When to switch to primeagra

[rachel.gazelles]

Hi there, I have a question about my Onc. Hawaiian Sunset. I purchased it at the beginning of summer expecting to switch it to s/h when it started putting out new roots. I don't like what it's in now, and it is pretty unstable in its current pot. It looks as though it has started to put out a new shoot, which I was super excited about because I haven't had an oncidium bloom for me!!
But while inspecting the new shoot I realized it is also putting out 3 tiny new roots. While I was really excited about switching it to s/h, should I wait until it's finished blooming to make the switch? I really don't want to lose the spike, but at the same time it is so unstable I'm afraid of the new roots breaking once they get longer. What do you think??

Here's a few pictures because everyone loves pictures, right? :-)

[Zoi2]

I would probably transfer it to S/H now if you do not have a spike.
Joann

[rachel.gazelles]

Thanks Joann for the reply..
I'm sorry, I dont think I was clear, when I said it's putting up a new shoot I meant spike! You can kind of see it in the first picture I posted, sorry the pictures aren't great. But with the new spike forming would you still transfer it?

[Ray]

The best time to transplant ANY orchid is right when it is forming new roots. For many plants, the formation of new roots and new flower spikes do not coincide.

However, those photos tell me that your plant probably does not have any viable old roots in that medium, so will likely die if conditions are not improved.

I suggest the following:

1. Unpot the plant and thoroughly clean the old medium from what remains of the viable roots.
2. Soak the plant for about an hour in tepid water containing about a teaspoon per gallon of a decent, fresh, rooting hormone solution.
3. Pot it in fresh medium (going to S/H is fine, but don't expect it to be more of a savior than any other culture).
4. Put the pot on a seedling heat mat to accelerate root growth.
5. Invert a clear plastic bag over the plant and pot to trap humidity.

Be prepared to lose the emerging spike. It can be a drain on an already-weak plant.

[isurus79]

Hey Rachel,
Any update on this one? I'd be curious to see how this plant is doing if you repotted it. For me, roots always take precedence over a spike, so it would be an easy choice for myself.

I also want to mention that if you have any problems with your orchids, the Heart of Texas Orchid Society (HOTOS) meets at Zilker Park on the first Tuesday of the month, which means I'll be there at 7PM tomorrow (Nov. 1st). PM me if your are interested and/or need more details.

[rachel.gazelles]

Sorry I'm so late responding! As I was repotting the orchid, I noticed the roots were still in pretty good shape beneath the surface, so I decided to keep it in the bark mix it's currently in until it has finished blooming. The spike is now growing pretty tall, and it is still sending out more new roots.

I am very interested in the Heart of Texas orchid society.. Since I am too late for this month's meeting.. I will plan to go to next months! Thank you for telling me about it!

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by rachel.gazelles

I am very interested in the Heart of Texas orchid society.. Since I am too late for this month's meeting.. I will plan to go to next months! Thank you for telling me about it!

No problem! Here is the website: Heart O' Texas Orchid Society - Home You can also shoot me a PM if you have questions. FYI- December's meeting is a bit different than normal as I think it might be a potluck rather than a speaker. I can find out more if you are interested or you can just pop by for the January meeting.

[Ben Belton]

Originally Posted by Ray

[*]Soak the plant for about an hour in tepid water containing about a teaspoon per gallon of a decent, fresh, rooting hormone solution.

Ray, can you recommend a rooting hormone. Seems I've tried to dissolve Root Tone in the past and it doesn't dissolve. Maybe I'm wrong. I have a Den I'm going to lose if something doesn't happen.

[DelawareJim]

Ben;

Rootone doesn't dissolve in water as it is a talc based wettable powder.

I found a list of commercially available rooting hormones which I’ve attached as a separate document.

Cheers.
Jim

[rachel.gazelles]

When i transplant, I usually use the KLN rooting hormone from Dynagro.. I think Ray sells it on his website. I'm not an expert, but i can usually see a difference in how quickly roots form when I soak the media in it versus when I don't use it.