When to Repot Vigorous Oncidium?

[Zabeta]

Hi everyone,

I have a plant that I believe is a Colmanara Masai 'Red.' It looked like this when I bought it about 7 or 8 months ago:



I repotted it in coconut husk. Now, it is growing a new shoot and has grown many new roots and its pseudobulb has filled out, despite the fact that I have barely fertilized it, if at all (I've been using an organic foliar spray, which I've read may not even have much of an impact on orchids):





It is in a small pot, and I'm beginning to worry that with the new growth producing roots, the pot will be too tight by the time it blooms. (Will attach a picture of the pot in a separate post). It seems like it won't bloom for months, by which time it will have produced many more roots than it already has.

My question is, does this look like a problem? Should I repot now, or wait until after it blooms?

Thanks!

[Zabeta]

And here is the pot:

[78Terp]

No repotting necessary at this time, IMO.

Many orchids prefer to be root/pot bound.

And, IMO, it has a long way to go before I would call it pot bound. There appears to be plenty of room where the new growth is happening to go with at least one more new growth before repotting.

[Zabeta]

Oh, wow - I never would have thought that another growth could fit in there. This was really helpful, thank you 78Terp.

[jai_star]

I agree this could be the last growth before it needs repot next season. Even then repot it into a pot that is enough for two seasons growth never too big and perhaps you can then clean out any black old p.bulbs.

[Zabeta]

Thanks, Jai Star. I guess I'll see how full the pot is after this season, and if I repot I'll be sure not to go overboard. Your advice is much appreciated. :-)

[raybark]

Hmmm.... I see some good responses here, but they all say "not now", rather than actually answering your original question, so I'll take a stab at it:

The best time to repot ANY plant is just as new root tips are emerging from the base of the plant. In sympodial plants like this, that corresponds to the emergence of new growth. That timing is important, as that allows those new roots to 'tailor" themselves to the new conditions in the pot, while the older roots, being optimal for the "old" conditions, may not do as well.

[Carolla]

I agree with all... Raybark for why and the others for when. Most orchids seem to prefer to be left alone and not disturbed any more than necessary too. I see plenty of room for it to grow more and its only been in its current media for less than a year, let it grow! I've given myself more trouble than not, setting back plants or even killing them by repotting too much and particularly at the wrong time. Your plant looks very happy and healthy - good work!

[Zabeta]

Thanks, everyone! This has been my easiest orchid to take care of since I began acquiring them not super long ago. I've had to let it go dry a couple times when I was out of town, and I had it in a dark-ish place for a while, but no matter what, it seems to be able to take it in stride without complaint. I'm dying with anticipation to see it bloom, and I just don't want to do anything to screw it up! :-) So I really appreciate all the input. Fingers crossed.