Super-tall Brassia

[monivik]

I'm in the process of re-potting my orchids and my Brassia has certainly grown out of it's pot, in fact it's growing upwards. The new pseudo-bulbs are pushing upwards and are no longer in the medium. How do I even split it into 2? I think it's time to divide it, I mean it's really sticking out of the pot.

[MrHappyRotter]

If it's pure Brassia, some of those produce slightly enlongated rhizomes so they tend to creep a bit, a habit that is perfectly normal. If the new growths are growing upwards, there are a few things I'm thinking it could be. They might be reaching for more light, trying to escape deteriorating conditions in the pot such as decayed potting mix, or it could be that they've run out of room and are growing over top the old growths.

Regardless, I would say a repot is in order. Get it some fresh mix and a slightly larger pot, and that'll go a long way. For growths that are climbing, you may find that you can secure them back down into the potting mix, since the rhizomes tend to be a bit flexible. Just go slowly and don't use too much force, especially if the growths are very young. Otherwise, you may need to prop some moss around the aerial roots of the climbing growths and hope that you can coax their new growths to head back down to lower altitudes once they start developing.

If the plant is growing new roots now or you know that new roots are coming soon, it's a great time to repot. Same thing goes if you know the potting mix is in bad shape and the root system is suffering anyway, you might as well go for it.

[monivik]

Thanks MrHappyRotter. Yes, actually the potting mix was not so great anymore, it was definitely time to repot, but I've had this one for many years and repotting was way overdue.


I've actually managed to divide this orchid into 2, as it turns out there was a natural division which made it easy. However, of the orchids now has a lot of space, as this one wasn't that big.


The 2nd one though, actually it's still too big, I think I'm going to have to get a bigger pot for that one like you said. I don't have a bigger pot at the moment, but Ill have to get one someway.


I know you're supposed to put the new grows in the middle of the pot so that they'll get more space to grow, but in this case its impossible. I really think the only option will be getting a bigger pot.

[MrHappyRotter]

I grow a few different genera that tend to produce somewhat lengthy rhizomes. One "trick" I'll use is to clip 2 pots together, such that the newest growth(s) sit in the new pot. They eventually grow roots down in there and once they get some size on them, I'll sever the rhizome and get a division that way. It might be a consideration for you.

[monivik]

Originally Posted by MrHappyRotter

I grow a few different genera that tend to produce somewhat lengthy rhizomes. One "trick" I'll use is to clip 2 pots together, such that the newest growth(s) sit in the new pot. They eventually grow roots down in there and once they get some size on them, I'll sever the rhizome and get a division that way. It might be a consideration for you.

It took me a minute to exactly figure out what you meant, but now I can just see it in front of me. What a great idea! Never thought of that one. I am going to try the two pots thing. Thanks.