When to repot

[FrankP999]

I have a Epicattleya Rene Marques 'Tyler' that is putting out two new growths. It also has a flower about to open. It needs to be repotted.

When is the best time to repot? Should I wait until the flower is finished? Or repot now since it has two new stalks starting to form?

Thanks

Frank

[Ray]

Hi Frank.

When I was a new grower, an old timer told me that "A plant's blooming is its expression of its sexuality. How'd you like to be kicked out of bed while expressing yours?".

Point taken... Repotting may affect the blooming, potentially causing the plant to abort the flowers altogether.

However, if the potting medium is so far gone that it's risking the plant's health, go for it.

[FrankP999]

The media is OK but the plant is at the edge of the pot and needs room to grow.

[Ray]

Then wait, and repot when new growth (and new roots) begin to emerge.

[Bud]

or put it in a bigger pot and pour media in it without disturbing the old roots...a pot inside a pot...catts and maybe epicatts sulk and they might skip bloom next year if you disturb its roots so much...

[Shiffdaddy]

Agree with everything Ray said! I'd wait, no need to kick that poor plant out of bed.

Ben

[Leafmite]

If you are satisfied that the medium is good and know the roots aren't in any danger, I would just do as Bud suggests and drop it into a larger pot, then fill with medium. Personally, I have had to repot quite a few orchids in bloom and haven't lost any flowers. The trick is: don't damage the roots. The task of repotting an orchid in bloom carefully enough not to harm roots can definitely be a pain/test of patience and is to be avoided when possible.
Leafmite

[Lagoon]

I would wait until its finished doing it thing. The only time I would repot if I had concern about pests or the media degrading. I say, wait it out for abit and enjoy those blooms.

[Masdyman]

I go on seasons, so I wouldn't repot when the roots have a good chance that they will just sit there and possibly rot, like late Autumn or Winter.

If potting on I don't really worry about the flowers as I don't disturb the roots that much. Obviously if dividing you wouldn't normally do this when in flower anyway.
If I had a orchid that needed dropping on and it was the right time of year then I would drop on, whether in flower or not.
I have yet to lose flowers with this philosophy.