How would you repot? - Orchid Board

OhioBob · #1 08-05-2013, 11:10 PM

I have a Dendrobium potted in a clay pot. Two days ago the dog knocked it over and broke the pot. It is still sitting mostly in a pot shape, the broken shards are still sitting around the media so it isn't loose. Most of one side is shattered while a quarter is still solid, Not sure about the bottom but the plant is still upright and the media is in the pot.
So I am thinking of either removing all the part shards and repotting by using new media or should remove the smallest shards and repot by putting what is left of the pot into another pot and filling with more media as needed? The media is a mix of lava rock and bark (70-30). The bark is still good. too late at night to get a picture but I'll try tomorrow.

Bud · #2 08-06-2013, 01:12 AM

The pot is broken = you must get the plant into a new one. But be careful, what kind of Dendrobium is it? Some don't like the roots disturbed= you might have a sulking plant that will not bloom for a year.

tucker85 · #3 08-06-2013, 07:46 AM

I would go with the first option, remove all the pot shards and repot into fresh mix.

stonedragonfarms · #4 08-06-2013, 11:34 AM

I'm with Bud; what sort of dendrobium is it, but also, what sort of media is it in? Now is sort of an odd time to repot most of the dendrobiums without doing some major root damage to the new roots; if I were in your situation, I'd drop the shattered pot into a clay pot one size larger, leave the media alone (and the broken pot) and proceed with repotting as per usual next spring.
Just my 2c,
Adam

OhioBob · #5 08-06-2013, 10:49 PM

The tag on the plant says Den. Woon Leng. I know about the sulking. I got it as a sale plant after the flowers were gone and it did well for a year or two although I couldn't get it to bloom. I got several keikis off of it though. I repotted last year into lava rock and bark and it has been doing really well-- but still not blooming. I really have been hoping this was the year to get blooms.
The plant and the pot are still sitting on the deck where my wife reoriented it upright from the fall and put the pieces of pottery back like a jigsaw puzzle. Many roots are holding onto the largest pieces of the pot (the side which is still connected to most of the bottom) and some are on the smaller pieces. I thought I could soak them and gently lift the roots off the small pieces and dispose of them.
I will plan on repotting the broken pot and plant together and hopefully the plant will recover quickly.
If you can think why I can't get it to bloom I would love to hear. I have another dendrobium noid that I can't stop flowering. Both are hard non deciduous varieties and neither seem to want a winter rest. (I am going on that theory at least)

Bud · #6 08-07-2013, 12:18 AM

Your orchid plant is a Dendrobium Phalaenopsis type of hybrid.... the normal growth habit of most of this kind of Dendrobiums is to go into a period of rest following flowering. Since these plants are deciduous, they tend to lose most or all leaves following flowering. Do not remove these leafless canes. Some types of Dendrobiums will still produce flowers on these old canes. New growers fail to recognize the cyclic nature of growth and rest and continue to water and feed their Dendrobiums even when they have entered their rest period. When the watering continues, the plant may skip their rest period, in whole or part. If the rest period (maybe a couple of months=spritz it if the canes get too shrivelled) is not respected, it will continue to send up new growth (keikis). Over the years, the new growths continue to diminish in size. For now, continue to water and feed your Dendrobium. However, if these new growths flower, you should reduce the watering to every other week. The purpose of this watering is to maintain healthy canes without taking the plant out of its rest period. Do not remove any keikis unless its got three inches roots as these will play a role in starting healthy new growth and will produce flowers.

WhiteRabbit · #7 08-07-2013, 06:08 PM

Er ... Den-phals are not deciduous

OhioBob · #8 08-07-2013, 11:54 PM

I don't think this plant is deciduous. I have a picture to attach. The tallest stalk grew and additional 3 inches this year. I have tried the rest period so this year I am going to try continuous watering.
So anyway, the pot on the right is what I plan on putting the plant and most of the pot in.
I forgot these were sideways.

katrina · #9 08-08-2013, 08:35 AM

The new pot appears to be a bit too big. It looks like the old pot had plenty of grow room so I would keep the pot size the same. Otherwise you risk possible root issues.

As for the flowering...usually when a plant isn't flowering it means the plant isn't getting enough light to bloom. Very rarely is it a function of watering or not watering...at least not w/this type of Den. Try increasing your light...but do it gradually so you don't burn the leaves.

james mickelso · #10 08-08-2013, 02:09 PM

The leaves look the proper color as to the amount of light it has gotten. I would just carefully peel off the roots adhering to the old pot. Do this when the roots are dry for a couple days. Slide a thin knife between the root and pot wall. Then pot it into the same size pot it was in and put in the same media. Don't water for at least a day after the procedure so the plant can heal any wounds. If you put it into the larger pot it will not be able to dry out and rot will develop. If you repot now, carefully, the plant won't skip a beat. If you repot this next season after drop potting this now you will set it back at least a season. No need to do that. Just carefully peel the roots from the sides of the broken pottery and repot into the same size pot now. Be bold.