Dendo. Sea Mary 'Snow King' Repot Question

[Leatherneck_Johnny]

First off, if this post needs to be moved to the beginner section please do so!

Second, I want to say what a wealth of information this board is! I have been distracting myself here more than I should, haha!

I'm a beginner with Orchids, having only grown a Phal for the last two years (it is currently in bloom). I recently picked up a Yamamoto Dendrobium Nobile (Sea Mary 'Snow King') from a local nursery, which bloomed quite well. Now that the blooms have dropped, I am thinking I should repot. It is currently in a small hanging basket (about 4"x4" and 2" tall) with sphagnum. I've got quite a bit of long aerial roots and two new canes growing at a pretty rapid clip. When the sphagnum gets dry, I notice it is pretty hard to the touch, not "springy" like the sphagnum I am accustom too. My other reason for thinking it's time to repot is that I simply don't know how old, or what quality, the potting medium is.

So, orchid experts I ask your opinion, to repot or not?! Once I get a few more posts under my belt, I'll share some pictures.

One last question, the plant has 3 original canes and two new ones growing (and a few I can see have been trimmed back to nubs with no growth). The nursery didn't stake one of the canes and it has grown low and hangs from the basket. I love the "bouquet" look of these plants and want to train the new growth similar to how Yamamoto grows them. Should I leave the old "dangling" cane as is, or is it possible to train it upright again?

If I have misused any terminology, please correct me!! Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions!

John

[WhiteRabbit]

I would repot it now. If it's potted in sphag especially, as ideally, that should be replaced annually. It may or may not need a bigger pot - depends on the roots, as well as the size of the plant (having space in the pot for new growth).

I have once decided belatedly to stake a mature cane - it worked! Just don't force it! Mine, the canes were narrow and flexible at the base, and I was able to stake it upright.

[Leatherneck_Johnny]

Thanks Sonya! I may try to "guide" the cane into position slowly over a few months.