Brassavola potting in basket guidance needed

[greggnkay]

I have two Brassavolas I wish to transfer from pots to wooden baskets. Would someone with experience please give me some guidance. I have read that wine corks can be used, but how? I am open to any proven methods, but wish to be guided by more experienced growers. I hope this question is not overly redundant on the board.

[isurus79]

When planting in baskets, I take my wine corks and make them the bottom layer in the basket, put the plant in the position I want, tie it down with either zipties or twine and then fill the rest in with large chunks of bark. I usually use this method if Im not going to shake off the old media from the roots. You could also use exclusively wine corks and forgo the bark if you wish as well. Using this method, I fill the basket with the wine corks (which I stack either horizontally or vertically, depending on my mood!), shake all the old media off the roots of the plant and tie it down. Remember to do this with new growth. That way the new roots will be able to grow fairly soon after the transplant and your Brassavola will be able to recover a little more quickly, thus shortening the time that it will take to bloom again. Good luck! Dont forget to post pics with what you do as well.

[Lorraine]

Hi greggnkay,

I have my brassavola's in baskets using cocoa fiber as the liner just enough to keep the mix from falling through then tree firn mixed with hydroton and charcoal. I also have some mounted in the tree firn baskets with a little spag. moss Either way mine like it and are putting out new growth. They get watered everyday with this method if it's really hot or else every other day. Hope this helps.