Had to overpot Onc. Twinkle- doomed?

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

Izzie, stop worrying. Twinkles grow so fast it will be out of that pot in less than a year! I think it looks perfect. Good job!

^^; thanks.
You've all calmed me down. x.x I just get so worried.
Happy to hear I did well though!

[Judi]

I agree, it will probably do fine! I have also had the same problem when I really needed a pot that was in between sizes and I used packaging popcorn in the bottom of the pot with a lot of success. As long as it drains well I think you'll be fine. Funny you use wine cork, I haven't heard of anyone else using them. I have a habit of mixing cut up cork in some of the mixes--I hate to just throw them out and I figure they help to keep the mix from compacting; they have never molded or had problems. And hey, you never know, mabe it makes the chids a little happier

[Izzie]

Yay for more success stories!

I've read about every thread I can find on here that has wine corks mentioned, and done some research- seems like they're pretty good for putting in the bottom of pots, and that orchids do like that sugary residue, and the tannins from red wines.

I had only blush and white corks though.

[Connie Star]

I have a Twinkle that I got in February in bloom. It was in a pretty tight pot, and the grower told me to repot it when it finished flowering. I had a lot of trouble getting the water right; long story short by the time it was done blooming about half it's pseudobulbs were soft and squishy. I did repot it into a slightly larger pot, but getting the roots untangled was difficult. Not sure how well it is going to do. It could be my first kill.
I have two more still in bloom, but they are smaller and seem to be doing fine. They are in pots that look like yours. I'll come back to this thread when they are ready to repot.

[orchidsamore]

Your plant should do fine in the pot in which you have it.

Do not be so concerned about over potting. It is serious but understand why you are advised not to over pot and apply it to your circumstances.

Two problems can occur with over potting. First the plant can spend much of its energy into growing more roots and may miss a flowering season. The worst that will happen is you miss a flowering season and have a monster plant the next year.

The second problem can be that the excess bark around the outside of the roots will hold water too long and possibly develop rot.

This is serious but can be avoided.

You do not have too much bark around the outside of your plant so rot is highly unlikely.

When there will be too much area around the outside of a plant you can pot it in such a way as to avoid the excess moisture.

I have a lot of overgrown 6 inch Cattleya plants. Some are so overgrown they are being planted directly into 12 inch baskets. The pot roots are often rotted and removed as well.

In this situation I add extensive amounts of charcoal to the mix. Charcoal will hold almost no water.

I also increase the size of the charcoal and bark. This leaves large areas in the pot for air to flow through.

So if you understand the reasons for not over potting you would realizes they did not apply to your plant.

It is when people try to go to 6 and 8 inch pots too soon that problems arise.

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by Connie Star

I have a Twinkle that I got in February in bloom. It was in a pretty tight pot, and the grower told me to repot it when it finished flowering. I had a lot of trouble getting the water right; long story short by the time it was done blooming about half it's pseudobulbs were soft and squishy. I did repot it into a slightly larger pot, but getting the roots untangled was difficult. Not sure how well it is going to do. It could be my first kill.
I have two more still in bloom, but they are smaller and seem to be doing fine. They are in pots that look like yours. I'll come back to this thread when they are ready to repot.

Oh my, I'm so sorry! Mine didn't have a great start either- a month after I got it, all the bulbs were shriveled, but by then I'd gotten my act together and figured out how to make it happy- and was rewarded with more blooms!
I hope your sick one pulls through!

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by orchidsamore

Your plant should do fine in the pot in which you have it.

Do not be so concerned about over potting. It is serious but understand why you are advised not to over pot and apply it to your circumstances.

Two problems can occur with over potting. First the plant can spend much of its energy into growing more roots and may miss a flowering season. The worst that will happen is you miss a flowering season and have a monster plant the next year.

The second problem can be that the excess bark around the outside of the roots will hold water too long and possibly develop rot.

This is serious but can be avoided.

You do not have too much bark around the outside of your plant so rot is highly unlikely.

When there will be too much area around the outside of a plant you can pot it in such a way as to avoid the excess moisture.

I have a lot of overgrown 6 inch Cattleya plants. Some are so overgrown they are being planted directly into 12 inch baskets. The pot roots are often rotted and removed as well.

In this situation I add extensive amounts of charcoal to the mix. Charcoal will hold almost no water.

I also increase the size of the charcoal and bark. This leaves large areas in the pot for air to flow through.

So if you understand the reasons for not over potting you would realizes they did not apply to your plant.

It is when people try to go to 6 and 8 inch pots too soon that problems arise.

What a great explanation, thank you!
I see what your saying- I was worried about having too much bark around the roots, so I put mainly charcoal and wine cork in the middle of the root ball, and the lower third of the pot is large bark, cork, and packing peanuts.
Is my plant not that overpotted then? I thought this pot was a huge change from what it was in.

[Izzie]

is it true that you let a plant rest for a few days without too much water after it's gotten stressed out? (like from moving/shipping/repotting)

[RosieC]

I tend to water slightly ligher with Phals after a repot, not sure about Oncs though but it might well be the same.

[Tropicgirl]

I thought your repot looked pretty good. It gives those new growths room to grow.