How I repot my Cattleya's

[plucker]

Hi everyone,

I see a lot of people asking how to repot some orchids. I use the following techniques on Catts and Phals with a fair amount of success in my environment.

The only difference between the two is that I use more spagnum moss for the phals.

Anyway here it is.

Step 1.
Select orchid for repotting.


Step 2
I spray rubbing alcohol everywhere.



step 3
I prepare the cutting implements by spraying in rubbing alcohol then flaming for virus removal.
I spray the rubbing alcohol on the implement to help cool down and as a secondary measure. - never can be too careful.


Step 4
Remove orchid from pot.


Step 5
Remove all the old media from the root system and discard. I give the roots a fair shaking up which might scare some people.


Step 6
Remove old dead roots and dead psudobulbs.
Usually the dead roots are at the back end or the oldest psuobulb end of the plant. I even shorten the roots so they fit. This doesn't seem to affect the plant if it is healthy.


Step 7
Spray entire root system and plant with the rubbing alcohol. I dont dilute it at all. This step kills any bugs that you may not see.

Step 8
I spray the inside of the new pot with rubbing alcohol.

Step 9
Put some foam in the bottom of the pot. This helps dry and air the medium out between waterings and is really important.


Step 10
I add a bit of lava rock or volcanic rock but normal rock would be fine too. I usually bring the media up to the 1/2 way mark.


Step 11
Add a wee bit of charcoal. This is good for the plant.


Step 12
Put a fine layer of good Spag over the medium.
I soak the spag in a 1/2 strength solution of fertilizer and squeeze dry before use.


Step 13
Place the plant in with the trimmed roots on the spag. The layer of spag doesn't seem to make the roots break and is a soft landing.
Make sure you put the oldest end of the plant against the pot and the newest growth in the middle.
The pot you selected should see 2 years growth out the front.


Step 14
Top up with loose spag.


Step 15
Put some rock over the top to hold things in place.
It is important not to top the rocks up to the top of the pot as the spag seems to expand and push them up naturally.


Step 16
Probably hard to see, but I put a wee bit of Magamp slow release fertilizer on the top. This stuff doesnt flood the plant with nitrogen in summer like other brands do.


Step 17
I tie the plant in to the hanger that I use and get all the leaves tucked in. This stops movement until the roots have established in the new home.
If I have time I water in but am not too worried with catts. It doesnt seem to make any difference.


Step 18
I spray the rubbing alcohol everywhere and reflame the tools ready for next time.

For the record this orchid had just finished flowering. Rlc. Aloha Mishima

[Hummer344]

Nice demo for repotting. Thanks

[maria1971]

Thanks for the demo!

It's always interesting to see other people's potting methods. If I added moss, my plants would die a soggy death.

[kmarch]

Excellent demo! Thanks for taking the time to photograph an post!

[NancyG]

Thanks. It is always helpful to see other people's methods.

[trinigirl]

What a wonderful tutorial Plucker!

I wonder what kind of flame tool you use, could you show a pic of it? Thanks.

[Steve Roebuck]

That was excellant,I,m more than game to have a go myself now...Thank You..Steve

[BluPeaches]

Great tutorial. Now someone needs to post one about repotting phrags. LOL

[plucker]

Originally Posted by trinigirl

What a wonderful tutorial Plucker!

I wonder what kind of flame tool you use, could you show a pic of it? Thanks.

In step 3 my flame tool sits beside the cutting tool. It is a refillable type with an igniter, and throws out a blue flame about 3cm.

[katrina]

Very informative thread! I always enjoy learning how others grow and care for their 'chids. Thanks for taking the time to put this together.

[orchids4me]

Great tutorial,
Never thought to use sphag in the media mix.
Thanks
Emmaye

[digitalgate]

you need to tie the plant down. A shaking or moving plant is a slow growing plant.
something like this

[plucker]

I agree with you digitalgate about tying the plant in.

The media I use supports the root system and the tie wire around my hanger system prevents any movement from the plant whatsoever. This promotes growth and lessens the shock of transplanting.

[plucker]

11 Months has passed since I repotted this plant. It tried to throw out a flower in December which looked average at best.
The plant has just flowered again and on the second day, before I could take a photo, we had a heap of rain which has spoiled the flowers to some extent.

Anyway this is what things look like now. Still smells terrific.