Inherited greenhouse_what to do

[Klueless_Kristie]

Hi all :-) I have just inherited my grandfathers greenhouse after 3+ years of neglect. There are over 30 pots of orchids inside, labels are so old the writing is gone. The pots r so root bound the roots are coming over the top and bottom n I can't see the pots from the roots. Nothing has flowered in over 3 years but there are green leaves n shoots inside the pots. Where do I start :-0

[Bud]

Watch videos on how to repot orchids on YouTube and learn. If you can still decipher any tags then rewrite it. The rest might be identified if it blooms. good luck!

[Laserbeak]

You have a hell of a lot of work in front you.. still I'm jealous!

[Klueless_Kristie]

Thanks bud I will give it a try :-)
Laser, I have just stood inside the greenhouse for 3 hrs thinking "where do I start" lol and "please please don't let me kill any"

[weederwoman]

I took over a neglected greenhouse three years ago (only about 20 orchids, tho). Do you have an orchid society or club near you? I joined one and got a lot of in-person help that way. If the plants look healthy, I would not be in a big hurry to cover exposed roots in media. I've been told the roots will often die and might slow down your plants blooming, if this is necessary for identification. They grow in nature with exposed roots. Look up how to care for mounts.

[Tabbyblack13]

Just start repotting one at a time. Step by step is the best way to do it. If you try to get it done in one afternoon you'll get overwhelmed.

Even if you can't read the words on the tags keep them with the pots. Sometimes there are numbers on the tags and you can find the registration number of the species and hybrid. Also look at separating them into the major groups like phal, phap, catt, etc.


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[HighSeas]

Play around with the contrast on your scanner and scan them one by one, not mixing them up or forgetting where each tag originally came from. I've heard that this technique works. Good Luck!

[silken]

I agree, start with just one at a time. They lived as they are this long, they will hang in a little longer. Learn what you can about orchids and figure out what kind they are. Most should be re-potted only when new roots are growing so you could tackle them as that happens. Good luck and congrats on the inheritance!

[LadySoren]

I agree that you should try to get in touch with a local orchid society. Maybe someone will come over and check them out for you and help you. Like someone said above, the roots out of the pot would not be as happy when you repot if they're buried bc they won't be used to less air, but I'm sure it will have to happen eventually.
I also agree with keeping the tags even if you can't read them.

Don't over water. They've grown this long without you.
But don't completely neglect either.
I hate to say this, but if you end up not wanting to take care of them, you should see about donating them to the society or someone.
I think it will be greatly rewarding if you keep them and stick to it.
Here is a good place to start. There are plenty of you tube videos on repotting too.

[POLKA]

I want to emphasize the repotting part of the discussion.

I think it best to learn to grow them -- water, light, get the air moving, etc. -- first.

I would then learn about the re-potting so that you do it when the time is right, not just because you have roots all over.

Do you know what genera you have? some are particular about repotting -- usually timing issues.

Overgrown pots in a greenhouse is never an emergency. Please understand that orchids growing all over their pots is part of their nature to do, and might actually be quite healthy for it -- think mounted in a tree in nature, etc.

So learn what you have, and how to take care of it. The second fastest way to kill an orchid is to repot it at the wrong time. The first is watering too often not allowing air to the roots inside a pot where they suffocate and then rot.

Take care
Hope you understand what I am saying, and consider it.

If you don't wish to continue, of course the local orchid society, as mentioned about above would be the logical place.

Actually the logical place to learn what you have, and best way to take care of it.

Take care
May all your orchids bloom like crazy.

Rex W. Ulmer
newsletter editor
Central East Texas Orchid Society
Tyler, Texas