Dendrobium ansomum in spagnum moss

[Grace Arbuckle]

I have purchased dendrobium ansomum, and when it arrived it was potted in a basket and in spagnum moss.
That was 4 months ago,should I repot it and what type a meduim,or should i wait till Spring. But they bloom in spring right?


Please Help!
Grace

[RosieC]

Hi Grace and welcome to Orchid Board

Orchids in Spag generally need repotting yearly, but you don't know how long it's been since the last repotting so it is probably a good idea to repot it.

If you have been getting on well with the existing Sphag then you could carry on with that. Not everyone gets on well with it, but others love it. I find it works on some types of orchids for me and not for others, but it can all depend on your conditions.

I'm not sure the best timing for when you should repot. The Dendrobiums I have are a different type to yours but I find with those that repotting when there are new canes growing is a good idea, this is when they also put out new roots (from the base of new canes) and it's good to repot before those new roots apear (but not too long before) so the new roots get dug in well to the new medium. That's why I repot when I first see new canes as then I know the roots will be along not too long after.

Not sure if that's the best with your sort or not so hopefully someone else will be along who knows more specifics for this species.

[orchidsamore]

you must have a very young plant as anosmum are in the family that need reduction of water in the winter and no fertilizer from now to spring. Sphag is never used on an older plant.

Growers sometimes use sphag to start new cuttings. The plant needs to be about a foot long before flowering. If it is not big enough to flower then you can leave the sphag for a while but eventually they grow best bare root in the basket.

Usually we use only one or two of the hooks on the basket and let it hang sideways.

The plant is deciduous and will lose all its leaves. It flowers on bare canes.

They are a March April flower.

Here are both the lavender and alba forms. These are very old plants over 3 feet long and about 2 feet wide.

[Grace Arbuckle]

Thank you to Rosie, and Jerry very helpful