Paph. delenatii 4 spikes, 7 buds

[jeremyinsf]

Originally Posted by Paphluvr

Why disturb the plant if the medium is still good?

The break-down of media is not the only reason for re-potting Paphs.

Roots put down by old grows die off, and new growths put out new roots. "Clearing out" the old is helpful to the plant, including aiding in air-flow, among other things. Also, if the plant is growing really well, the roots may out grow the pot and need a new environment.

[Paphluvr]

The break-down of media is not the only reason for re-potting Paphs.

Roots put down by old grows die off, and new growths put out new roots. "Clearing out" the old is helpful to the plant, including aiding in air-flow, among other things. Also, if the plant is growing really well, the roots may out grow the pot and need a new environment.

I know what my roots look like after two years in the pot and when I only see one or two dead roots out of the dozens in the pot I don't get concerned. Also, if the plant stops growing or thriving it's either got root loss or is root bound. Then I would pull it and find out why. I'm not saying my method is the best, I'm just saying it works for me. Looking at my re-pot tag, it's been re-potted 07/06, 06/08, 06/10, and 07/12. I base it on results, not a schedule.

[jeremyinsf]

I'm not disputing what works for you is working for you :-) I'm also not advocating a schedule. I was just answering your question with some alternative thoughts.

Orchiata and lava rock and charcoal can last for years and years without breaking down. I don't suggest waiting that long either, nor doing it any sooner just because of a date on a calendar.

Strong, mature plants such as yours also grow differently. When I re-potted my massive druryi last June, I didn't find any dead roots. And now, since then, it's already outgrown the pot it is in. These are reasons for considering things other than a calendar, for me.

[Paphluvr]

Like I said, results not a schedule.

Two Paph delenatii's, one Paph. concolor.

[The Orchid Boy]

Originally Posted by Paphluvr

Like I said, results not a schedule.

Two Paph delenatii's, one Paph. concolor.

Wow! Awesome plants! My biggest paph is going on 4 growths...

[Paphluvr]

Wow! Awesome plants! My biggest paph is going on 4 growths...

It just takes time and patience, they'll get larger. The Paph. concolor is a piece of a plant I originally bought in the '70's. I had a bigger division than this, but finally broke it up the last time I re-potted it. I think I had it in a 10" pot at the time.

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by Paphluvr

What is greensand? Here's a link.

Greensand - What is Greensand?

I use it for the trace minerals. It should be available from any good horticultural supply company. Look on-line.

Like you, I only re-pot about every two years. Since I don't keep it constantly moist the CHC doesn't break down too quickly. Why disturb the plant if the medium is still good? Some people might take issue with this schedule, but the results speak for themselves.

Were you able to loosen up the root ball on your Armeni White before re-potting? And how much larger was the new pot?

Thanks for the link. It is interesting.

The main reason I repotted my Armeni White was that it had been in the same pot it came in from a store for over a year and I had no idea what was going on.
Often, when I repot my paphs for the first time, the mix is terribly broken down.

Second, when I put Armeni White out of its pot, I was shocked to see how new the bark chips looked (so I could have just left the ones stuck in between the roots), but the roots were so packed inside the pot that it needed a bigger home.
I think I'll leave it alone for a long time.
Or even better, switch to a clear pot.

I need to order a bunch as I like to see how moist the mix is. It really helps out a lot.

I think many people do things that are not necessary.
Repotting too often than needed and too much fertilizing seem to be the most common among other things.



---------- Post added at 11:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:19 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Paphluvr

Like I said, results not a schedule.

Two Paph delenatii's, one Paph. concolor.

Wow~ they are doing very well.

[Tindomul]

A really gorgeous cluster!