re-potting big orchid

9 years ago

I am re-potting all my orchids and this dendrobium is the last one to do. I am not sure if I should cut and divide it or what. Each stem is 2-3 feet long so it is a very large and awkward plant. The shade house is going to get power washed and sanitized tomorrow, so don't pay any attention to the green decking.

Linda Leaf

Featured Answer

Ben(8b/9a north FL)

9 years ago

Dendrobiums really do not like to have roots disturbed. Anyone that has grown many dens successfully can vouch for this, they like smaller pots and do better when pot bound. The plant is nice sized and looks like it has been in the same pot for quite a few years. If this was my plant, I would carefully hammer the existing pot into pieces and gently removed all pieces of clay, then leaving the root ball as is I would place the bulk of the plant in center of a hardwood basket about 8-10 inches or so and tie wrap it to bottom of basket and then pack sides of root ball firmly with tree fern chunks. There should be no wiggle room when plant is locked tight in basket. Then you can tie opposing canes toward each other bring them to about a 30 or 45 degree angle , stop pulling them close when they resist and a few months later you can adjust them to closer yet. You will then have a continuation of growth as the roots continue to grow undisturbed and bring the long canes under some control in a semi upright position. You will see what I mean if you open up the root ball as the next growth will be smaller than the previous and the plant will then be in catch up mode to re establish a solid root ball... in any case, best wishes with the re-potting task. it will be interesting to see how it progresses once you decide how to re-pot it.

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Comments (7)

suncoastflowers
9 years ago
I am not sure. I have a few orchids but I inherited them and am trying just to not kill them. The orchid forum is really helpful and knowledgeable.
linda_leaf _z10a_southwest_fl thanked suncoastflowers
jane__ny
9 years ago
The mix looks broken down. I would crack the pot and plant the whole thing in a wood basket. Hang it from a tree. Let it hang.

This type of dend grows very tall and top heavy. You could also mount it to the side of a tree.

Visit the Orchid Forum on this site and you'll get lots of help.

Jane

Orchid Forum
linda_leaf _z10a_southwest_fl thanked jane__ny
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fawnridge (Ricky)
9 years ago
Do nothing. The orchid will eventually overtake the pot. Just hang it in a tree and leave it alone.
linda_leaf _z10a_southwest_fl thanked fawnridge (Ricky)
User
9 years ago
Linda, I can't even believe you are in here asking about how to pot orchids! LOL Didn't you say you lost a lot of yours some years back? I remember that gorgeous orchid house you use to have in the side yard, I think?
linda_leaf _z10a_southwest_fl thanked User
linda_leaf _z10a_southwest_fl
Original Author
9 years ago
Yes, I still have that shade house for my orchids. I have re-potted ALL my orchids except for this one because it is so big and is growing in all directions. At first I thought I should break it up but couldn't see the natural dividing lines. So I am going to take the suggestions of removing the potting mix, putting it in an open basket and hanging it from the big palm tree next to the shade house. It will have companion orchid with 2ft leaves and a 6ft flower spike.
annafl
9 years ago
Linda, I agree with Jane and Ben also. The only thing different to what Ben suggested is that if the mix it's in is a bark mix (or anything that breaks down), I would try to remove it or as much as possible. If it's bark it will make the dendrobium rot eventually. You can just repot it with what Ben said, or I use a mix of charcoal and tree fern fiber that lasts many years. It's a beautiful orchid and removing the pseudobulbs, may make it less awkward, but will zap much of the energy from it and may create open areas for disease. Put it where the light will be from above so that all the next pseudobulbs will grow straight up or close to it. Good luck! It's beautiful!
linda_leaf _z10a_southwest_fl thanked annafl