How to handle bare root imported orchids?

[aparnamane]

Hello OB,

I have preordered orchids from Ecuagenera to pickup during their spring sale next week, I had previously ordered from their main Ecuador nursery in Nov 2023, they came bare root in very healthy condition, I managed to get survived around 70 % of them, two of them are flowered (one is still in bud ) , but due to lack of knowledge and experience I pretty sure I could not able to take care of the bare root orchids properly, I was curious how the experts here take care of the bare root imported orchids after receiving them.

Apologies if its been already discussed here in OB, if so please direct me the discussion.

Appreciate for any help/suggestions.

Thanks.

[Roberta]

The plants will come with roots wrapped in sphagnum but it's just for moisture - they will need to be potted (or mounted) properly. Choice of medium depends on what you're getting. If Pleurothallids or others that like to stay moist, sphagnum is a good medium. A Kelpak soak can also help, to get it thinking "Roots". But mainly, just do pot it up right away, get it into its permanent growing environment. This is a good time of year, when almost everything will be responding to the warming weather and lengthening days.

[aparnamane]

Originally Posted by Roberta

The plants will come with roots wrapped in sphagnum but it's just for moisture - they will need to be potted (or mounted) properly. Choice of medium depends on what you're getting. If Pleurothallids or others that like to stay moist, sphagnum is a good medium. A Kelpak soak can also help, to get it thinking "Roots". But mainly, just do pot it up right away, get it into its permanent growing environment. This is a good time of year, when almost everything will be responding to the warming weather and lengthening days.

Thanks Roberta.

"This is a good time of year, when almost everything will be responding to the warming weather and lengthening days" I think this may be the key, as previously they came in winter probably was not the good time to import bare toot Orchids.

I am getting two dendrobiums and one miltonia, but these two are the new once for me Ionopsis utricularioides and Rodriguezia lanceolata, wondering would they will be ok with potting in lava rock or need to be mounted?

Thanks

Appriciated for the help.

[estación seca]

I soak them for an hour in a mixture of Kelpak, about 100ppm nitrogen balanced fertilizer, and myco/bacterial root organisms. Then I pot them in very small pots for the first season.

[Roberta]

I think lava rock should be fine, lots of air but also lots of surface area to maintain humidity in the root zone.

[aparnamane]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I soak them for an hour in a mixture of Kelpak, about 100ppm nitrogen balanced fertilizer, and myco/bacterial root organisms. Then I pot them in very small pots for the first season.

Sounds good... Thank you so much.

---------- Post added at 12:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:10 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

I think lava rock should be fine, lots of air but also lots of surface area to maintain humidity in the root zone.

Thanks you so much Roberta.

I am really liking the lava rock, its been little bit work to wash as its very dusty, but my most of the Cats, Aussie Dens and Sarcochilus are doing good in this media.