Advise Please on repotting LC hybrid

[Stargazer997]

Hi, I have what seems to be a very pot bound LC Exotic Smile 'Spring Sensation'. It's done blooming. The medium seems very hard, which I've learned on the forum I probably should soak before repotting. But can someone advise what is the best medium to use? It appears to have quite a bit of moss on top. In a very small pot - 2.5 inches.
Thanks!!

[janet_a]

disclaimer: i don't do catts

that said, i have my two in coarse bark. pull your moss off the top--maybe yours is in bark too. in which case i'd go up to a 4 inch pot in bark.

[Stargazer997]

Thanks Janet!
I'm game. What do you think, can you tell by the photo if those exposed roots are dead? They are very charcoal gray and DRY!

[kmarch]

In the wild many Cattleya alliance orchids grow on trees in tropical-ish regions meaning their roots get soaked during a rain then dry out. So we try to recreate this in a pot by coming up wiht a mix that is open and fresh, that we can drench but that will drain well so the roots don't sit in water.

I pot my Cattleyas and Laeliocattleyas in a mix of medium and large bark, charcoal (to keep it fresh) and medium perelite. I water them once a week on average (sometimes a little less in the winter if it is damp) and fertilize when in active growth.

Happy Growing!

-Kevin

[Stargazer997]

Thanks! I think I have just the mix! Another new venture into my orchid 101 knowledge, attempt.

Stargazer

[Stargazer997]

Oh, one more question! So, is it agreed that if roots need to be removed, cut, whatever that one should use like SuperThrive when repotting? Or nothing? Sorry, just trying to assimilate all the info I'm finding!

[kmarch]

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

In addition to what kmarch says, I use a skewer or a pencil to poke/tamp the medium in between and around the roots. I also use a simlar mix. Remember to soak the medium for a couple of hours before using it. I do use either Superthrive (one drop to a gallon of water) or Dyna-Grow KLN per the directions on the bottle when repotting and for another watering thereafter.

[janet_a]

Originally Posted by orchid126

In addition to what kmarch says, I use a skewer or a pencil to poke/tamp the medium in between and around the roots.

i use my fingers but then i'm a masochist.

also, i let my bark soak for at least 48 hrs--seems to work better that way. (but then, i buy cheap bark; the good stuff may not need such a long presoak.)

Don't repot your orchid until it's actively growing, otherwise it may sulk for a year or more. Check the roots to see if they're active.