When to repot seedlings?

[KristenReuel]

Hello,

Today I bought two seedlings, specifically a Gongora galeottiana and an Aerides multiflora. Both were classified as "medium seedlings".

I'd like to eventually switch them from the sphagnum moss they are in, to hanging baskets with a bark/sphagnum mix. I've never had seedlings before, and I am wondering if there is some sort of general rule for when you can take seedlings out of their comfy sphagnum beds and repot them?

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by KristenReuel

Hello,

Today I bought two seedlings, specifically a Gongora galeottiana and an Aerides multiflora. Both were classified as "medium seedlings".

I'd like to eventually switch them from the sphagnum moss they are in, to hanging baskets with a bark/sphagnum mix. I've never had seedlings before, and I am wondering if there is some sort of general rule for when you can take seedlings out of their comfy sphagnum beds and repot them?

The general rule is to repot when the media is bad or the plant outgrows the pot! Any pics of your little guys?

[KristenReuel]

Thanks! How exactly do I tell if sphagnum moss goes bad?

This is the Gongora. I think I'm going to repot it very soon because it's grown to the edge of the pot.




This is the Aerides



I also got this beautiful Paph. Wossner Greyimic

[isurus79]

You can tell when moss goes bad when it turns dark, is not spongy or gets a green slime (algae) on top of the media. Sprinkling a little bit of dolomite on top of your spag can increase its longevity, but it usually doesn't last much longer than two years. Never use anything that isn't called long fiber spag, is usually from New Zealand (Chile has some good stuff too) and is a nice yellow to light tan color when brand new.

I would wait until you have a new growth that is a few inches long on your Gongora before you repot. Also wait until your other orchids are actively putting out new root growth before you repot, otherwise your plants will sulk and not bloom for a long time.

[KristenReuel]

Hi! Thanks for your reply

I would wait with the Gongora, but there is no room for it to grow any farther at the edge of the pot where the newest bulbs are. It's flush up against the edge. Wouldn't any new growth become smooshed?

Also, how can I tell if the Aerides has new root growth if it's below the sphagnum? I have a vanda that develops new roots farther up the plant each time. Should I wait for the Aerides to develop roots above the sphagnum?

Thanks again

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by KristenReuel

Hi! Thanks for your reply

I would wait with the Gongora, but there is no room for it to grow any farther at the edge of the pot where the newest bulbs are. It's flush up against the edge. Wouldn't any new growth become smooshed?

Also, how can I tell if the Aerides has new root growth if it's below the sphagnum? I have a vanda that develops new roots farther up the plant each time. Should I wait for the Aerides to develop roots above the sphagnum?

Thanks again

The new growth on the Gongora will be fine. It'll figure it out, they always do! Repotting too early would do more harm than a tight fit for a short time around a new growth.

As for the Aerides, I can't really help you with these guys because I don't grow them! Maybe someone else can chime in on this thread or you could post a question in the Vanda forum where more Vanda experts are likely to see the Q.