When it's time to OVERPOT.

12 years ago

I grow a lot of stuff in plastic, or less frequently wooden, baskets. When the plant reaches the edge it gets moved into a larger container. Unless it gets moved into a much larger container much sooner.

I have this Pleuro growing in an 8" -plastic pot. It really needs to be in a 12" one but I allowed it to get away from me. Either I was busy or not paying attention but this thing started growing out the bottom and sides until right now I'm screwed as far as repotting it as I would loose 1/3 of it's leaves.

This picture is straight up from below showing the bottom of this basket.

Nick

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Comments (6)

orchidnick
Original Author
12 years ago
Here is a picture from the side. Through the haze and the leaves one can see the 8' basket. in order to uppot this, I could cut the basket away little by little until the plant is free but the leaves coming out the bottom or side would still be difficult to place. Instead I'm going to leave it alone and let it do it's thing. I know what a Cattleya will do when it outgrows it's container and rambles all over the place but I don't know what a Pleurothallis will do as it really does not have a rambling rhizome. This, however will be the only one in my collection which will be allowed to do this.

Nick
orchidnick
Original Author
12 years ago
The trick is to be vigilant and identify plants who are going to do this to you. This plant is sending out a few leaves to the side and the bottom. You need to look real close but they are there.

Nick
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orchidnick
Original Author
12 years ago
The plant does not need to be moved from it's 6" bucket yet as there is plenty of growing room as shown by this picture. But because it is showing a desire to grow out the side and the bottom I'm going to move it up into the largest basket I'm willing to give it, a 12" basket. Then after that it will never move again and can spend the rest of my life filling that basket.

Nick
orchidnick
Original Author
12 years ago
Here comews the bottom line. This large Pleuro was also trying to grow out the bottom and I stuck it into this 16" HD wire basket. There is a 4" space around the perimeter of the plant which according to any of the books is grossly overpotting it. It makes sense to me as this thing will start shooting leaves out the bottom and sides and soon will be permanently stuck into what ever container it's in. I'm going to do this with all of my plants that show they want to grow out the side/bottom. The size of the container is a function of how much I like it which will determin how much Lebensraum it will get. It pays to be beautiful, all kind of perks come your way. UNFAIR! Very few are going to get 16" baskets, most will get either 10" or 12" containers.

If you see a plant doing this, move it up while you can.

Nick
orchidnick
Original Author
12 years ago
Another view of the 4" empty rim.

Nick
ashes_of_the_fire
12 years ago
I way over potted a phrag that I have and it seems pretty happy. I think certain plants just take it better than others.