Which orchid would thrive in a basket?

[TimetoFindMe]

Hello Orchidboard! Since many of my guys are putting out new growth after blooming this winter/fall or are resuming growth since its spring, I have been repotting some that are growing too large for their pots.

I got a 4" basket because I'm trying to go up with my orchid collection and I know some of the varieties I have enjoy the air flow from a basket.

The orchids I have now that need repotting are:

-Doritaenopsis sp?- This was a rescue from Lowes. Its starting to put out a bunch of new roots and new leaves that lack the shriveling of the originals, so its recovering nicely.
-Oncidium Sweet Scent--currently in a 4" pot. I was planning on dividing the lead pseudobulb or placing it in a 6" pot as is. There are atleast 16 p-bulbs in the 4" pot. Its taking over the world.
-Brassavola nodosa x cordata
-Mtdm. Hawaiian Sunset: this plant is a rescue. It had critters on it and its finally recovered. The main bulbs are supremely shriveled but upon taking it out of its pot I was happy to see a ton of new root growth, as well as many very healthy white roots amongst the rot.
or
-Dendrobium Violet Fizz 'Luna'


All of the above are in 4" pots. The basket is a 4" basket but is a teeny wider than their current pots.

Should I put one of the above in it? Hold on to for a better candidate? What say you?

[Ray]

Any epiphyte CAN be grown in a basket, as long as your overall combination of conditions and ability to water frequently are right.

[TimetoFindMe]

I know they all can be grown in baksets (epiphytes), but I want to make sure I make the best selection, hehe. I was also trying to consider the habit of the flowers too.

I might stick the Brassavola in there so the flowers can hang down and fill the air at night. It'll probably be a day or two before I finally make a decision. I tend to over complicate simple things.

Thank you for the response, by the way.

[tucker85]

I would put either the Brassavola or the Oncidium in the basket. Doritaenopsis like to stay moist longer so I would leave in a pot. I'm not familiar with that dendrobium but some of them get very tall. But I do agree with Ray, any epiphyte will grow well in a basket and I find that they usually outperform the same orchid in a pot.

[TimetoFindMe]

Great, thank you very much. =)

I read more about my Dendrobium and it appears it'll get almost 20" tall so its probably best that I leave it in a pot that can support such tall structure.

I have the Brassavola hanging out in the basket for now to see how I feel about aesthetics wise since thats what it seems to be coming down to. The Mtdm. produces huge spikes that tends to snag on things so maybe that will work out?

Thanks again for the replies. I appreciate it.

[orchidsamore]

All orchids do well (except terrestrials) in baskets but 4 inches is too small for any except the B. Little Stars (nodosa x subulifloria) (subulifloria was formerly cordata) I list all the names so you will know any combination is the same plant.

The rest will do well in six in baskets. If you mount the Phals you should try using only two of the basket hooks and let the basket hang sideways. Phals grow down and the roots grow up. So grow them naturally. (P.S. tie them in with plastic coated twist ties)

[TimetoFindMe]

Thank you for your reply. Right now the B. Little Stars is putting out a new lead and some new roots after I moved it to a sunnier spot. I'll repot it there tomorrow and pick up a 6" basket for an experimental orchid from Lowes.

I want to try to mount the Miltonidium on tree fern if its pulls through. Its roots are so nice and theres so many knubs forming.

Thats for other threads. hehe

I am also moving back home to South Florida soon, so I'll hold off on my mounting experiments until I am in a place with nice humidity. I always loved the way natural growing sideways Phals look.