potting/repotting sedirea japonica in spike - Orchid Board

jzeigler88 · #1 03-29-2020, 10:46 AM

Hello all, I have a question about potting a sedirea that is in spike. I know repotting phalaenospsis in bloom can cause earlu bloom/bud loss, but what about potting a sedirea japonica with a spike into a new, more formal neo pot? I have a small/medium sedirea japonica (nagoran) that is growing in sphagnum moss in a plastic net pot that has a 3 inch or so spike on it. Id like to transfer the orchid into a ceramic neofinetia pot and do a minor adjustment of the moss to help the roots breath better and not stay wet for too long. I would essentially not completely demoss the roots, but decrease the moss density, as well as loosly wrap some moss around the loostened roots so as to fit nicely in a neo pot. I wouldn't be cutting or removing any of its current roots either. Is this a bad idea or is it ok to go ahead with repotting? I do not want to overly stress the plant, and I want it to bloom, that's for sure. I do believe that removing some of the excess moss could improve root aeration, and it would be nice to have it set into its more permanent pot for its blooms and for promoting growth into its new pot as early as possible. Do sedirea japonica shock really easy and abort spikes? Or , can they handle something liem this, especially if I am continuing to grow it in sphagnum moss? Sould I just wait until it blooms?

aliceinwl · #2 03-29-2020, 02:18 PM

Mine wasn’t doing well for me last year, but was still spiking. I went ahead and carefully repotted it and the spike developed without issue, but more importantly I think I really improved root health by not waiting.

Maybe wait for a second opinion, but I’d go ahead and repot.

jzeigler88 · #3 03-29-2020, 04:50 PM

Thank you aliceinwl. I think that is good advice, especially after I read elsewhere that when in spike, but before bud formation, orchids can be carefully repotted, just take care to not harm the roots. I don't think it can really blast if it doesn't have buds yet, so I think I am going to repot it carefully. Most importantly, I am sure I will be doing it and its roots a favor.

Keysguy · #4 03-29-2020, 05:18 PM

I've killed 3 of those so you definitely do NOT want my advice.

Interestingly, I have a Vanda 'Little One' (Vandopsis parishii x Sedirea japonica) that I've had for several years and it does just fine reliably giving me 2 spikes every year. (it's in spike now). I treat it like it's more vanda (high light, lots of water) which it's not but seems to be working.