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How to repot Prosthechea radiata cochleata?

11 years ago

I purchased this plant (with the little shell-like flowers 4 years ago) when it had 3 pseudobulbs. It bloomed nicely for the last 3 years. I repotted it 2 years ago with new bark and kept the same pot. I had a great difficulty getting all the roots back in the same pot. Now, it has 9 pseudobulbs, and I want to repot it, but not sure how. The roots are growing madly, and new pseudobulbs want to grow out of the base of 2 of the existing ones. Shall I use a slightly larger pot? Shall I trim the roots? I do not want to split it because I want to keep the same number of pots. Here is a picture taken last August.


Comments (8)

  • 11 years ago

    Please check the label is it Prosthechea radiata or Prosthechea cochleata? No label? Then check google images, might be a difference in culture between the two species.

    This new site doesn't ask for climate zones or state in the USA which are vital for getting good culture advice.

  • 11 years ago

    The label states: radia cochlea (cochleata x radiata)


  • 11 years ago

    I used to keep the plant outdoors in the summer in Washington, DC. Last summer, I moved to Orlando, and have kept it outdoors until the evenings got below 55. Then, I have been keeping it inside all the time. I have a small collection, no greenhouse. Thank you for your interest in my question. This is my first time here.


  • 11 years ago

    If it were mine, I would repot using a larger pot. I would look for one between 1-1.5 inches wider. I definitely would not cut the roots. I would also wait a while for spring and new growth to get here before repotting. From the pictures it looks like it may be a bit dehydrated. I water my Prosthechea pretty frequently in the summer.

  • 11 years ago

    Thank you. I will not cut the roots. I have a pot as you described. Right now, the pseudobulbs do not look dehydrated, they are all robust and smooth. I will wait about a month, which will give me time to evaluate my other plants, too. I only have 15 total. This is the only Prosthechea. I love it!!!


  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Sorry about the name confusion. Registered Hybrid name is Prosthechea Radia-Cochlea. So, how cold does it get at night in Winter in Orlando. There is a Prosthechea cochleata hybrid happily growing in my cold (No heating) glasshouse. The night temperatures there in winter are mostly in the 40 50 F range, and the day temps lift.

    Darlene thought it looked dehydrated because of the furrows in the pseudobulbs so perhaps it had a bit of stress in some period of its life, those furrows never seem to fill out. My hybrid Prosavola Anya Gloudon Prosthechea cochleata x Brassavola subulifolia has smooth pseudobulbs.

    Anyway, I would also hold off repotting till spring arrives.

  • 11 years ago

    I really like Prosthechea orchids also. I have a cochleata and the hybrid Green Hornet. The green hornet is ridiculously robust and tolerant. My main issue with my cochleata is that spider mites love it. Two years in a row they have destroyed my new growth. The green hornet grow right next to it and they ignore it. Grumble grumble. ..

    Arthur if you are looking for cold tolerant Prosthechea, Prosthechea prismatocarpa might fit the bill. I have one but it is not blooming size yet.

  • 11 years ago

    I am told that in Orlando we get a freeze 1-3 times per year. So far, I think the coldest was in the high 40's. I do not want to be taking plants in and out all the time, so once they are in for the winter, that's it. I occasionally let them enjoy a pleasant windy breezy day outside when I water them. I also observed that the shriveled pseudobulbs never go back to being smooth.


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