Repotting a root bound orchid

[SaraJean]

Seriously though... I don't even know what to do with this. This is my new den. spectabile that just came in from H&R Nursery and it has the most insanely healthy root system I have seen on an orchid straight from the a grower. This entire thing is roots, the more I try dig the more roots I find. I spent 45 minutes trying to find bark to pull out and only came up with 3 large pieces and not a single dead root. Now I am just breaking more roots while digging around than actually removing any old media. The picture came out a little dark but I assure you, those roots are as perfect as perfect can be. So how in the heck would you handle this repot?! I grow all of my dens in lava rock and leca, bark is a no go since it stays too wet for me and the way I grow. The last spectabile I had died when I waited to long to take it out of its bark and the roots tuned to mush. (I am familiar with latouria types now and successfully grow several after I killed that one)


So I'm at the point where I don't know whether to shove it in a clay pot and just fill in around the edges with my rock mixture or do I take a knife and cut the root ball so I can get to the center. HELP ME PLEASE

[Roberta]

Stop digging and don't cut! Just put it in a pot big enough to contain it (and maybe an inch or so more) and fill in with your rock mixture (maybe mixed with a bit of bark) New roots will grow into the new area Den spectabile is not a petite plant. Let it grow and it will live up to its name.

[SaraJean]

Well that works for me! I think I am just worried that I will leave something that will desiccate the center roots. I was getting so frustrated I had to take a break and pour myself a big gulp size stiff drink. And yes, this sucker is gonna be large. It's just barley blooming size in a 5" pot and about 20" tall from the base with two more growths started. Can't wait till it really grows up!

[Roberta]

We get so used to receiving plants that need CPR when we get them that we freak out when we get a really healthy one.

I think this "baby" will be really happy in your climate. I love 'em but I'd have to grow it in my little greenhouse and then I wouldn't have room for anything else so I have to admire the ones that other people grow. Be sure to post pictures as this youngster matures!

[estación seca]

Yes, stop digging! Just drop it into something larger and put more bark around it.

[SaraJean]

Done and done! Thank you both for calming this old bird down

[Roberta]

That looks like one happy plant. Clay pot was also a good idea... you will appreciate the weight. And as it outgrows what it is in, you can just whack the pot with a hammer to open things up (and not worry about removing what is stuck on) and drop it into a bigger one.

[Optimist]

I have a big paph like that. I just plunked it in another pot (bigger) and threw some medium in th epot around the outside of the roots. A year later, little snakes of roots were sneaking out and following the orbit again, making an even bigger "ball of string" type root ball. I think a bigger pot?

I think-- from experience, that too much handling is bad and puts a plant in shock. My usual repotting consists of shaking it out, spraying some water on the roots to dislodge any pill bugs/slugs, loose broken down medium or dirt, and giving it a little dip in 3 way Neem oil, miticide, fungicide, and then putting it in a bigger pot with new media around the outside.

If the middle wants to rot out, it's no big deal. It happens to bromiliads all the time. You know that some of the p-bulbs are going to die, and some new will be born. That is what happens. Old ones die (usually in the center) and you pop those out, and have a hole in the center.

[SaraJean]

Originally Posted by Roberta

whack... with a hammer.

Is this a technical term?
You sound like the all of the orthopedic surgeons I used to work with. Every single one of them thought that anything and everything could be fixed by whacking it with a hammer.. The saw's broke? Hit it with a hammer. Hip implant stuck? Hit it with a hammer. Screw won't go down? Hit it with a hammer. Patient moving? Hit it with a hammer


But really, that is exactly what I plan on doing. One of the many reasons I love growing in clay

---------- Post added at 10:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:04 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Optimist

I have a big paph like that. I just plunked it in another pot (bigger) and threw some medium in th epot around the outside of the roots. A year later, little snakes of roots were sneaking out and following the orbit again, making an even bigger "ball of string" type root ball. I think a bigger pot?

I think-- from experience, that too much handling is bad and puts a plant in shock. My usual repotting consists of shaking it out, spraying some water on the roots to dislodge any pill bugs/slugs, loose broken down medium or dirt, and giving it a little dip in 3 way Neem oil, miticide, fungicide, and then putting it in a bigger pot with new media around the outside.

If the middle wants to rot out, it's no big deal. It happens to bromiliads all the time. You know that some of the p-bulbs are going to die, and some new will be born. That is what happens. Old ones die (usually in the center) and you pop those out, and have a hole in the center.

I feel better now hearing all of this, thanks! I think I was just in total shock at seeing something so healthy

[Dollythehun]

They are huge plants. Speaking from experience, choose a lower wider pot next time. Feed until fall then water only. Higher light than you might guess also. Mine is a beast.