Soak before repotting?

[Sharyn]

I have some catts. that definitly will need repotting in the very distant future. They're in 3 1/2" pots and very pot-bound. I still need to get some media and supplies but would like to know:

If the catt. is very pot bound and media very hard, should the plant be soaked first for a period of time (perhaps in SuperThrive or whatever) before removing dead roots & repotting?

[mayres]

You got my vote! This makes everything separate much easier.

[Aniko]

Soaking also makes the roots more flexible, you'll be able to bend them without braking.

[Sharyn]

Thanks guys. I will be soon be a surgeon-soaker. How long do you suggest I soak these orchids, overnight? The medium is really tough. I think Jerry told me that there's probably a lot of cocconut husks in this mixture from Hawaii. To me, it's like concrete!

[mayres]

I'd think it won't take longer than an hour or two? :-) It takes longer and more effort, but I have actually found that by taking some of my plants to the sink when cleaning the roots of media I can use the water from the tap to help in the process of cleaning - washing away media fragments - only 20-30 minutes preceding this method seems to work for me. There may be better ways and/or reasons not to do this (?) but so far all has gone well. Enjoy! mike

[kmarch]

I'm with mayres. I think a couple of hours should be enough. I usually give my plants a heavy watering then let them sit for a couple of hours. the roots can then soak it up a little and are more pliable and less likely to snap. I don't know what kind of pot your plants are in but I often break the pot (if clay) or cut it away (if plastic) then soak and water.

Happy Growing!

-Kevin

Make sure the water is room temperature or warmer, but not hot.

[kmarch]

Exellent point, orchid126! Some of these details become habit and we don't even think about them.