| I am probably too cautious with roots, but here's what I do: When repotting i gently give older, browner roots a gentle squeeze. If they are mushy or easily collapse, they are probably rotten and I gently pull them away. Often times the dead outer sleeve will slide off and leave a tough stringy core. I like to leave this because i believe it helps in anchoring the plant in the new mix. When putting the roots in the new pot and mix, I hold the plant and pot wiht one hand (a bit of a trick if the plant is big) and drop mix in with the other, occasionally banging the pot on the table to settle the mix in around the roots without me pushing it in and brusing good roots. When i have enough mix in, I press the mix down around the edges of the pot to firm it up a little more. I find this technique (which I learned from someone somewhere, I can't now remember) allows me to get the plant firmly anchored in the new pot/mix without crushing any good roots. For a Cattleya alliance plant like yours I'd make the top of the mix come level with the plants rhizome, the hard stem that connects one growth to another. If the plant is stilla little wobbly, clip it with a rhizome clip, available through many orchid nuseries and supply sources.
Oh, and I've never used the Super Thrive when repotting or at all for that matter. i'd like to hear more about his from those who use that technique.
cheers,
-Kevin  |