Cattleya Division/repotting

[Gthumbz89]

I might have made a mistake with this one. It's roots were very unmanagable and impossible to sort out. I decided to divide it to fit it into a smaller pot, but in order to do that I chopped off half of its roots allot of them were from the new growths.

Do you guys think I made a mistake by cutting off roots from the good division in the process of removing the old one?

If I didnt do this though the division would not reduce the pot size of the plant at all because the root ball had taken the shape of the old pot.

Thanks.

[JScott]

That plant is far too small to divide. You should have left it in one piece and just got a bigger pot. That being said, what is done is done. As long as each division has at least some good roots, they will be fine.

For the most part, don't cut anything off that isn't already dead. This isn't an ideal situation for this plant, but it probably won't kill it, and it will recover.

I'm worried about the sphagnum moss. Do you have the plant potted in just sphagnum? Cattleyas like a lot of air to their roots so they can dry out, and sphagnum moss is not the right medium for that. A bark mix is a much better choice.

[Dollythehun]

I was told never to repot in bloom (except phals). I agree with JScott except I think I see some bark...

[Leafmite]

It depends....
If this orchid starts new pseudobulbs a few times a year, or is already starting new pseudobulbs (that have not yet developed roots), it should recover quickly, especially if you live somewhere warm.

The best time to pot up a new orchid is when new growth is almost ready to send out new roots. That way, it will establish quickly in a pot. When one is forced to re-pot at the wrong time and roots are damaged, one can either use a fungicide to protect the roots or keep the roots dry for a day or two until they heal. The roots of some Cattleyas will branch so even if you cut them, they might branch out from the broken part as long as they do not die (that is why they must be protected from infection until they heal).

[estación seca]

I would never cut off healthy roots, and I would go to great lengths to preserve them. Neither would I cut off roots when I could not tell whether they are alive or dead.

I also agree the plant was too small to divide. That will not kill it, but it will prevent it from blooming wonderfully for another few years.

[Leafmite]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I would never cut off healthy roots, and I would go to great lengths to preserve them. Neither would I cut off roots when I could not tell whether they are alive or dead.

I also agree the plant was too small to divide. That will not kill it, but it will prevent it from blooming wonderfully for another few years.

I agree. Unfortunately, what is done is done so now it is imperative to preserve what roots are left to help sustain the orchid and give it the best chance of recovery.

[estación seca]

I might add... almost all Cattleya alliance plants only form new roots from the most recent growth. Sometimes they make roots just before pushing new vegetative growth; sometimes just after; and sometimes in between. The most recent roots probably do more water and nutrient uptake than all the old ones combined, so it is very important to protect recent roots on Cattleyas.

If you cut them off more than once or twice, that growth will die. There is a chance dormant eyes will make new growth from back bulbs, and these will make new roots. But you must be extremely careful with roots on the most recent growth of a Cattleya, especially if it is actively making roots.

[Gthumbz89]

The sphag shouldn't be an issue because there is layers of tera cotta pot shards and volcanic pumice as media

All my catts go crazy for a layer of sphag as long as I allow it to dry completely.

Yeah, I thought it was a mistake, but I wanted to experiment and see what happens with the next growth.

That flower is on its way out. It will make new roots soon.

Thanks for your thoughts. Time will tell if she will bloom anytime soon again.

[Leafmite]

Good luck!