repotting large Brs. Edvah Loo 'Nishida' - Orchid Board

MrsSky · #1 05-13-2012, 01:07 PM

Hi there,
First I would like to say "Thank you". The orchid board members have given me so much good advice. I re-read old posts when I have a problem and my orchids are so very grateful!
I'm hoping to get some advice for my mother's day orchid. It is a very large Brs. Edvah Loo 'Nishida'. I have a 15 inch bowl from HD hoping to simply drop it in as I have done before for other large oncidium/oncidium hybrids. It is too big for the 15 inch bowl (I would have to remove 2 or 3 clumps). Would this orchid be a good candidate for a large tree fern pot (I saw a 12 inch pot at Quarter Acre Orchid) where the orchid could grow onto the pot itself or should I look for a monster bowl? I would prefer to not rip it up-but it appears to be growing up in the middle also. I am including pics.
TIA, Mrs. Sky

dounoharm · #2 05-13-2012, 02:59 PM

i think a 'haircut' is in order....just trim the side clumps off and repot them in smaller pots, and let the main plant go in a larger pot.....gl

WhiteRabbit · #3 05-13-2012, 06:43 PM

Wow - that's fabulous! I can understand not wanting to divide - but remember, it's probably going to grow like a weed anyway, so even with dividing it, you'll have some pretty big plants in no time again. And, 'dividing' doesn't have to mean breaking down into small pieces - you can just take a small division or two, like Nora suggested, leaving the bulk of the plant in tact.

And you can then always try the tree fern pot for the large division. I think if you don't want to divide it, it's gonna need a really big pot, tree fern or otherwise.

james mickelso · #4 06-01-2012, 02:02 AM

I don't know. I hesitate to divide this plant but instead drop it into a larger pot leaving about 2 inches of room around the outside. Orchids this large are rare because we tend to cut them back or divide them due to imited space in our homes. I say let it get bigger for another season or two. Take it to a show when it is in bloom. Take it into the shower once a week and let it drink. Just turn it over to drain the water out of the crowns. I just hate the thought of dividing something this grand. Whatever you decide....ok. I just love them large and stunning. Colmanara jungle monarch in a 12 inch pot and getting bigger. It was unusual this year only two flower spikes. I think I neglected it too much this winter. But it has 8 new growths coming up around the outer edges. Also a few in the center. I'll grow it as large as practical.

Baz in Oz · #5 06-01-2012, 04:39 AM

I have no trouble growing one of these but the damn thing won't flower.
It has been suggested I need more light - anyone have any other suggestions?

Baz

camille1585 · #6 06-01-2012, 04:43 AM

I agree, it would be a shame to divide such a beautiful large plant! A larger pot like it already has (wide and shallow) would work very nice. In France such large bowls do exist, they are used for funeral arrangements.

MrsSky · #7 06-01-2012, 09:21 AM

Wow, thank you for all of the feedback.
Once my family leaves, I'll put more effort into finding it a good pot.

tucker85 · #8 06-01-2012, 09:43 AM

I agree with some of the others that dividing such a beautiful specimen would be a shame. If you do divide it, it will take years to get that large again. There are large azalea pots avaiable that would be good for a plant that size. They're shallower than normal pots and bulb pan pots are even shallower. Good luck and congratulations on growing such a spectacular orchid.