Potbound, what to do when repotting?

[nogreenthumbs]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Not bad, this plant has excellent roots. Knowing where this hybrid is going to go, I would not bother with the 6" pot - go to 8" (2 gal) as you would with a standard Cym.

NOW you tell me!

Don't worry about getting new media into the middle - if you will have some air in the middle of the pot, and that's great. If you put in in that 8" pot, there will be plenty of media to grow into, but not too much - and the airspace in the middle will be beneficial. If it was in a 4.5"pot, it started out as a baby. You have a young adolescent now.

OK, good to know.

I looked up the parentage... the Cymbidium part is only 25% (a mid-size Cym) 75% of it is Gram scriptum. You sort of got a St. Bernard puppy...

Yikes!




---------- Post added at 08:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:16 PM ----------

I've been trying to stick to clear pots (so I can see what's going on) with plenty of air vents, but in this size, those are harder to come by. I guess it's OK to get a regular plastic pot and ensure that it's got plenty of drainage in the bottom.

In the meantime (2-3 days max), I assume it's ok to stick this loosely into the 6" that I had for it and just wet the roots a couple times a day?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by nogreenthumbs

I've been trying to stick to clear pots (so I can see what's going on) with plenty of air vents, but in this size, those are harder to come by. I guess it's OK to get a regular plastic pot and ensure that it's got plenty of drainage in the bottom.

In the meantime (2-3 days max), I assume it's ok to stick this loosely into the 6" that I had for it and just wet the roots a couple times a day?

Plain old black 8"/2 gal Cymbidium pot should be fine. And sure, it'll be fine sitting in that 6" pot for a few days while you procure what you need. You could even put a plastic bag or some plastic wrap over the top of the pot to keep moisture in... those tightly packed thick roots aren't going to dry out in any hurry. This one is not particularly delicate. And it looks like you have a bunch of new roots just getting started, so timing is perfect.

[estación seca]

In your high Houston humidity, you could also use a clay pot. A clay pot will be more stable, as well. I would get one 4" larger in diameter than the current diameter of your root ball, whether you use plastic or clay. Home & garden stores will have in stock pots you can use. This kind of hybrid grows fast, and can make new growth throughout the warm months.

The plastic Cymbidium pots Roberta mentioned are lower and wider than some 2-gallon plastic pots.

[Roberta]

This hybrid should be very happy in the Houston summer. The bit of Cymbidium in there should improve the cold tolerance (Gram. scriptum is definitely tropical) so that you can probably get away with leaving it outside down to 50 deg F or a little lower for a few hours in winter if kept dry.

[nogreenthumbs]

I live in an apt, 5th floor, no balcony, so the only time it will see the outside is when we have the windows open. OK, I actually have what's called a Juliet balcony on the East and another on the North. I think the North side would be a good option, but I've got to figure out or get a way to keep them standing up. Also, the wind can be pretty stiff up here compared to ground level. Otherwise it's going to be a windowsill/table plant. Yeah, I should have researched it before I purchased a monster. I figure if it gets WAY too big, I'll donate it to someone local or see if someone local wants to trade for something smaller.

[Dollythehun]

Bungee cords.

[ShadePlant]

Originally Posted by nogreenthumbs

I live in an apt, 5th floor, no balcony, so the only time it will see the outside is when we have the windows open. OK, I actually have what's called a Juliet balcony on the East and another on the North. I think the North side would be a good option, but I've got to figure out or get a way to keep them standing up. Also, the wind can be pretty stiff up here compared to ground level. Otherwise it's going to be a windowsill/table plant. Yeah, I should have researched it before I purchased a monster. I figure if it gets WAY too big, I'll donate it to someone local or see if someone local wants to trade for something smaller.

You likely won't have trouble in the future if it gets too big swapping it for something at a local orchid society meeting.

[nogreenthumbs]

That's what I'm hoping.