Can I repot my dendrobium while it's growing a new spike?

[Mothra79]

When I purchased my dendrobium from an orchid nursery, the owner told me to repot it as soon as it stopped flowering. The flowers are just starting to fall off, but it's growing a new flower spike on one of the other canes. Is it okay to repot it still?

[Becky15349]

I'd love to see a picture of the spike to determine how far along it is...if its still a small spike, its probably safe to repot....however, as a general rule, I never repot or disturb plants that are in spike or flower in order not to lose the blooms That's just my opinion, though.

[JennS]

You could repot it...it might lose the spike, but it might not. It really depends more on the condition of the roots. If you have to trim a bunch off it might lose the spike, but dens are pretty hardy, so it should be fine. I repotted them in spike with no problems.

I would go by the medium, if it looks OK, leave it through flowering. If it looks broken down, then repot and save the plant rather than lose it! Good luck!

[whygreenberg]

A lot of folks here advise repotting as soon as you get a new 'chid home from the vendor. Even if the potting mix is in good shape, it's always good to see what shape the roots are in down below. If the vendor you purchased from told you you should repot, I'd go ahead and do it.

[Lagoon]

Blooming dens can be very shifty & hateful in my experience
Give a good check of the roots, see how they're doing and go from there.
I agree, its better to pop the blooms to save the plant if thats the case. Orchids do love love new fresh media.

Good luck whatever you decide

[Mothra79]

Well, here's some pictures of both the spike and the potting media for some more clarification. Sorry I couldn't get better pictures of the media.

[Swamper]

What a cute baby, I think he's saying....."repot it mom"

[Leisurely]

The baby is beautiful and so is the orchid. If the media is in good condition, I would not re-pot until Spring. Your orchid is one that likes to be pot-bound and it does not appear that it is at that stage yet. You might set the pot in a clay pot to stabilize it a little but that is all that I would do.

[nenella]

I'm not an 'expert' with dens & only have 2; but I would personally leave it alone. As Jerry says, it's far from being 'pot bound' & the media looks ok to me from your photo.. I'd probably make sure it gets a little more 'potassium' (again I'm no expert ....but I'd probably give it a dose or two of fertilizer to "promote " flower growth ....) Even though up to now in my limited experience I have not noticed any 'particular' better flowering from using 'bloom' fertilizers .. normal just 'does'....if the conditions are 'right'

[quiltergal]

That medium looks really compacted to me. If it's too compacted and degraded the roots lose air circulation and die. I'd repot. I don't think it will hurt such a small spike. You can use the same pot.