Repotting large Dendrobium fimbriatum - Orchid Board

Davesp310 · #1 10-01-2013, 06:44 AM

I have quite a large Dendrobium Fimbriatum ( I think that's what it is anyway, that's the closest looking picture I could find). Its in a terracotta pot around 14" diameter, and looks like its been in there for quite a while. It has maybe 20 canes, half with leaves, the other half bare (and carrying flowers)

I'm just wondering when is the best time to repot it (its flowering now, no sign of new growth), how to go about doing such a large specimen, and what to do with the "spent" canes that have been previously cut off at about 1" high. Or should I leave it as-is, since it seems to be growing fairly well ? The old potting mix looks more like soil and doesn't drain too well when watered. Do I just treat it like a smaller plant (the biggest I've repotted wqas in a 4" pot, so this is much larger) ?

Any tips would be appreciated !

kindrag23 · #2 10-01-2013, 02:32 PM

I would think you could repot it now. Especially since it looks like you have some old dried out dead canes in there...

RandomGemini · #3 10-01-2013, 03:43 PM

I think it's very pretty. I would definitely repot it now. I think those spent canes aren't doing the plant any favors and I would research how to divide this one, if it's possible. I don't know a lot about dendrobiums, but that's where I'd start looking for information, dividing, removing the spent canes and researching appropriate soils.

Bud · #4 10-01-2013, 04:13 PM

as the others have advised you, you may repot right now if you have the materials needed; even if you remove the dead canes you will still have a large specimen. You may repot it in the same pot but if you want to sell them you can repot in five canes per pot....just make sure that the roots are not stressed too much.

Davesp310 · #5 10-01-2013, 08:35 PM

Thanks, looks like I'll be getting stuck into it soon then.

I'd like to put it back in the same pot and keep it as a large specimen, its looking a little sad at the moment but if I get the "dead wood" out it will hopefully make quite a nice display.

Now to research what sort of potting mix it will like....

kindrag23 · #6 10-01-2013, 08:49 PM

My dens are in a orchid moss/better gro special mix mix. Seems to be working thus far. Bu I live in a really hot climate still....soooo ready for cool weather again. Good growing

theroc1217 · #7 10-02-2013, 04:31 PM

Personally, I would repot this. You can also try and clip off any dead roots, but even though the velum is dried out doesn't mean the whole root is useless.

I would get rid of anything that's obviously dead, and try to fit it in a bigger pot. I just repotted one of the jewel orchids our conservatory has and it's now in a 24" pot. It leaves room to grow, and if it does fill out it will look absolutely amazing when multiple canes bloom.