How to Divide & Repot Cattleya Orchids | Easy Repotting Tips for Beginners

[@orchidquest]

Just like media, choice of pot is exactly that--a choice. Clear pots are helpful for beginners to see what is happening with their plant. But terra cotta is useful for heavy waterers or us Southerners who can put some orchids outdoors. I loved watching the division! Very helpful since I have a massive plant that needs some downsizing. Thank you!

[@NicoleDeanna]

I agree with you! I think you should work with the materials you are comfortable with and it all depends on your environment and your style. I'm really glad the video was helpful!

[@karengeorge5959]

I use both Terra Cota and clear pots with slits. Like them both. Just getting into Slipper Orchids and Phrags. Tolumnia are one of my favorite orchids!!!! I love them so pretty and manageable size

[@WanderingBobAK]

Explanation of cutting rhizome was clear. What I do is only partially (mostly), cut the rhizome when planning to divide in the future. That way there is still some "communication/moisture transfer" from the newer rhizome until a new eye begins to grow roots. Not sure that makes a difference, but it works for me.

[@barblucas2539]

Im so happy that i saw your video today very much information on my cattleya . I see your cattleya has some of those brown looking leaves and some stems are wrinkles like mine, i was told it had black rot, But i see you just cut it off , called it old plant. Thanks very much 😀 for the great video i learned alot, new at this 😀 😄 👍

[@NicoleDeanna]

I'm glad you liked it! Yeah this plant has spots on it from the light. I ended up cutting off the back bulbs to create more room in the pot. It's still in that pot :)

[@michaelmccarthy4077]

That's been my experience with up-potting/slip potting orchids, the variable dry rate between the old media and new media causes the old roots to die because they end up staying wetter. The pot in pot method seems to work a little better (especially in clear pots) because you can selectively water.

[@NicoleDeanna]

Agreed. I don't mind though, because the roots that die seem to be the old ones and it makes it easier to remove. Give me new roots and growths and I'm haircut happy ✂️✂️✂️✂️

[@miss30427]

🎉🎉Thank you for sharing your experience with repotting cattleya orchids. Your reasoning was clear and easy to understand. Thank you for the pace delivering your thoughts along with each new root cutting you made, which was VERY helpful to me.😊🎉🎉

[@NicoleDeanna]

I'm so glad it was helpful ❤️

[@sylviabeichert943]

Thanks for this great video. How soon after cutting off dead roots & dividing a plant do you water?

[@NicoleDeanna]

@@sylviabeichert943 just a few days later, I watered without fertilizer for about a month

[@WaterspoutsOfTheDeep]

It's ironic the biggest lesson you probably gave here is you don't have to keep everything you buy. Our time and energy is finite. Try out lots of stuff but after you know how the plants are like, keep the ones that get you excited and happy. Share and give away the rest. Don't get hung up on keeping stuff just because you bought it or even if the plant is nice, just keep what makes you happy in your collection. Started doing that and it feels so much more enjoyable.

[@NicoleDeanna]

Agreed 💯 it's best not to get overwhelmed with so many. Taking care of them and repotting is a lot of work. If you can't keep up with that the collection suffers. It's ok to give some away. Thanks for watching ❤️

[@gloriayoung6219]

❤ enjoy sharing mine as well❤

[@heidilecompte4198]

Couldn’t agree more!

[@emmanuelV37]

Loved the video!! Best I've seen explaining how to repot a cattleya! Very informative!

[@NicoleDeanna]

I'm so glad ❤️ thank you!

[@glovanajnbaptiste2272]

Love how you divided it. I think they will both do well. Your friend is very lucky . Its a pity i am not near by cause i would have tried to grow the discarded piece 🤗

[@NicoleDeanna]

😊 I'm glad to share with anyone local.

[@lindaannb]

I always love your repotting videos. You have so much information to share! I’m getting ready to share a fast-growing paphiopedilum with 3 friends. I definitely don’t need all 5 divisions and it is such a pleasure to share with friends who appreciate orchids.

[@NicoleDeanna]

Thanks so much ❤️❤️❤️ I totally agree, it's lovely to share the divisions. A lot of my collection is divisions from others and they are special. Have a wonderful weekend 😊

[@shirleyholt898]

Hi Nicole. You did a nice job on your repot. I had given up on using clay pots , but you inspired me to try again. I enjoyed the video. 👏❤️🤗🥰

[@NicoleDeanna]

Thank you Shirley ❤️❤️ Let me know how it goes! I just go heavier on the moss. I almost gave them up too but for cattleyas and Vandas they work well. With Oncidiums, I just can't keep up with watering.

[@LuNacyGoose]

You're so generous to give the newer division with the better root system to your friend! And I completely trust that you know what you're doing, but my heart was still beating fast during those cutting clips 😂

[@NicoleDeanna]

Thank you ❤️❤️

[@allenlivera1611]

Lots of helpful info. Thank you!

[@renatecormick7399]

Hi Nicole, I have a Burana Beauty which was meant to be flowering size but in over 12 months has done nothing but grow new bulbs. I decided to repot it and found it is actually 2 plants (probably to make the pot look fuller). So rather than put it back outside the 2 plants are now living under grow lights. Hopefully that will now give me some blooms. Thank you for showing us this lovely little orchid, I’ll be looking out for updates.

[@NicoleDeanna]

Ugh, when there are two plants in the pot, or more it's nice, but the plants are definitely younger than you think. Hopefully they bloom for you this year! Thanks for watching :)

[@newmanmansell760]

I love yellow, red and orange, pink cattleya flowers😌🙏💞I have divided cattleya before and I use hydrogen peroxide and spray the plant and roots after cutting and cleaning up the plant before repotting. It stops any fungi reaching a cut point and entering the cattleya😌🙏💞I enjoyed watching🤲🌟

[@NicoleDeanna]

Thank you so much ❤️

[@richardlawton1023]

Thanks, i just received one of these yesterday. My roots were not anywhere close to as vigorous as yours. I used large and medium bark,jumbo perlite, charcoal ,a small amount of moss and a few lecca. Thanks

[@NicoleDeanna]

Glad it was helpful. It's a vigorous plant and should do well in your care with that setup.

[@rvaldes90]

Hi Nicole! Thank you for this video! Great info. When it comes to cutting the rhizomes, is there anything special that needs to be done to the cut end of the rhizomes? Let it callous? Candle wax? My fear is leaving a big wound will create a source of entry for rot. Thank you!

[@NicoleDeanna]

I didn't do anything with mine and haven't had issues after dividing, but some people cover the wound in cinnamon and let it dry before potting it up. Thanks for watching!

[@rosiefoster8106]

Thanks for the vid. How often (per year) would you say yours bloom? Any tips on how to get them to bloom more frequently?

[@NicoleDeanna]

It depends, some of the vigorous hybrid bloom about 4x-6x per year, some of the species just once per year. To bloom f more frequently, get a complex hybrid id say. The Richard Mueller hybrids bloom often for me

[@weluvorchids7928]

Great Repot Nicole! She is a beauty. 😍IVP

[@NicoleDeanna]

Thank you 😊

[@wandashaw3551]

Hi Nicole, I have this orchid, too and I love it, her smell is amazing!! So far, I have two new canes and hoping they give me buds!!

[@NicoleDeanna]

Nice! It's a good one and smells so delicious 😋 I hope you get buds on both canes!

[@CTcatfur]

Hi Deanna, off topic, I saw your neo/ vanda post on IG. Do you have that one in semi hydro? I have one in bark and she bloomed last year but doesn’t look like she’s even thinking about it now. Was thinking of changing her up.

[@NicoleDeanna]

I do have her in semi hydro. Unfortunately semi hydro hasn't worked out for most of my Vandas in the long run and I lost a few of them, so I'll be moving it to moss in a clay pot when it's done blooming.

[@Dea311]

We have a cat in a 10 inch hanging wood box badly needs dividing. It has been very happy there and has bloomed profusely. What do you think about these slatted boxes for repotting?

[@NicoleDeanna]

It sounds airy, I say go for it. I hate disturbing happy plants but if has to be done, it sounds like it's a similar environment and should work!

[@zakuradragon]

My Cattleya Burana Beauty has mold around its roots after repotting. I used hydrogen peroxide but it comes back. Do you know a good way to get rid of mold?

[@NicoleDeanna]

It happens sometimes and usually resolves itself once you let the pot dry a few days It's happened to me with a cattleya before that dumped its roots and would stay too wet after watering (wasn't absorbing the moisture). It went away once I let the pot dry out and when new roots came in and would absorb the water faster. If it gets bad and continues to come back after letting the pot dry, I would repot, but time it with new roots coming in if you see it's still an issue.

[@cherylpenn4509]

OK, so I've repotted in leca. I water more often though and I see new roots now. I still dont know what Im doing, but am trying this in case I kill it with watering.

[@NicoleDeanna]

It's a good sign! So far what you're doing seems right, keep it up! If the roots die off then you'll need to change some things

[@joannajuju1]

This was really good. Thank you.

[@NicoleDeanna]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@richarddrake9650]

I have no problems with phalenopsis. Or my Raisin pie orchis please help me..😢

[@NicoleDeanna]

This video should help, I also did an updated how to bloom cattleya orchid last month that should give more info

[@richarddrake9650]

I have 2 keikis babies. In 2 separate pots. They aren't growing very fast misting daily,outside in 80°weather. No bugs on it help me. Using bettergro fertilizer 6month old and tiny..

[@NicoleDeanna]

@@richarddrake9650 what kind of keikis? If they are cattleya orchids, I made an updated video last month on how to grow them. Usually light is the biggest culprit. Search my channel for the orchid types, I have many videos explaining how to grow many orchids, I'm sure you'll find some that will help :)

[@Beautywithknowledge]

Good work stay blessed keep in touch sweet friend

[@JoyceDarden]

11:20 Maybe on day lol I will get one of these kind of orchid. 13:43 Dealing with learning the phals which I’m loving. I also have other plants too total of 10 plants lol. Which is keeping me busy lol.

[@NicoleDeanna]

@@JoyceDarden 10 is pretty manageable, but will definitely keep you busy!

[@rosebowen8924]

Thanks for sharing, l love ❤️ the color.

[@NicoleDeanna]

Thank you ❣️

[@DollinMawahlal]

Interesting video

[@bethbennett11]

I notice that you don't take off the sheath from your canes. Is that OK? I heard that removing the sheath takes away the risk of getting bugs in the orchid. I really enjoyed your video; very practical and no wasted time with extraneous comments.

[@NicoleDeanna]

So glad you enjoyed it! Taking the sheaths off is definitely good for preventing any little critters from hiding in there. It's not required but it's a nice thing to do. I didn't do it when I'm recording sometimes because it slows me down and if I rush I risk scratching the canes and breaking them. It's a good practice I think though, but not required :)

[@evelyndelrosario5967]

What do you think is the best bark to use? Thank you.

[@NicoleDeanna]

I like Orchiata bark and lately I'm starting to use kiwi bark and it looks good, but I haven't had it long term.

[@jazzyg4578]

Years ago all we grew orchids in except vanda was terra cotta pots

[@jeannietravis3598]

How do I get an over crowded cat. Out of a decorative pot without damaging the roots 17:05

[@NicoleDeanna]

It's really tough, sometimes you have to up pot them and deal with the roots when they die off on a year or two

[@Joe-nj3bb]

Ordered 12 new cattleyas from Akatsuka, Krull Smith, Hausermanns, and Waldor's today. First time ordering from these popular places and I got a couple of Richard Mueller hybrids like Bc. Rustic Spots 'H&R' and Cattleya Small World x Bc. Richard Mueller. I figured now is a better time with the warmer temperatures starting and it's my Mom's birthday next week. I just need to order some new plant stands to make space. 😅

[@NicoleDeanna]

Excellent!! My rustic spots just bloomed yesterday. The Richard Mueller hybrids are fantastic! Cattleyas are so great and if you ordered from Akatsuka you probably got nice vigorous Hawaiian crosses 🥰 Can't go wrong!

[@Joe-nj3bb]

@@NicoleDeanna I was thinking of putting some in those pots specifically for orchids. The ones with a lot of ventilation on the side. I think they would be perfect for cattleya or vandas, but I'm afraid of roots growing out of the pot too much.

[@NicoleDeanna]

@@Joe-nj3bb there's definitely pros and cons to them but they at least look really nice!

[@Joe-nj3bb]

@@NicoleDeanna The orders from Hausermann and Akatsuka arrived today. The Lc. Ken Stromsland 'Eric' arrived with three, huge buds and it's the largest cattleya I have so far. To my surprise, the Bc. Rustic Spots 'H&R' from Akatsuka arrived with one flower and one bud. My mom didn't know the package was outside so it was out there for about six hours, but the temperature was in the low 70s today. I removed the dried sheaths and watered the new orchids with some seaweed extract and cal-mag. Akatsuka advises against repotting orchids with buds, but I've done it many times with phals, two slipper orchids, a miltoniopsis, and dendrobium and the blooms were not affected.

[@NicoleDeanna]

@@Joe-nj3bb how exciting! What a surprise to receive them with buds!

[@Joe-nj3bb]

Had to go back and repot my first cattleya mini hybrids today after one was getting mold. 😒 My fault for up-potting newly purchased orchids. 😕 I added sphagnum moss this time with slow release fertilizer and was able to put one in a terracotta pot for the first time. All of them still had a decent amount of roots left. I wish I could keep the rhizome above the pot level, but it's almost impossible. ZZ plants and lilies also have rhizomes. I can still smell that vinegar like smell from the old roots! 😫 I recommend a mask to anyone repotting next time! 😷 Hopefully they'll benefit from the nice weather the rest of the week! 🌞

[@NicoleDeanna]

I know that vinegar smell well. When moss breaks down it's awful! That's why I try to stay on top of my moss repots and free the old moss as much as I can!

[@Joe-nj3bb]

@@NicoleDeanna That acidic smell was coming from the roots since I had it in fresh bark. I'm planning on preparing a weaker fertilizer solution just for the cattleyas since I have them in layered bark/moss now.

[@richardlawton1023]

I have this one. It's blooming now.

[@NicoleDeanna]

Mine is in bud :)

[@lidiajimenez2728]

👍😊💚🌸

[@NicoleDeanna]

❤️

[@anthonynazario3008]

Hi I want to win too please. 😊