unpotting a Cattleya
the
unpotting a Cattleya
what you'll need:
click on photo to see a close-up
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| It's a good idea to begin every orchid potting session by sterilizing your cutting tools, that way you won't forget and cut a plant with a potentially contaminated tool. Remember to sterilize tools between each plant. | Using a rigid tool to work around the edge, leverage the orchid out of the old pot. If any roots are stuck to the outside of the pot you may use a knife or putty knife to gently pry them off. As always, be very careful not to break any new roots. | Once you have the plant out of the pot begin working the old media away from the roots with your fingers. As you begin to cut away old roots, it will be easier to remove. Although it is not essential to remove every little piece, clean as much out as you can to prevent any sourness in the new pot. |
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| Cut away any old or dead roots, be especially careful not to break any new green root tips. Old roots are either soft and mushy or dried and shriveled. The shears can be used with a slight twisting movement to work out any remaining potting media. | Once you get the root area fairly well cleaned up, it is time to inspect the plant and decide where you will cut if you intend to divide it. Always have at least 3-pseudobulbs (preferably 4 or 5) per division and at least one active growth. | Cut through the rhizome and pull the two pieces apart. Now it will be easier to remove any dead roots or old potting material that remains. A large plant may be divided into many pieces as long as each division has the requisite number of pseudobulbs and an active growth. |
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| Sometimes a division will have an old leafless pseudobulb that may be removed and still leave an ample number of bulbs. This makes for a better fit and allows for a more sensibly sized pot. | Repotting is the perfect time to give the orchid a general clean-up: Using a toothbrush dipped in rubbing alcohol scrub off the old sheaths covering the pseudo- bulbs. Cut off any old flower spikes. | When you're done cleaning up the orchid, use a cotton swab to dab a little fungicide on the cut parts of the rhizome in order to prevent infection. The Cattleya is now ready for potting. If you don't plan to pot it up immediately, be sure to tie a nametag on. |
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