BEST DIBBLE EVER!

[dounoharm]

when you have a lot of potting to do! I like to 'hard pot' my cattleyas, firmly! this is the best dibble ever! I think its either a rail road spike, or a punch used on the pipelines....



its just the right size for me, with a big rounded end, just enough weight, and the little end helps with the little pots!

[Leafmite]

What do you mean by 'hard pot'? I have never heard this term and I am curious.

[dounoharm]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

What do you mean by 'hard pot'? I have never heard this term and I am curious.

when you are finished potting, you should be able to grab the plant to carry it to a tray, without it coming out of the pot....pot clips are for weenies, lol!
that's for cattleyas only tho….they like to be potted hard and firm, no wiggle!

you cant use your thumbs to push big chunks down without causing PAIN!

most people use the end of a broom, rounded wood...but the weight is just right on this spike!

[Leafmite]

Thanks for explaining it. I heard that is the way most professionals do it and, certainly, the healthy Cattleyas I have bought can be lifted by the orchid and remain in the pot. With Cattleyas hating their roots being disturbed while growing, it is the way to go.

The only reason I will not follow this method is that I never quite mastered watering in bark (to put it mildly). I even have tried good quality bark mixes (from a vendor in our OS) and failed. I either don't water enough and kill the roots or I water too often and kill the roots. So, yes, I am one of those who has to wire and stake the orchids and then not move the pot for the next three or four months until the Cattleya is well-established...the more difficult way, certainly. :|

Good luck with all your new orchids! I look forward to seeing the pictures of them as they grow and, eventually, when they bloom.

[Paphluvr]

Originally Posted by dounoharm

when you have a lot of potting to do! I like to 'hard pot' my cattleyas, firmly! this is the best dibble ever! I think its either a rail road spike, or a punch used on the pipelines....

Attachment 133481

its just the right size for me, with a big rounded end, just enough weight, and the little end helps with the little pots!

I found the rounded end of the handle of a toilet plunger works great, too (well rinsed, off course).

[No-Pro-mwa]

Well I'm a weenie, I'm afraid I will damage a root so I have to sometimes use clips.