New Really Big Dendrobiums What to Do?
 

I recieved 4 large Dendrobiums from Carmela's Orchids 2 of which are really really big. All of them are in smallish pots and appear to be root bound?? From the looks of the photo's do any of you think I should repot into next size or leave them alone? On one of the large Dens. there is a growth is that a spike or a new cane? I have moved all 4 of them from the house into the greenhouse. I don't plan on potting these in s/h medium at least not right now. If I repot I will repot in similar medium they are in now.

Any comments suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Sheridan :waving

The one in picture #3 looks perfect to go in S/H now. Lots of new roots growing. Dens do like to be pot bound somewhat. The problem I see is these guys will get huge. I have a Den. Paskal Kuning 'Hawaii' in bloom now and that sucker has a 36" cane on it not counting the spike! :shock: The taller they get the more top heavy they are. S/H seems like a perfect fit because it makes the pots heavier. The medium doesn't look too bad. I'd wait and repot to S/H. They really resent repotting so the less often you do it the better they like it. :twocents:

Are these a special type of Den. getting so big or do all Dens. get this big. :shock:

Sheridan

Those are some great looking plants. I hope they are not too big for you. Carmela always seems to deliver quality plants. Keep us posted with new pictures often.

Sheridan, it's still a little too early to tell but I think that's a spike. Is this one of the huge Dends you're talking of? Could it be an Antelope Dend? These get huge. I've got one that's over 3&1/2 ft. tall and growing taller with each new cane. It flowers all year long, no winter rest. And the average Phal type Dends can get huge, also. Dends come in all sizes. The mini's are cute too, have a few and really enjoy them.

As for re-potting, it's always best to do this when you have new root and/or cane growth which I see you do, so now would be a good time . The problem with Dends is their massive root bound growth and freeing the roots from the medium. I'd definitely advise soaking the plant first and what doesn't fall away, just pot up into the new container. When I received my Antelope Dend., it was impossible to even remove the pot so the entire plant (pot and all) went into the next size container and it hasn't suffered the least for it.

Hope this helps.

P.S. Give Archie a big kiss for me!:biggrin:

Thanks Mike for the kind words...
Sandy, wouldn't the name state if it is an Antelope Den.?
Had I known they were this big I would have ordered some mini's...:rofl:
Egads I may have to cut a hole in the GH roof. :rofl:

I will start repotting them this week but first I need to get some new pots.

I kissed Archie for ya! :D
Sheridan

Sheridan, I just pulled Den. Paskal Kuning 'Hawaii' up on OrchidWiz. The percentage of species in the geneology is as follows:

Den. schulleri 50% grows to 39" :shock:
Den. phalaenopsis 30% can grow from 16" - 48"
Den. tokai 11% grows to 31"
Den. discolor 6% can grow from 16" - 197" :shock:
Den. stratiotes 3% can grow from 15" - 79"

With 50% schulleri it's got no chance of being small to intermediate in size. :lol:

Thanks Terri for the info on Dens. from Orchidwiz...

Sheridan