My new Den.... Not sure how to re-pot- afraid to hurt the roots

[Samheartsorchids]

Well, im now the proud parent of a beautiful Dendrobium, and I would love some advice on how to re-pot without hurting the roots......

[Donald]

First off I wouldn't do anything right now while your phalenopsis type orchid is in flower. Secondly. What makes you think it needs to be repotted in the first place? How long have you had it? When was it last repotted? Is the media it's presently in gone "sour"?
I've only been growing orchids for 8 years so I do not consider myself any kind of a professional but you need to address the above questions. More than likely you will get some better advise from the hundreds of "pros" on this web site. You may also want to post this question on the Dendrobium forum section

[Samheartsorchids]

I just purchased it, and i wanted to re-pot it so i could get a better look at the roots, but the A roots coming out are looking a little brown..... and its in a mix of moss and bark, but i don't like moss....... :P

[nutgirl]

Isn't that pretty!

If you want you can carefully slide it out of the pot and check the quality of the roots and potting material. Unless something dire is happening, I'd leave it alone.

Maureen

[Samheartsorchids]

Well im pretty sure the place where i got it was over watering it, the medium is SUPER wet and has been.... im just afraid the already browning root will rot

[Donald]

Hello. All my Dendrobiums are in a mix of bark and lava rock. The rock, I feel, helps to keep the medium open and airy and prevents the bark from gettin waterlogged.
Again, I'm no professional grower but the idea of having the plant in moss and bark doesn't sit well with me.
If it were me I would repot with new bark. Remove any dead roots and soak the roots in some sort of fungicide. One that I use on occasion is Physan 20.
Good Luck.

[Samheartsorchids]

Thank you soooo much!!!

[cb977]

I repot every chid that makes it to my house as soon as it gets here, whether it's in bud/spike/bloom or not

Soak the pot a bit to loosen any roots that are attached to the inside of it, remove the plant, clean up the root area, check for any pests, (at this point, I spray mine with Listerine and let it sit for a minute or two before rinsing) and then pot it into a clean pot using whatever media you are planning on using.

Don't be afraid, they're not as fragile as folks think they are

Of course, be careful because of the spike right now

[Samheartsorchids]

Thanks Susanne! oh, and when i soak it to loosen it, should i use warm water.....or does it not matter?

[Blueszz]

Yes, do use lukewarm water.
I also repot every new plant in my collection, in bloom or not. I learned it the hard way!