Question
Hi Wayne!
You were so helpful with a question I asked recently that when I realized that I had another orchid problem, I was hoping I could ask you another one.
That said,a couple of weeks ago,I put a Laeliocattleya hybrid in a new pot(it was sold in a small biodegradeable pot).However, at the time I didn't realize that the larger "pot" that I used to put it in wasn't as good as I thought it would be for an orchid.I got it for it's look(and I thought it had sufficient drainage and a good size for my orchid) but didn't know the material isn't good for being watered over time and may cause mold.Technically, it isn't a planter/pot.I don't know what I was thinking!Would I be able to transplant it to a different pot so soon after original transplant without harming it?
I'm also leaving for vacation for 10 days and have no one to help me water.The orchid is in bark mix which I think dries pretty quickly.Can I add sphagnum moss to the top to hold it over till I get back?or should it survive the ten days?if you haven't already figured out who I am-I've also recently given the orchid a bit too much light.I just hope this one(only my 2nd orchid)wasn't doomed the day I bought it.sorry that I have so many questions and lots going on, but I'd really love to someday see my orchids bloom.I thank you so much for your time.I really do appreciate it!
-Susan  

Answer
Good to hear from you again Susan. Mature cattleyas with well developed pseudobulbs are quite drought resistant and would rather have it too dry than too wet.  If you have a plant that fits this description, I would water it well and let it drain before putting it into its growing area. It should do fine without watering for 10 days.  Your pot should probably be clay with lots of drainage holes for aeration.  Stake it well so it is stable in the pot. When repotting in a fir-bark based orchid potting mix, you should soak the mix for an hour or two prior to use.  Dry fir bark repels water soaking it before use helps to make the potting mix more water friendly. This will also help to prevent excessive drying while you are away.

If you have a young LC without well developed pseudobulbs it will be more important to keep it in a humid environment. Wet the potting mix, let it drain well for two days so the top of the mix is faily dry and put it into a zip-loc bag to maintain humidity.  You don't want the plant wet or even ecessively damp.  An alternative with the young plant is to place a damp fiber or two of sphagnum moss in the bag before you leave-- just enough to keep up the humidity in the bag without having your potting mix excessively moist.

With regard to repotting, it is recommended that mature cattleyas be repotted only when they have new growth starting.  However, if you have recently repotted it, and into the wrong type of pot, this is one of those exceptions, when repotting it will improve conditions for the plant.  Just follow my recommendations in the first paragraph for repotting.

Feel free to ask for any additional clarifications if my response needs them.