D. and Mclna helpie - Orchid Board

Blondie · #1 03-30-2008, 03:34 PM

Last night I posted some pics from the orchid show, but I was in a bit of a hurry and buried my question at the bottom of my post. Duh.

So now I'll make it real obvious...

I got two orchids. The sticks say:

Mclna. Pagan Love Song 'Chocolate Thunder' HCC/AOS (which made me feel kinda like dancing around a bonfire and sacrificing something to the gods when I saw that name)

and

D. Thongchai Gold 'Toon'

I'm not sure what these abbreviations stand for. I assume the second is a den. So far I've only kept phals and minis alive and have killed one brassia. What tips can you give me for these orchids?

Also, I know everyone usually suggests repotting right away, so I picked up some materials for that also. But these plants seem to enjoy being rootbound in their little pots. However, the roots are coming out of the holes at the bottom. See pic. Repotting suggestions?

cb977 · #2 03-30-2008, 03:44 PM

The "D" should be a Den as in Dendrobium

The Mclna stands for Maclellanara which is in the Oncidium family.

Very nice orchids!

Soak each pot individually in some water, it'll loosen the roots. Then carefully remove the plants, inspect the roots, remove any that might be rotted and repot into a fresh mix.

(..._...) · #3 03-30-2008, 03:51 PM

Hi!
Mclna is
Maclellanara =(Brassia x Odontoglossum x Oncidium)

... well thats what Google told me haha... but maybe somebody can tell you how to care for it. That plant is really nice btw.

good luck!

ooooh, what is the approximate condition of the medium used. If it seems really decomposed, I usually repot.

Blondie · #4 03-30-2008, 03:58 PM

The Pagan Love Goddess (Mclna) appears to be in moss. Which means ACK ACK ACK. Moss scares the crap out of me. The other one is in chunky bark. I got a bark mix and will repot in that. Should I get bigger pots or just go with the pots I have?

(..._...) · #5 03-30-2008, 04:05 PM

ummm.. I like to keep mine pretty pot bound. Check how rootbound they are. Oh, how big are those pots appox? 4", 5", Its hard to judge by the picture.

Blondie · #6 03-30-2008, 04:07 PM

I know. The pic doesn't really do them justice. The big one is almost 3 feet tall. I'd say they are 4 inch pots.

(..._...) · #7 03-30-2008, 04:13 PM

Hmmm.... thats the same problem I always have... the 4" pot is a tiny bit too small, but the 5" is a bit too big. Do any stores sell 4.5" pots near you? I can never find any in that size thought.

Oh about the moss. Yeah, I would change it, since orchid growers who plant in moss usually pack it in tight. I like moss personally... but loosely placed in the pot.
Oh, and since the goddess/ pagan whatever-ever-its-called is brassia x odontoglossum x oncidium, I have NO IDEA how it should be watered. lol... I'm sure someone around here knows though

Blondie · #8 03-30-2008, 04:19 PM

So about those roots that are poking out... Do you just tuck them back in the pot and say: "Stay in there!!"

cb977 · #9 03-30-2008, 04:20 PM

You should go just one size up on the pot, gives it room for a year or two of growth

quiltergal · #10 03-30-2008, 07:31 PM

Intergeneric Oncs don't seem to mind being a little over potted. I went up a whole pot size on my Brlla. and it seems quite happy. Dens on the other hand like tight shoes. However, they don't like being repotted. Sooooo, I'd go up a pot size on that one too. That way you won't have to repot it for a while, and you'll minimize the amount of time it spends sulking.