Help needed, thanks

[orchidea]

Hello all!
Haven't been on the forum for ages.
Need help from someone who grows in Hydroponic pebbels.
This is the most beautiful Catt I have for years now.
It's overgrown the pot obviously.
What would you do with so many good roots outside?
It is in Hydropone right now.
THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Fishmom]

One of the good Catt. growers in my orchid society places a second pot next to the first one in cases like this. The roots can acclimate to being in medium while being supported by the parent plant. In time, a division can take place without setting the second plant back, simply by severing the lead between the two pots. This is assuming that you are willing to divide the plant.

If not, I suggest going to the Dollar Store ( or someplace similar) and looking for a storage canister that will accept the whole plant. Many of them are rectangular, so they will take a plant that has a sprawling growth habit. Drill your own holes where you want them and you will be good to go.

This picture shows a big Fdk. in a homemade semi-hydroponic pot. You can see two holes have been drilled about 2 inches up the side to create a reservoir. It has worked very well for this plant.

[orchidea]

Thank you so much.
I have done things like you suggest over the years, but noticed that new beautiful roots that hang outside the pot usually die inside the medium when potted in the bigger pot.
I just don't want to screw this one up. I wanted to try to repot into a regular bark medium, just take what is there, shake it a little and place it into semi-dry bark, but worried too. Is that the method you call semi-hydroponic?

I guess, after your suggestion, I will go with a bigger HP pot. I have a big plastic tub from Costco's biscotties (hehe). Wish me luck!
I'll post the results.
Thank you Fishmom!!!!!

[Fishmom]

Semi-hydroponic growing is not just using bark or clay pebbles. It involves keeping a constant reservoir of water at the bottom of the pot, which wicks up to provide moisture in an airy environment to the roots. You said you grow in hydroponic pebbles, so I though that was what you were doing. You will find information on this kind of growing at :Semi-Hydroponics™ - First Rays LLC I suggest you read this material before moving the plant.

Ray warns that old roots may not adapt to this new way of growing, so he advises moving a plant only when new roots are growing. If you want to maintain the plant at its present large size, it might be safer to repot in conventional bark. A homemade pot might still work well for you, with holes for drainage and air flow. Be careful that it isn't too deep, since catts want to dry out between waterings and depth will slow the wet-dry cycle.