Two Questions

[Richard94571]

. A couple of weeks ago I bid on some orchid seedlings on ebay for fun. I've never won a bid before and was instantly bit buy the orchid bug. These are coming bare root. Is it better to buy them still in a pot?

After winning those, I had to have one NOW. The one in the picture came from Safeway Supermarket. I took it out of the pot and every single root was broken in several places. I've potted it and now wonder if I should cut off the flower spikes to make up for the messed up roots. I've had it since tuesday, the leaves seem to be staying firm and the flowers are holding. It's noid. I think it a novelty orchid because the stems are branched.

Any thoughts?

Thanks, Richard

[flhiker]

Hi Richard I can only respond to your first question, I too bought some seedlings from ebay (2 for .99) I bought 3 different ones. When I received them I potted 2 and mounted the other 4 and all but one have new grow after a month. So my guess is that it doesnt matter if they are bare root. Don't expect blooms for 3 or more years. good luck

[cb977]

Hi Richard,
I prefer getting them shipped bare-root...I always repot everything as soon as I get it anyway so why pay for the pot and medium in it?

[Dorothy]

I wouldn't cut the spike yet. Unless your spike has totally stopped growing and all the blooms have dried and fallen off .. I would add rooting solution (KLN for example) to your water and soak well .. remember to allow for drying between waterings. I have had spike ends regrow after I cut rotted roots off and gave them the care they needed.
This is just my experience ..
Good luck

[Ray]

Having the plants shipped in-pot is more expensive, but is likely (if the shipper knows what he's doing) to allow the plants to arrive with roots in better shape. However, you're going to want to have the plant potted in the medium that is best for the plant in your growing conditions anyway, so you'll likely repot.

It is not a good idea to repot a plant that's in bloom, as it can shock the plant into dumping the flowers. A plant in bloom is also not likely to be in an active "growth mode", so it's a bad time to repot anyway.

I just remind myself of an adage told to me some 35 years ago: "Blooming is a plant's expression of its sexuality. How would you like to be dumped out of bed while you were expressing yours?"

[cb977]

Ray, I love that quote!

I know it goes against the grain but I repot everything when get it...blooming or not. I haven't lost one yet...I've actually saved a few that were really yucky underneath the medium it came in. It's a risk I'm willing to take

[Dorothy]

Right on .. Sue
I can agree with Ray that it can slow down a plant ( possibly more so with other types of orchids) but not my phals .. not yet!
As far as the quote, if getting thrown out of bed improves your 'expression' .. heck .. the next time around is going to be that much better!