How to deal with old orchids

[sweetjblue]

Excellent tutorial Katrina!

[Brooke]

Katrina are you for hire? I need help with this plant in a 10" octagonal basket. This picture is from Feb. '13 when it was awarded and it has now grown all the way to the bottom of the basket. I intended to do it three years ago but alas, I am a procrastinator.

C loddigesii 'CCM-HCC-AOS' JCL_1391 by kentucky4, on Flickr

The other day when I was watering it I actually found a new growth growing through one of the holes in an expanded metal table that arched back up through a different hole.

I should have plenty to share as partial payment

cpeters do you have access to tree fern totems? I have several in the Angraecum family with this type growth and I attach them to the totem and let them become bushes.

Brooke

[katrina]

Oh Holy S**T! I cant even tell it's a basket under that gorgeous plant, Brooke!

I have an idea, Brooke! Here's the plan...send me the plant and I'll work on it. Of course, it'll take me several years to get it done because I think I just need to 'watch it' for a very long time before I tackle something that intensive. You know...just look at it...while it hangs in my grow space...

[james mickelso]

Nooooo!!!!! Don't send it to Katrina!!! She just wants to hang it in her grow space and enjoy it's beauty all by herself. Send it to me. Of course I'll have to hang it in my GH and study it for a way to make it even better. It might take me...oh....maybe a year ot two to figure something out but I'll think of something.

[Brooke]

Amazing! Katrina and James are two of the most generous people I've ever come across

Some day when it is going to be cloudy for a few days I will tackle this monster. One of the worst jobs will be removing the free moss growing all over it. Then the pliers, saws, wire cutters and root scrapers will be called upon to do their jobs.

Brooke

[katrina]

Originally Posted by Brooke

Amazing! Katrina and James are two of the most generous people I've ever come across



Brooke

Yep...selfless...that's me!

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by Brooke

Amazing! Katrina and James are two of the most generous people I've ever come across

Some day when it is going to be cloudy for a few days I will tackle this monster. One of the worst jobs will be removing the free moss growing all over it. Then the pliers, saws, wire cutters and root scrapers will be called upon to do their jobs.

Brooke

But if you let it, it will be a very fun adventure!!!! Gather the tools and don't think, just start!!!

The free moss removal, I know nothing about, tho. Perhaps some citrus based cleaner solution?

[Brooke]

Originally Posted by JMNYC

But if you let it, it will be a very fun adventure!!!! Gather the tools and don't think, just start!!!

The free moss removal, I know nothing about, tho. Perhaps some citrus based cleaner solution?

Nope not an adventure - it is hard work requiring a lot of strength when it comes to dividing monster plants. Removing the roots from wood is much harder than removing them from a clay or plastic part.

The moss gets picked off, piece by piece so I can see the roots.

Brooke

[james mickelso]

Brooke, you can just cut away the old wood piece by piece even if that means leaving some of the wood attached to the plant. I have used a Dremel tool on some old wood mounts. Of course I know you've probably done this before. Just offering.

[katrina]

Originally Posted by Brooke

Nope not an adventure - it is hard work requiring a lot of strength when it comes to dividing monster plants. Removing the roots from wood is much harder than removing them from a clay or plastic part.

The moss gets picked off, piece by piece so I can see the roots.

Brooke

Oh Hell, that sounds like too much work for you to have to deal with. You shouldn't have to bother with all that. Nope...I'm telling you...just send it my way. The giver in me is happy to take that 'awful mess' off your hands. You knooooooow...cuz I'm a giver.

All joking aside...it's gonna be a BIG job.