Mounting pot-bound dends? (cross posted from beginner discussion)

[reanaosrhyt]

I posted this over in beginner discussion...84 views but no replies. Figured I might have better luck with it in the proper section.

I've had some pretty bad luck with the dendrobiums I bought last summer--all the leaves fell off and lots of roots died (I still have no idea why, though it certainly wasn't over watering, and they were all evergreen phal-types). On one of them, the canes rotted so it was lost. On the other two something just short of miraculous occurred--as soon as I removed them from the potting mix (coarse bark) for a few days a new growth and/or roots emerged from the base of the plant. I recently mounted them on cork bark and they are doing great!

I also recently got some more dendrobiums, and considering how poorly the others did in pots, I am certainly eager to mount the new ones! My problem is...the new ones are all root bound in their pots. How do I mount these without destroying the root system?

The new ones are 3 phal types ('Hollywood', Burana 'Green Star' and a noid white), as well as a nobile and anosmum. Any big differences I need to be aware of as far as mounting goes with the last two?

thank you!

[WhiteRabbit]

Sorry you didn't get any replies - I was one who looked at your post, but didn't have any advice for you - I have only mounted small plants with few roots. Also I think the view count includes non-members.

Since your plant has masses of roots, if a few are damaged in the process it shouldn't be a problem. I see someone replied to your original post and suggested perhaps using pantyhose - sounds like a good possibility! gl!

[reanaosrhyt]

Thanks!
The view count including non-members makes me feel better. I was beginning to feel the situation was hopeless if all the smart people on the OB had no idea. For some reason, I just can't get dends to grow well in pots, they all get root rot no matter how long I go between waterings, no matter how dry the media is. Anyway, thank you!

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by reanaosrhyt

Thanks!
The view count including non-members makes me feel better. I was beginning to feel the situation was hopeless if all the smart people on the OB had no idea. For some reason, I just can't get dends to grow well in pots, they all get root rot no matter how long I go between waterings, no matter how dry the media is. Anyway, thank you!

Good luck with your mount!

[natasha]

maybe its the type of pot too... i used to plant dens in plastic pots, but i found them fare better in clay pots... maybe you can try baskets too! some dens in nurseries are planted in baskets

[Lorraine]

I have 2 suggestions for you.

1. Mount on driftwood if you have a big enough space for it. Even virgin cork will work.

2. Plant in a wooden slated basket. I have a few that have not been redone in several years and they still bloom frequently for me on the old canes.

I use both methods and dens love both. Some dens are much larger than others so it also depends on how tall yours tends to be. Smaller sizes do great on driftwood that hang and eventually grow all around the wood. Mine in the baskets get watered with the yard 2/3x week & on the driftwood/cork daily since there is no other media. They seem to like being on the dryer side and both ways allow that to happen for me.

Hope this helps.

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by reanaosrhyt

Thanks!
The view count including non-members makes me feel better. I was beginning to feel the situation was hopeless if all the smart people on the OB had no idea. For some reason, I just can't get dends to grow well in pots, they all get root rot no matter how long I go between waterings, no matter how dry the media is. Anyway, thank you!

View count does include non-members/guest and quite often the nunber of users online will have 100s of guests at once and just a few registered members.

I'm afraid I was one of those who was a member who looked but could not help. Sometimes it's just a case of the right person seeing it which is why I try and bump them sometimes if they have dropped a long way down with no answers.

[Call_Me_Bob]

i dont know. i am new to dens but i am very interested in the answer


BUMP!

[gnathaniel]

Hi Reana, I would suggest that you leave your nobile and anosmum in their tight pots unless there is some other compelling reason to repot, like obvious root rot going on. This group of Dens LOVES being pot-bound, some of the best ones I've seen look like they haven't been moved in 15-20 years.

If you do repot, use a smaller pot than you would for a similar-sized plant of another genus. I usually put these in a mix of shpagnum and gravel or LECA so they can stay where they are for a long time. Epi/Ecoweb cubes would probably work really well, too.

I use clay pots, net pots, or wooden baskets for most of my Eudendrobium ('nobile-type') plants. They like a lot fo water when they're growing but also really good drainage.

If you want to mount (these will do great mounted) use something that lasts a long time, like treefern, cork, driftwood or mopani from the pet store, or if you want to go cheaper then find some crape myrtle (don't know if these grow in NH), red cedar, rhododendron, etc. I grow in my house and don't want to water every single day so I use generous sphag pads and they really love it. Phalaenanthe Dens also love being mounted but I use less sphag with them because they're so rot-prone, especially when starting new growths. Hope this helps!

--Nat

[Swamper]

Maybe an update here