C. dowiana - clues on mature growth

[Roberta]

The time to repot is when the new roots just start to appear (the first little bumps). Based on what those new roots (now too long to disturb) look like, the time to repot was 2 months ago or more. You might want to put a note on a tag in the pot, to remind yourself to start looking for new roots in September 2024. Repotting time likely would be late September to early October. (That's why a lot of people kill this species, repotting in the fall is not intuitive but that is the correct time, done at other times can be deadly)

[My Green Pets]

Congratulations! Seeing that first sheath must be so exciting. I know I'm excited for you!

I agree the minimal disturbance would be best if you want to maximize your chances of seeing a bloom on the next growth. I think that you could repot the plant now, however the loss and breakage of too many roots will lead to the plant needing a recovery period in which the bulbs will shrivel significantly, thus taking away valuable resources it could put into new growth and flowers.

Since dowiana roots after the new growth is complete, you may find that the next best time to repot will also coincide with the plant being in flower (or shortly after). This again is tricky, because the plant will have to divert resources into recovery that it would have saved through its rest period.

The good news is that with proper conditions, dowiana is a vigorous plant and will recover quickly.

Can't wait to see your new spring growths and sheaths! Fingers crossed we'll see your first flowers by summer!