Odd experience - Carter/Holmes

[coirchoir]

Thanks all for the good feedback.
Rogerman I have been doing this orchid thing for a few years myself - the only thing I've been successful with has been a sharry baby and that's been enough to take me on a roller coaster orchid education ride - through its incredible annual flowering and a few years later, ant infestation and resuscitation, and dividing afetr which only one half is now still flowering. I tried my hand at nursing a flask but not having all the range of equipment and expertise that would allow me to grow the seedlings, I learnt my limits there. So I thought I'd try something a little less dicey - a few dugups would be something I could handle. Guess moral of the story is one shd read multiple advice/culture sheets...it does take a lot of learning to egt everything right - even when things dont go right there's no way of saying 100% this or that, except in this situation all plants had the same thing done to them..
Duane - I agree C&H seem to be a good vendor and have ahd a lot of happy press; but their instructions do need work. your modified language for their care sheet is probably spot on - and I will pass it on to them as a suggestion when I send them my next reminder :0
Ron and Gin - I agree; will give them a couple more weeks and then write again!

[Jerry Delaney]

Ok, I am going to be the "odd person out" here. Carter & Holmes (to my knowledge) still trim the roots on their own plants. It was a common practice with many Catt breeders/growers many years ago and many still use that practice today. Everyone's culture methods are different. It doesn't necessarily make one method wrong and another right; it just makes them different. I am NOT going to advocate that everyone start trimming their roots. However it was and still is a common practice with many growers. I have followed this practice for nearly 30 years now and have never had a problem related to that practice. It evidently is not the standard practice for most here on the "Board", but please, I will not criticize all of those here who do not trim the roots when repotting if you don't criticize those who follow the trimming practice. There are sound reasons for both methods. Carter and Holmes has been a consistent source for good, healthy Catts and will remain high on my vendor list.

[coirchoir]

Hi Jerry -
Glad you have a different point of view.
Perhaps we can all learn.
Do you think ALL roots should be trimmed, and do you think they shd be trimmed 3/4 of the way down to the base of the pot? Just really asking to learn. Remember, these are supposed to be dug ups for 4" pots to begin with. The height of the pot itself is not more than 4-5" too. SO 3/4 of the way would mean keeping only about 3-4" of root - i.e. less than half of the length of the root it came with!! Lovely plump heathy roots! Now that I think of it, I should have questioned that right away - but the C&H website, and instructions and packing and the plants all looked so professionally done that I shut down the quiet voice in my heart and yielded to what I thought were the experts.
No matter the difference in trimming practice - something seems wrong with those combination of instructions.

[Jerry Delaney]

Paphs and Phrags are about the only genera that I don't trim back routinely and on many occasions I will trim the roots on Phrags. One of the things that makes orchids different from most plants is the fact that they do not form a main permanent root system. When you repot a plant, most of the roots present on the plant are going to die. Some do this quite rapidly, others take longer. I have always felt that leaving a huge mass of roots that may die and rot fairly soon after repotting is a good way to speed up the breakdown of your potting media. I usually trim the roots so that they do not go down into the pot more than 2/3 to 3/4 of the way. We all have our own favorite potting media, watering schedules, etc as well as variable growing conditions. What works for me (or for Carter and Holmes) may spell sure death for you or other growers. Please understand, I am not criticizing you or others if potting with untrimmed roots works for you. I do object though that what I consider to be a reliable source for quality orchids be condemned for recommending a procedure that has been successful in their hands for years.