How badly does the plant need to be repotted? Is the potting mix in bad shape or has the plant far outgrown the pot?

If seeing the plant in bloom this year is a priority, and the potting mix isn't in bad shape, then I would leave it as is.

If the potting mix is rotting, you're putting the plant at risk by not repotting, and in all likelihood this might cause it to skip blooming anyway -- particularly with the added stress of acclimating to new growing conditions.

You're right, though. If the new roots are emerging, then this is the time to repot. A lot of times I try to repot newly acquired plants ASAP no matter what, just because I feel more confident when they're in my mix. Plus, repotting allows you to see how healthy the root system is, and is useful for eliminating any pests (like snails and slugs) that may have hitched a ride home on the plant.

Hi digitalphrag,
The front psuedobulb with a sheath is growing over the edge of the pot and and it has overhanging roots that are damaged abit from shipping(I think)I spray these daily and I have already fertilized the catt, making sure the overgrown roots get some fetilizer plus superthrive (one drop per gallon).
I have already sprayed with neem oil 2 times in 7 days with the rest of the orchids.
I'm in a quandry about this because its going to be a drastic change for the plant.
The potting mix is old and breaking down but I would think that would be ok for a few more months.
If it wasnt already in sheath it would be repotted by now.
I'm guessing that by July-August it might be blooming. It still show NO sign of buds, just 2 sheaths.
It is frustrating.....

There is a simple solution to this problem, just find a larger pot and place the smaller pot within the larger pot and put a sparse amount of mix in the gap between the two pots to stop movement.

I do it all the time, especially for those hybrids that seem to want grow over the edge in a hurry. (Cattleya walkeriana influence)

Given your situation and desire to see the plant bloom, I'd follow arthurm's advice.

Also, from personal experience, I'd drop the superthrive from the regular treatment regimen when the plant is sheathing up and/or developing buds. The reason I recommend this is because several orchid friends and I have found a higher incidence of deformed blooms on plants that have been treated with superthrive (or any product containing hormones) during floral development. This is purely an anecdotal observation, but after carefully following this rule, I haven't had any issues.

Thank you arthrum and digitalphrag for this timely
information.
I dont use that much superthrive (just one drop per gallon a week) but will think about stopping even that amount.

I've never had a problem repotting catts in sheath. Since it is producing new roots now is the optimal time. You don't know when the plant will fill the sheaths since some carry them for months. Broken down media plus summer could cause problems down the road.

I use Superthrive and fertilizer every watering and never have noticed deformed blooms on anything I grow. The only change in my fertilizer program is reducing the amount of fertilizer by half for winter.

Brooke

The growing roots are a tip-off that this is the time to repot. The plant wants to grow, and is expending it's energy doing just that, and repotting shouldn't be stressful. As Brooke says, repotting catts in sheath should be no problem, because it can be months before the plant will set out buds.

If you become too concerned with having blooms you stand a chance of losing the whole plant.

Time to repot. Once you see new root growth, it's time. Don't worry about the sheaths, they will be fine.

Time to repot. Just being in sheath does not mean that an orchid is going to bloom soon. Buds would be a different story entirely. While waiting for the plant to finish blooming some time in the future, you would miss this optimum period of new root growth and, by repotting at a later stage, may even set the plant back.

As a note, I have plants in sheath now which I know don't bloom at least until the fall. I am repotting those with new root growth now (whew! I am so tired of repotting these plants, especially the big honkin' Catts that you need an axe to hack apart)

Wow, some very different opinions.
I wish I knew what time of year Lc White Spark "Panda" blooms. Anyone know or is it one of the "various" types?
Probably should start another thread for that.

I have already put it in another pot with freshly soaked bark to stabilize both pots.
Hmmm....its true that it doesnt have buds yet. Maybe I'll go ahead and repot tomorrow.
Well, thank you everyone for contributing!

Not so much an opinion, it is what i do if i do not want to repot. The last orchid that had this treatment was Lc. Ecstasy 'Orchidglade' found in bud in my shade-house. Now that it has finished blooming it will do nothing till spring, so it will have to remain it a pot within a pot till then. (autumn here)

Now what happens if you have a pot within a pot and do nothing for a year or so ....well i have to report that it will continue to grow happily and even bloom nicely but the day of reckoning is coming so i will have to cut away bits of pot and unscramble an overgrown mess of a plant in spring. Best flowering ever of my Cattleya Chocolate Drop seedling.

So you have to interpret what is written here by various posters and apply it to your growing situation.

Sorry, i do not know what time of the year Lc. White Spark 'Panda' blooms. If you have enough "cattleyas" there will always be something in bloom with perhaps Autumn being peak blooming period and early summer being the leanest time for blooms.

All the above were excellent suggestions. Any one will work. It has to be your decision. I have repotted with things in flower and in sheath. and not had a problem. You just have to be careful. If you elect to repot soak everything in lukewarm water for a good I hour before you start. This will soften up the roots and you should be able to carefully just dump the plant out of the pot. I then take it to the sink and let the water run thru the roots and get as much of the old media out. Don't forget the Orchid is getting nothing from the media it is there to hold the plant upright. So when you put new media in don't ram it in. Orchids need more air space than media. If you are really concerned mount it and put spagnum moss around the roots. You do that and you will just about have to mist it daily or at least every second day.

Thank you all for the information.
I've decide to go ahead and repot, since no buds are showing...