I got my orchid repotted! What now?
Dear Friends!
I did it, I got my big Cattleya orchid repotted! It was a huge job and took me about three hours of hard work. I tried to use all the tips you had given me.
The roots were growing around and around inside and outside of the pot. I smashed the pot with a hammer but still had a hard time getting it out.
Finally, I was able to remove the pot which was plastic, and then I started cleaning up the roots. I took out the remainder of the old media. I was basically left with something that looked like a ring. All the plant and roots on the ring and an empty middle.
I had bought a nice 10 inch clay pot. It wasn't a really deep one. I bought media that had large fir bark chips, charcoal and lava rock. I didn't cut off the long roots just as you suggested even though the orchid books I read suggested that I cut them to 6 inches. But they were soft from the soaking and I put them in the pot.
It looks nice now although some of the pseudobulbs are pretty close to the edges of the pot. I think there are 8 pseudobulbs in all.
I poured water through the pot again today because it seemed so dry. (I repotted on Friday)
How should I treat the orchid now?Should I keep it moist? Should I put it back where it used to be (it was back a ways from a south window, upstairs. It did seem to thrive there)?
When might I expect a little growth from it?
Thanks for all your help. I love growing plants and keeping them alive and thriving!
All the best, Shira