Block of roots

[admsteiner]

Hey all,

Was repotting my Dendrobium (Memory Fit) a couple of weeks back and everything went well. Since then two new stalks have popped up.

But when shaking out the old bark and unwinding the roots I came across a problem. The orchid apparently was started in a square 2 inch pot. When that filled it was transplanted to a 4 inch (I just moved it to a 6).

When they transplanted to the 4 they didn't shake out or unwind the roots. As a result, when I shook out the plant I found a solid block of roots, 2 inches wide and about the same deep. Root wrapped on root.

Should I leave it be? Don't want to risk killing the orchid and it seems to be doing well.

Add'l info: The orchid has 8 stalks. 2 are about 10-12" high, 1 is 8" or so. 5 are 3-5" (all have flowered) and there are 2 new ones coming up.

TIA
-a

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I think you and your Dendrobium are fine.

[lostonthebeach]

I agree. Don't mess with the roots. All my dems like their roots tight in their pots. Just don't use too big a pot.