skip to main content

How do I know when to repot?

15 years ago

I just bought a Masdevallia Orchid and a Cattleya orchid at the Pacific orchid exposition today. Fun....

The vendor of the Masdevallia told me to repot in a year and a half. I can do that. How do I know when to repot cattleyas? I have 2 dinky ones I bought last year, and today's is about 3 times bigger, both plant and pot.

I have a zygonara from last year which is happy enough that it's sent up a nice fat new leaf spike thingie (forgive the technical term). How do I know when it needs to be repotted? I looked on the FAQ page, but nothing appears to address that particular issue. Will I see roots coming out the top of the pot?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

richardol
15 years ago
Plants need to be repotted primarily to refresh the potting medium. Your Masd was probably recently repotted. If it was in sphagnum moss, as are many Masd, the moss breaks down with the constant moisture. My plants would be happier if I replaced sphagnum every year, but I never let it go more than two.

Is the Cattleya in bark? What Cattleya is it? Bark lasts longer so two or three years might be ok. If the roots get too dense, repotting can set them back. Repot a Catt when new roots are forming.
minflick
Original Author
15 years ago
Sorry for the no response, I set the page to tell me about responses, but never got one...

Yes, cattleyas are in bark.
1st cattleya - tag says: T-4368 Blc (Daybreak x Toshie Aoki) The Light. A root is showing up at the rim of the pot, plant look great and healthy - still in last year's pot I bought it in, 1.5".

2nd - T-3673 Lc. Mildred Rives 'Orchidglade' AM/AOS Just repotted as it wasn't doing well in old pot. Newer pot is a little larger, newer (but coarser) bark, starting to perk up a bit.

3rd - WV 954 C. Loddigesii I see a root coming out the bottom of the pot, plant looks great, has lots of 'stems' with leaves that look healthy.

Also, I haven't found the fine orchid bark my plant came in at my local nurseries, any tips on where to find it? What's billed as fine is about 3 times bigger than what's in the pots now.
Related Discussions
Neps go outside?
Q
Comments (4)
*Your Nepenthes may be growned outside, However.. they don't really like strong sun light; they prefer filtered light or indirect light area. Full sunlight may burn the foilage of the plant and pitchers. people usually grow these plants in windowsills that recieve a few hours of filtered indirect light and they do fine. if i would grow my nepenthes outside i would hang it under tree branches that recieve filtered lighting.. just don't expose your nepenthes to strong sunlight for a long time. *Sphagnum moss.. well to me, is the prefered media to grow these Pither plants because the drainage works quite well. Nepenthes grow fine in sphagnum moss alone. or peatmoss + sand mix and lava rock or pumice. but many people prefer sphagnum, not all. Once you Over-head water your plant, make sure to mist its leaves and pitchers to create high humidity. this will make the plant to thrive and make pitchers. *Repotting, that depends how long you been having your plant in that same pot you recieved it. Nepenthes have small root systems. they are usually repotted every two years (or whenever they outgrow the pot they are growing) Good luck.
...See More
When do I start watering after re-potting?
Q
Comments (9)
I second what David said. And I think it depends on how hard the repot is on the plant. When I am pulling a plant out of gritty mix the mix falls off easily and I dont have to make sure I get all the old media off, so its easier on the plant. So, I only need to wait 4-7 days. In contrast, if I am dealing with a repot from a new purchase, with compacted soil stuck to all the roots, and I have to detangle the roots and get it all off, then I make sure to give the plant at least 10 days before watering. It will definitely be harder on the plant, and it needs that time to heal.
...See More
When should I expect seeds from this Lithops? How do I know?
Q
Comments (17)
Male and female flowers are not common. The Dioscorea is an exception, not the rule for cacti and succulents. Another exception are the Euphorbias. Treat most cacti and succulents as having both male and female parts on each flower. I think a single plant is usually either male or female if the flowers are only one sex.
...See More
how do I know which toilet to purchase when i renovate my bathroom?
Q
Comments (2)
Buy a toilet in your price range that gets good reviews. Standard toilets have a 12" rough-in, meaning that the center of the drain is about 12" from the back wall. If yours is different from this by, say, 1"-2" you might need to order a toilet with a different size rough-in. There are dozens of discussions here on GardenWeb where people discuss the "best" toilets, and you should use the search function here to read through those.
...See More
mehitabel
15 years ago
If your catts have grown from little things to 3 times as large, the larger bark should be appropriate. Small bark is used for little guys til they get established.

However, you can get hobby sized bags of fine bark at Oak Hill. Their shipping is reasonable.

Related Stories

FURNITURE Know When to Fold 'Em

When space is tight, look for furniture that cleverly collapses, expands or fills more than one role

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING What You Need to Know When Considering a Cabana or Covered Patio

By Matt Clawson

Learn how to plan for a covered outdoor structure, what features are available to you, how much it will cost and more

FUN HOUZZ Everything I Need to Know About Decorating I Learned from Downton Abbey

Mind your manors with these 10 decorating tips from the PBS series, returning on January 5

CONTRACTOR TIPS Building Permits: When a Permit Is Required and When It's Not

By Matt Clawson

In this article, the first in a series exploring permit processes and requirements, learn why and when you might need one

REMODELING GUIDES When to Use Engineered Wood Floors

See why an engineered wood floor could be your best choice (and no one will know but you)

KITCHEN APPLIANCES What to Consider When Adding a Range Hood

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Get to know the types, styles and why you may want to skip a hood altogether

TASTEMAKERS Book to Know: Design Advice in Greg Natale’s ‘The Tailored Interior’

By Grace Chamia

The interior designer shares the 9 steps he uses to create cohesive, pleasing rooms

HOUZZ TOURS Get to Know the Hillsborough Home

0

COLOR Have You Heard the Hues? 15 Colors You May Not Know About

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Name-drop these shades at holiday parties — or better, try one on your walls — and expand your palette possibilities

BATHROOM DESIGN How to Know if an Open Bathroom Vanity Is for You

By Becky Harris

Ask yourself these questions to learn whether you’d be happy with a vanity that has open shelves

Sponsored

More Discussions

My first keiki!

2

Will Orchid stem regrow? NEWBIE

7

New spikes and terminal spike on orchid.

12

Orchid root rot

1

Source for Cypripedium formosanum?

1