32 inch dendro in a three inch pot.

[mykl]

Picked this up at an orchid show earlier this month. It's in bloom and has started sending out another flower spike! To say it's top heavy is an understatement; it's 3inch plastic pot is sitting in THREE clay pots for these pictures. I keep hearing, "DON'T OVER POT!" But I have to come up with some solution, where the plant will stay upright and yet not have too much "Free Range"

Any suggestions?
Thnx

[dbarron]

I think I can safely say a 4 inch pot wouldn't be overkill. Or even a five.

[mykl]

But I'm trying to come up with a way where I don't need three pots to keep it from tipping over. Some one said square pots are more stable, maybe I'll try a square planter.

[dbarron]

Instead of an azalea pot, get a full size one and fill bottom with lead shot or glass marbles or something to give it some heft.

[mykl]

that sounds like a good idea- Thanks

[Roberta]

I like bulb pans - shallow plastic pots. because they're shallow, you can use a somewhat larger pot (I'd use the 6 inch size) without creating a wet airless pocket in the middle (which is why in general you don't want to over-put). The roots can then spread out, and you'll have a much bigger "footprint". I use them a lot for Catasetinae, which can have big, heavy pseudobulbs with huge leaves above, and they still don't tip over. They can be hard to find, though. Another option... use a regular-form pot (like an azalea pot), go to 6 inches or even 8 inches, and invert a small pot (or plastic basket) in the middle. This will create an air pocket, again preventing that airless wet lump in the center. So in general, the idea is, try for a larger footprint, then do one of these tricks to keep the volume down while you increase the diameter.

[Leafmite]

I just potted up a few Phal-type Dendrobiums in lava rock (my favorite medium). I can use a larger pot and just need to water quite often (they like lots of water but to dry quickly which is why the small pot is recommended). If you have a really tall one, I would also use a clay pot to give it that added stability.

[DirtyCoconuts]

in my climate i grow hard cane dendros in big clay pots, 8-12" and full of lava rock, perlite and chunk charcoal. i end up also putting a stake in most pots...they want to fall over to spread out so out have to fight that lol

[estación seca]

The basic problem is gravity. Nothing really works except attaching it to something immovable, or hanging it. The farther above the center of gravity it's attached the more stable it will be.

[mykl]

Thanks for the great ideas,everyone.
I also have a large dendro I got from a BBS that was sold in a hanging cedar basket with sphagnum moss. In the next week or so, I will dive in and try to figure out a better media for that.