repotting small specimens

[rallygirl]

i would love some advice regarding repotting small, failing plants. i found lots of stuff on repotting and dividing healthy orchids, but i am not sure how to make the best of tiny ones with few roots. some are going into s/h, and i wondered about soaking/treating the actual plant with dynagrow? these guys need roots! also, is a quick spray of physan enough to kill pests or do i need a soak in that too? it's mostly the chemicals i am wondering about, or any other tips to make the most of the repotting opportunity.

thanks! (i've got my list of plants posted in the intro section if i should be more specific about the types of orchids i am growing.)

[Lagoon]

Hay there RG,

I took a looky on your gallery, and some orchids appear to be very overpotted.
Physan is for controling fungus and bacteria, not really for pest control.

I do find dynagrow a good product and use it myself. I think any fertilizer can help out to encourage new roots and green growth, also the right culturing has to be in place to allow 'chids to thrive.

What about your lighting, air movement??

[Ross]

Unless the planting mox is rotted or some other reason exists to repot (like too large a pot for the size of plant, I would'n repot. First step should be to get some root growth going. I've had good luck with KLN. Forget the Physan unless you have mold in the mix and then you'll want fresh mix. Physan is good for preventing and getting rid of light cases of mold, etc. but not rot or bacterial diseases. As Gloria says, check your lighting and air control.

[rallygirl]

thanks very much for the help.
these orchids came to me as seen from a pretty cold, dark, neglected environment. as soon as they saw room temperatures and one thorough watering there were bugs and webbing and moulds popping up everywhere. i keep this batch away from my grown plants (thank heavens) but i don't have any of these problems on the plants i have had for a while. i am not sure if the best way to start these guys over is to repot them all into fresh (some into s/h) medium? the gongora and stanhopea i may keep in their pots as they are growing well, but the others are so small!

is it better to give the kln with watering for a while and treat the mould with physan? what should i do about the webbing? i guess i thought a fresh start would be best but now i am reconsidering....

[Ross]

The mold you are seeing could be a result of overwet planting mix. If so, then yes, Physan might curb it (no guarantees, here.) If it were me, I would remove every plant from the mix you received them in, then repot with your favorite mix (mine is medium fir bark mix) which has been soaked overnight in KLN, then repot the whole batch. But then, that is me. Use smaller pots, for sure. Water every week with KLN (nothing else) until you see some signs of new root growth. If you see see nice white roots with green tips, when you repot, forget the KLN treatment.

[Lagoon]

I agree, me too, I would Repot! Choose a mix that you already know you can grow well in and cross your fingers