Something for the beginner and even some of the advanced among us....

[james mickelso]

Awhile back someone posted an orchid that had outgrown it's pot and needed repotting. The root system was a shambles and I think the question was how to repot it without damaging the root system. Or something along those lines. And then tpo go along with that thread was one about potting on or repotting with out having to remove any of the roots and just pot into a larger pot. So here is a short picture spread about octo-root and what I did to repot this orchid. This might be boring to some but I think it might serve some purpose. (I don't know how to put up a pic, write some explanation and post another and so on so bear with me please). Roots of most potted plants grow around the outside of the pot with the center remaining empty of most roots. When watered this space soaks up water and remains wet while the top of the media dries out along with the space around the inside space where the roots are. The wet space becomes stale and good for molds and fungus along with bacteria that damage or kill roots. One way to remedy the situation is to use either an inorganic media or pot with a coarse mix. The coarse mix allows lots of airflow around the roots and dries pout much quicker especially inside the center of the pot. And you got busy and didn't repot at the correct time and this is what the root system now looks like. Octo-root. No problem. The center of the pot has a coarse mix in it and this will dry out at the same rate as the outside and top of the pot. So you just get the next size pot and repot into it without disturbing the root mass at all. Here are some pics. Remember to pot the orchid with the oldest growth next to the edge of the pot which allows room for the next seasons growth to move into the empty space along the opposite side of the pot. I also use a coarse mix so I can water more often and therefore fertilize more often. The inside center of the pot dries about as quickly as as the top and sides. I hope this is of some use.

[nlm2951]

Looks very good. I use the lava rocks, charcoal and sometimes I use a small portion of coconut husk, here in Miami is hot and my orchid house gets above 90, I mist and have a fan, but its hot.. norma

[Dendy83]

Wow, that is very helpful. Now this is really only referring to if you do have a coarse mix in the middle and not sphag or a soil-type media, correct?

[tucker85]

Good explanation and pictures. I'm really impressed with the roots on that orchid. Good growing.

[james mickelso]

Yes it is referring to a coarse mix. If you have anything fine or dense like spag or CHC or even small bark then as the mix breaks down it becomes waterlogged and air won't circulate thereby creating a place where bacteria, mold, and fungus take hold. A great place for rootrot. A coarse mix will still allow air to circulate. If you use moss remember to place it loosely. That way as it ages it breaks down but leaves large spaces within the rootmass where air can circulate. No need to pACK IT IN TIGHTLY.

[james mickelso]

Thanks Tucker. I didn't check it and so it got out of control. I usually try not to let them get this overgrown. I have another set of pics that shows when to divide and repot. It shows how the roots almost always circle the outside of the pot. Here's one of the set.