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Help with repotting cattleya White Angel

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by AnnPaul, Nov 5, 2017.

  1. Nov 5, 2017 #1
    AnnPaul

    AnnPaul New Member

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    IMG_2955.JPG I'm a newbie repotting my first cattleya. I purchased from a nursery 30 days ago. When I took it out of its tiny pot, the roots are a solid rootball within sphagnum moss. My question is, should I disturb the roots, risking breakage as they're so entangled or can I just put in a larger pot with new media on the outside? Many thanks for any advice.
     
  2. Nov 5, 2017 #2
    carl

    carl Active Member

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    You need to get rid of the old medium. Try this: Pick some of the sphagnum out of the root ball, then put it in a bucket of water and vigorously shake it up and down. This will dislodge more medium. Lather, rinse, repeat.

    Now you can proceed with repotting in a medium that reflects both your plant's needs and your conditions and watering habits.
     
  3. Nov 6, 2017 #3
    AnnPaul

    AnnPaul New Member

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  4. Nov 6, 2017 #4
    AnnPaul

    AnnPaul New Member

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    Thank you, Carl. I guess I was hoping there was an easier way. ☺️ I did what you said and since it was such a tight hard ball of roots, I let it soak overnight first. Someone suggested using tweezers which worked like a charm. I also used a tiny-size knitting needle to pry open the roots to make the job easier. It took me four straight hours of picking. It's repotted and looks great. Thank you all so much. I couldn't have done it without you.