What Would You Do? - Orchid Board

BikerDoc5968 · #1 07-25-2008, 12:26 PM

I've noted several people asking for an opinion about re-potting. I know these need re-potting and probably should have been in new homes long ago....my question is: what to do with the 1st pic/plant with it growing down the side of the pot? Divide and Conquer? Or use the squeeze technique and bend it into a larger pot? The others probably should just be placed into a larger pot? I'd like to grow them larger so I could divide them at a later date and share with others on this board...that is if anyone would want another catt

LocktownDog · #2 07-25-2008, 12:35 PM

Divide and conquer! But then again, I never had much luck with the "squeeze technique". Oh well.

cb977 · #3 07-25-2008, 12:36 PM

Hi Doc

The second one should just go into a bit of a larger pot and the first one needs a good dividing...my address is...

BikerDoc5968 · #4 07-25-2008, 01:21 PM

Sue, you may be laughing now but just you wait....YOU don't know just how crazy this old guy can be....and your address is????

Oh and Dorothy, I haven't forgotten you, either....

Stasisgate · #5 07-25-2008, 01:42 PM

:iagree:

yeah i have to agree....the first one definitely needs dividing and the second one can just be repotted (or divided). They are pretty healthy plants though. Nice job!

Royal · #6 07-25-2008, 01:50 PM

I'd say both just need a little bigger pot. Those are nice healthy looking plants - nice job! I have a compulsion to want to divide everything way too often, but I've recently discovered the joy of a ginormous specimen. Try to resist, just think of the massive flush of blooms you'll get on these huge plants. Just my two cents. Good growing, Doc!

BikerDoc5968 · #7 07-25-2008, 02:26 PM

I hesitate dividing also since I'm limited on counter space...but then the other joy of growing and being a participant on this forum is the act of giving/sharing....gives me a warm fuzzy inside!

Royal · #8 07-25-2008, 03:56 PM

So true.

Don Perusse · #9 07-25-2008, 04:51 PM

I disagree with Royal about a larger pot for the first one. Once the hang over the pot and grow downward they only way to be able to put back into a pot, without breaking the pseudobulb, is to divide, and repot those hanging down so they will grow back upward once again. I have a dear friend (who is 94) and he has a lot of overgrown orchids and have had a lots of experience of trying to repot those "hanger downers". He has a commercial greenhouse and upwards of 1000 orchids. I definately agree that the other could go in bigger pots, which will reap bigger rewards with more blooms! Good luck whichever way you choose.

Royal · #10 07-25-2008, 05:17 PM

Hi Don! Yeah, I agree that those "hanger-downers" (I like that term) make it difficult to repot sometimes. Sometimes you just have to nip and tuck a little, just to make it fit right. Sometimes a basket or mount can accommodate the whole thing.

I guess the real question is what kind of grower are you? Do you want to make it fit in a pot no matter what, or do you allow it to grow how IT wants to grow. I guess I do a little of both. I do know one thing, a nice blooming specimen-sized orchid is a sight to behold!