Hardcane dendrobiums

[catlady]

What is a hardcane dendrobium? What other type of den. is there? Also, my den. is growing out of the pot; the last stalk (cane?) grew right on the lip of the pot and the next bud will be outside the pot. Is now a good time to repot, or let it keep going?

[Jonatan]

Dendrobiums like to be tight in their pots. The repotting should pretty much only be done when the leaves are starting to get yellow and the roots are damaged from too much moisture or when the mix has degraded. Mostly after flowering.
Other then that if it seems to be in good shape I would keep in the same pot. I actually does best in a very tight pot.
If however you decide to repot, make sure to take a pot just one size bigger ei. changing from 4 inches to 5 inches or even better half inche, etc. Big pots are not recommended for dendrobiums. My book also says that they prefer plastic pots.
Mine is in a clear, really tight plastic pot and although I just got it, the roots are popping out and all I can see inside the pot are roots. I'll keep it like that since it's flowering at the moment and then I'll see how it holds up.

[catlady]

Thanks Jonathan for the info. I haven't decided what to do yet, but they sure look ugly now. I'll keep an eye on them awhile longer and see if anything happens.

[cneos]

From time to time, we all need to remember that, in nature, orchids don't grow in pots. PEOPLE grow orchids in pots.

Think of tree branch crotches or rocky crevasses as nature's 'pots.' Orchid roots are generally exposed to the air and some amount of sunlight; plant is watered with the rain and humidity and fed by nutrients that wash over them. Ugly though they may be, unless the roots are completely dessicated (dry) or turned to mush, they are contributing to the health and well-being of your plant.
If an orchid grows out of its pot, it's telling you it needs more growing space; do your best to accomodate and it will reward you.
BTW, there are several types of dendrobinae, each with varied growth habits and cultural requirements.