Den. Finisterrae and Coel. Incrassata repot
 

Recently got two new orchids and both need repotting. The Dendrobium finisterrae was in pretty decayed and wet bark and doesn’t have a lot of roots. But it does have a vigorous new growth which is about an inch tall. So I’m thinking now is a good time. I’m thinking a slightly larger pot with fresh bark and some perlite. Anyone have experiences I should know about?

The Coelogyne incrassata was in a net pot with long sphagnum packed quite densely. It probably would have been fine for one more year, but it did have quite a bit of moss growing on it and I wanted to check on things. My understanding is that they really like be quite damp. I could redo in the pot with moss or coconut husk. For really wet loving plants I prefer the husks to moss.

A member of our society brought one in for show and tell last month and I think his was mounted. That would be neat, but I have no idea how I would keep it watered. I do have some tree fern poles that might hold enough water for it. Any thoughts?

Sounds like a good time for potting that Den. As for the Coelogyne... the net pot and long fiber sphagnum combination works for a lot of things that would grow well mounted, making the watering easier to maintain. I use the approach for lots of things - the sphag dries out quickly, there is lots of air, but it stays moist a bit longer than a mount would. So that sounds to me like a good approach for it.

Given the condition of the Den., I'd be especially stingy on pot size.

Hey Rothrock42! I've just got a Coel. incrassata myself, I've been keeping it moist in my terrarium, and the moss it came with is very green with algea. I dont know if I should repot it though. How has yours done in the net, if you did that?