cattleya repotting

[charity]

Hi, sorry ive been absent for a while. Covid had made my internet access difficult. Can anyone give me advice on repotting catts? I know they are picky about timing and I want to know how to get that just right.

PS, may have my first blooms coming and I need to post pics of the first blooms on my trichopilia tortilis

[raybark]

The best time to repot ANY plant is just as new roots have begun to emerge from the base of the plant. When that may be varies among genera and among species within a genus.

Be observant and you'll be fine.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Hi, sorry ive been absent for a while. Covid had made my internet access difficult. Can anyone give me advice on repotting catts? I know they are picky about timing and I want to know how to get that just right.

PS, may have my first blooms coming and I need to post pics of the first blooms on my trichopilia tortilis

This should help too. Glad to see you back and I look forward to the Trichopilia tortilis blooms!!

https://www.rv-orchidworks.com/orchi...attleya-Orchid

Cheers,
BD

[zainal abidin]

Good luck Charity with the info from Bruce.

[Yug]

That is also the best time to transfer to semi-hydro if you are so inclined.

[charity]

and in your opinion would this usually correspond to a certain stage in the pseudobulb's development? or does that vary from plant to plant as well?

[raybark]

It varies, even within a genus.

The way I handle it is through observation. If a plant needs to be repotted and the roots have emerged, I do so. If they have not, while I wait I “baby” the plant by carefully moistening the potting medium rather than flooding it.

[charity]

Ok. seems my catts have more than one root growth burst during bulb development. I will likely take the first one as the bulb just starting as my best bet.

[raybark]

Ok. seems my catts have more than one root growth burst during bulb development. I will likely take the first one as the bulb just starting as my best bet.

It's not a burst of root growth you're looking for, it's the emergence of new roots.

As roots grow, the cells grow in a way that is "tailored" to the environment so they can function optimally. Once they have grown, they cannot change. When you repot a plant, you are changing the root environment, so existing roots will no longer be optimal for it and will begin to fail. If the plant is growing brand new roots, they will be optimal for the new environment, so will take over supporting the plants as the old ones die.