Is it time to repot this Den phal?

[Fran20]

Tag says this Den phal type was last repotted in lava rock on 11/18. It's currently in a 3.25" pot.
Please advise: Does it look like it needs to be repotted? If yes, then is now a good time? Also, should I use a 4" pot? Many thanks.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Do you only use lava rock?

If so, you have unlimited options ( so you speak) because your medium is inorganic it will never need to be replaced so it only needs to accommodate the needs of the plant and the grower.

The plastic pot might be restricting the airflow but without seeing the bottom I can’t say. I’d probably use a knife to score the pot a lot and then drop it into a 6” pot with more lava rock around it. Then there is zero stress to the plant and it can just do it’s thing for a while.

I find a normal 6-8” pot filled with rock can accommodate a hard cane den for a lot of years.


What size lava rock was in the previous pot?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Fran20

Tag says this Den phal type was last repotted in lava rock on 11/18. It's currently in a 3.25" pot.
Please advise: Does it look like it needs to be repotted? If yes, then is now a good time? Also, should I use a 4" pot? Many thanks.

This would be a good time, since there is new growth with new roots (and the plant is climbing out of the pot so from that point of view it has needed it for awhile) If roots will fit in a 4 inch pot, that would be OK. But with lava rock, overpotting really isn't an issue since it drains so well... if it were my plant, I would probably go straight to a 5".

[Fran20]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

Do you only use lava rock? What size lava rock was in the previous pot?

Use only lava rock. Size of pieces ranges between 1/2" and 3⁄4".

---------- Post added at 11:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:29 AM ----------

Thanks, DC and Roberta. Your advice is much appreciated!