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To repot or not to repot, that is the question
I have a phal. It hasn't bloomed for about five or six months. It
also hasn't grown any new leaves. I was starting to despair when I noticed it was growing several new roots. The top of the pot looks like a bowl of spaghetti. I was thinking it may need to be repotted but now I see a flower spike is just starting. It's in a 6" pot. I'm guessing I should leave it alone. Is that the right approach? Thanks |
To repot or not to repot, that is the question
Jane wrote:
I have a phal. It hasn't bloomed for about five or six months. It also hasn't grown any new leaves. I was starting to despair when I noticed it was growing several new roots. The top of the pot looks like a bowl of spaghetti. I was thinking it may need to be repotted but now I see a flower spike is just starting. It's in a 6" pot. I'm guessing I should leave it alone. Is that the right approach? Thanks I'd repot it now, when the new roots are starting. If the spike is just starting you won't hurt it (unless you break it off), and leaving the plant in its current pot for the next nine months plus while you have spike and flowers is probably not going to be a good idea. -- Rob's Rules: http://littlefrogfarm.com 1) There is always room for one more orchid 2) There is always room for two more orchids 2a) See rule 1 3) When one has insufficient credit to obtain more orchids, obtain more credit |
To repot or not to repot, that is the question
Jane, to expand on Rob's correct answer, the reason you ought to go ahead
and repot is because if you wait until another bloom cycle passes your medium will surely be broken down. Diana "Rob" wrote in message ... Jane wrote: I have a phal. It hasn't bloomed for about five or six months. It also hasn't grown any new leaves. I was starting to despair when I noticed it was growing several new roots. The top of the pot looks like a bowl of spaghetti. I was thinking it may need to be repotted but now I see a flower spike is just starting. It's in a 6" pot. I'm guessing I should leave it alone. Is that the right approach? Thanks I'd repot it now, when the new roots are starting. If the spike is just starting you won't hurt it (unless you break it off), and leaving the plant in its current pot for the next nine months plus while you have spike and flowers is probably not going to be a good idea. -- Rob's Rules: http://littlefrogfarm.com 1) There is always room for one more orchid 2) There is always room for two more orchids 2a) See rule 1 3) When one has insufficient credit to obtain more orchids, obtain more credit |
To repot or not to repot, that is the question
On Mar 26, 4:40 pm, "Diana Kulaga"
wrote: Jane, to expand on Rob's correct answer, the reason you ought to go ahead and repot is because if you wait until another bloom cycle passes your medium will surely be broken down. Diana "Rob" wrote in message ... Jane wrote: I have a phal. It hasn't bloomed for about five or six months. It also hasn't grown any new leaves. I was starting to despair when I noticed it was growing several new roots. The top of the pot looks like a bowl of spaghetti. I was thinking it may need to be repotted but now I see a flower spike is just starting. It's in a 6" pot. I'm guessing I should leave it alone. Is that the right approach? Thanks I'd repot it now, when the new roots are starting. If the spike is just starting you won't hurt it (unless you break it off), and leaving the plant in its current pot for the next nine months plus while you have spike and flowers is probably not going to be a good idea. -- Rob's Rules: http://littlefrogfarm.com 1) There is always room for one more orchid 2) There is always room for two more orchids 2a) See rule 1 3) When one has insufficient credit to obtain more orchids, obtain more credit OK. Can you tell me how to repot? I've repotted many other plants but never an orchid. I assume I can buy special medium at my garden store and also assume I should go to an 8" pot. Do I cover the roots? Do I remove the old medium? Basically - help! |
To repot or not to repot, that is the question
OK. Can you tell me how to repot? I've repotted many other plants but never an orchid. I assume I can buy special medium at my garden store and also assume I should go to an 8" pot. Do I cover the roots? Do I remove the old medium? Basically - help! Yes, you can buy the medium at the garden center. Don't assume you need a bigger pot until you look at the roots. Remove the plant from its current pot, remove as much of the medium as you can comfortably remove, and examine the roots. Remove any roots that are mushy. After that, pick a pot that fits the roots comfortably. Don't overpot though, that is really bad. Place the roots in the pot, fill with new medium, squish it in a bit to remove the voids (don't press too hard), and you are done! -- Rob's Rules: http://littlefrogfarm.com 1) There is always room for one more orchid 2) There is always room for two more orchids 2a) See rule 1 3) When one has insufficient credit to obtain more orchids, obtain more credit |
To repot or not to repot, that is the question
go up one pot size if you think you need to, but keep the old pot (or
one of a similar size) handy in case you discover your root ball really isn't as large as you think it is. you don't want to over pot. don't break the spike. yes, clean off as much of the old medium as you can; if a root is hanging onto a piece of bark with a death grip, it's ok to let it keep it. don't break the spike. pull or trim off any wet mushy roots; anything that feels firm, regardless of color, is still good and you should keep it. don't break the spike. can you tell i've broken short spikes before? :-) see also: http://firstrays.com/potting.htm --j_a |
To repot or not to repot, that is the question
LOL! How about some *positive* motivation here? I.E., Preserve the spike!
There was a story about a bb coach who kept telling one of his pitchers which pitch *not* to throw to a particular batter. You guessed it - that's the pitch he threw. Afterward, the pitcher said all that kept going through his mind was that forbidden pitch. Wish I could remember the source of that. It's a true story. Diana wrote in message oups.com... go up one pot size if you think you need to, but keep the old pot (or one of a similar size) handy in case you discover your root ball really isn't as large as you think it is. you don't want to over pot. don't break the spike. yes, clean off as much of the old medium as you can; if a root is hanging onto a piece of bark with a death grip, it's ok to let it keep it. don't break the spike. pull or trim off any wet mushy roots; anything that feels firm, regardless of color, is still good and you should keep it. don't break the spike. can you tell i've broken short spikes before? :-) see also: http://firstrays.com/potting.htm --j_a |
To repot or not to repot, that is the question
Everyone is in consesus, repot. When you get your mix, commercially
available as "orchid potting mix". Remeber to soak the bark mix for several hours to overnight before using it. That gives you one more chance to rinse it, helps prevent salt accumulation when you water, and ensures that it has been thoroughly moistened. If you grow in the house, you can also add a little sphagnum (pre-moistened) to keep humidity around the roots. Don't fill the air gaps, it won't take much. Best wishes, Nancy G. OK. Can you tell me how to repot? I've repotted many other plants but never an orchid. I assume I can buy special medium at my garden store and also assume I should go to an 8" pot. Do I cover the roots? Do I remove the old medium? Basically - help!- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - |
To repot or not to repot, that is the question
On Mar 26, 5:14 pm, wrote:
go up one pot size if you think you need to, but keep the old pot (or one of a similar size) handy in case you discover your root ball really isn't as large as you think it is. you don't want to over pot. don't break the spike. yes, clean off as much of the old medium as you can; if a root is hanging onto a piece of bark with a death grip, it's ok to let it keep it. don't break the spike. pull or trim off any wet mushy roots; anything that feels firm, regardless of color, is still good and you should keep it. don't break the spike. can you tell i've broken short spikes before? :-) see also: http://firstrays.com/potting.htm --j_a Hmmm - looks like I shouldn't break the spike? I think I'm in luck with this. The spike is just starting to peep out so it's only about an inch or so in length. I'll be VERY careful. |
To repot or not to repot, that is the question
On Mar 26, 1:09 pm, "Jane" wrote:
I have a phal. It hasn't bloomed for about five or six months. It also hasn't grown any new leaves. I was starting to despair when I noticed it was growing several new roots. The top of the pot looks like a bowl of spaghetti. I was thinking it may need to be repotted but now I see a flower spike is just starting. It's in a 6" pot. I'm guessing I should leave it alone. Is that the right approach? Thanks OK, now that I know I have to repot - or at least remove the plant and look at the roots, I have another question: I've noticed that all the orchids I've bought, regardless from where, are in plastic pots. Does that mean I should stick with the plastic? I have to say they all seem to be doing quite well so I'd guess I should continue with what's working, but just wanted to check. |
To repot or not to repot, that is the question
Jane wrote:
OK, now that I know I have to repot - or at least remove the plant and look at the roots, I have another question: I've noticed that all the orchids I've bought, regardless from where, are in plastic pots. Does that mean I should stick with the plastic? I have to say they all seem to be doing quite well so I'd guess I should continue with what's working, but just wanted to check. They are in plastic pots because clay pots are heavy (expensive to ship) and clay pots are more expensive to start with. When your profit margin is measured in pennies per plant (big box store supplier), clay pots would kill you. But, you can use clay pots... They dry out a little quicker than plants in plastic pots, which is good. Plus they add valuable weight to the base of the plant, phals can get tippy so anything to offset that helps. Or you can use plastic pots, whatever you want to do. Rob -- Rob's Rules: http://littlefrogfarm.com 1) There is always room for one more orchid 2) There is always room for two more orchids 2a) See rule 1 3) When one has insufficient credit to obtain more orchids, obtain more credit |
To repot or not to repot, that is the question
"Rob" wrote in message
... Jane wrote: OK, now that I know I have to repot - or at least remove the plant and look at the roots, I have another question: I've noticed that all the orchids I've bought, regardless from where, are in plastic pots. Does that mean I should stick with the plastic? I have to say they all seem to be doing quite well so I'd guess I should continue with what's working, but just wanted to check. They are in plastic pots because clay pots are heavy (expensive to ship) and clay pots are more expensive to start with. When your profit margin is measured in pennies per plant (big box store supplier), clay pots would kill you. But, you can use clay pots... They dry out a little quicker than plants in plastic pots, which is good. Plus they add valuable weight to the base of the plant, phals can get tippy so anything to offset that helps. Or you can use plastic pots, whatever you want to do. Rob -- Rob's Rules: http://littlefrogfarm.com 1) There is always room for one more orchid 2) There is always room for two more orchids 2a) See rule 1 3) When one has insufficient credit to obtain more orchids, obtain more credit Well, here in my part of California where we don't have the ambient humidity that Rob does clay pots dry out way faster than plastic. IMHO you've learned how to water and get your plant to grow and spike in a plastic pot. My advice would be to stay with what you know. Don't add in another variable. K Barrett |
To repot or not to repot, that is the question
On Mar 26, 1:09 pm, "Jane" wrote:
I have a phal. It hasn't bloomed for about five or six months. It also hasn't grown any new leaves. I was starting to despair when I noticed it was growing several new roots. The top of the pot looks like a bowl of spaghetti. I was thinking it may need to be repotted but now I see a flower spike is just starting. It's in a 6" pot. I'm guessing I should leave it alone. Is that the right approach? Thanks Well - I just did it. It was all roots so I put it in an 8" pot. I hope it does OK since I think I'm becoming an orchid junkie. |
To repot or not to repot, that is the question
I hope it does OK since I think I'm becoming an orchid junkie.
Um, that's why we're all here. To get our fixes........Welcome to OA! Diana |
To repot or not to repot, that is the question
Jane,
Welcome to the addiction. One other thing to do before repotting, I know--too late for this one, is to wet the roots, esp. those not in the mix, first. Let them set for 10 or 15 minutes. They become more flexible and less likely to break. Bob "Diana Kulaga" wrote in message .. . I hope it does OK since I think I'm becoming an orchid junkie. Um, that's why we're all here. To get our fixes........Welcome to OA! Diana |
To repot or not to repot, that is the question
In article .com,
"Jane" wrote: Hmmm - looks like I shouldn't break the spike? I think I'm in luck with this. The spike is just starting to peep out so it's only about an inch or so in length. I'll be VERY careful. well, you know, only if you feel like it. ;-) --j_a |
To repot or not to repot, that is the question
"Jane" wrote in message ups.com... Well - I just did it. It was all roots so I put it in an 8" pot. I hope it does OK since I think I'm becoming an orchid junkie. I've been suffering the addiction for about 10 years now. I recently bought several new ones at 1/2 price at Home Depot - before they toss them in the garbage. That just kills me......... :*( Rather then keep lowering the price and allowing someone to enjoy them, and allowing the plant to live, they throw them away. |
To repot or not to repot, that is the question
Dear Minelli Family: At some price point, the big box stores (and for that
matter, any business, even one as small as mine) will find it uneconomical to pay a cashier to ring up a bargain basement orchid [although it may not seem like it, the boxes do have some kind of program in place to monitor the lines, around here I think the criterion is "how long can we let it get before people start to walk without buying?" :( ], much less to continue to afford it very valuable/expensive space in their retail sales area. Chances are, the big boxes won't actually pay for the plant anyway, if the barcode doesn't cross their scanners in a sale. The grower who "sold" the plant to the box store is more likely to suffer the loss. We maintain a small "Bargain Basement" section most of the time, and a more extensive "Sratch-n-Dent" sale once a year (Ad: coming up in April, local only, no shipping). But we do also toss plants here, when they become more trouble than they're worth -- even tho unlike the box stores, I see actual $$ going into the trash can when I have to pitch a plant. Unpalatable fact of life (or at least business). -- Kenni Judd Juno Beach Orchids "Minelli Family" wrote in message ... I've been suffering the addiction for about 10 years now. I recently bought several new ones at 1/2 price at Home Depot - before they toss them in the garbage. That just kills me......... :*( Rather then keep lowering the price and allowing someone to enjoy them, and allowing the plant to live, they throw them away. |
To repot or not to repot, that is the question
"Kenni Judd" wrote in message ... Dear Minelli Family: At some price point, the big box stores (and for that matter, any business, even one as small as mine) will find it uneconomical to pay a cashier to ring up a bargain basement orchid [although it may not seem like it, the boxes do have some kind of program in place to monitor the lines, around here I think the criterion is "how long can we let it get before people start to walk without buying?" :( ], much less to continue to afford it very valuable/expensive space in their retail sales area. This is true I'm sure. Someone working in these stores is ordering more orchids than the local market will bear. They almost always have as many bloomed out ones to mark down or toss as those in bloom. It seems no one water's them either. Chances are, the big boxes won't actually pay for the plant anyway, if the barcode doesn't cross their scanners in a sale. The grower who "sold" the plant to the box store is more likely to suffer the loss. What a shame as those tossed are almost always nice healthy looking, if thirsty, plants. We maintain a small "Bargain Basement" section most of the time, and a more extensive "Sratch-n-Dent" sale once a year (Ad: coming up in April, local only, no shipping). But we do also toss plants here, when they become more trouble than they're worth -- even tho unlike the box stores, I see actual $$ going into the trash can when I have to pitch a plant. Unpalatable fact of life (or at least business). You can always have a FREEBIE table. One small area set aside for whatever you would toss. I think it would make good will, and as word got around, people who come to maybe get a freebie and you can sell them a pot, some orchid mix and fertalizer... etc. and make a few bucks. :^) |
To repot or not to repot, that is the question
On Fri, 30 Mar 2007 20:23:50 -0500 in Manelli Family wrote:
You can always have a FREEBIE table. One small area set aside for whatever you would toss. I think it would make good will, and as word got around, people who come to maybe get a freebie and you can sell them a pot, some orchid mix and fertalizer... etc. and make a few bucks. :^) Someone here (Al?) has mentioned the pitfalls of sales. If you do a sale once, entirely too many people will never buy again until the next sale. I suspect a freebie table would work the same. -- Chris Dukes elfick willg: you can't use dell to beat people, it wouldn't stand up to the strain... much like attacking a tank with a wiffle bat |
To repot or not to repot, that is the question
"SuE" wrote in message ... On 02 Apr 2007 13:37:32 GMT, wrote: On Fri, 30 Mar 2007 20:23:50 -0500 in Manelli Family wrote: You can always have a FREEBIE table. One small area set aside for whatever you would toss. I think it would make good will, and as word got around, people who come to maybe get a freebie and you can sell them a pot, some orchid mix and fertalizer... etc. and make a few bucks. :^) Someone here (Al?) has mentioned the pitfalls of sales. If you do a sale once, entirely too many people will never buy again until the next sale. I suspect a freebie table would work the same. Freebie tables have the problem of "returns" -- Someone gets it from a freebie table but also buys other plants. How do they/you know which are which in 6 months? Do they remember when speaking to others that this is from a freebie table and that was a good plant? Easier to sell good and bury the rest. SuE http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/main.php It was just an idea. :o) I thought it was better than tossing them simply because they were out of bloom. Lets be honest. Orchids, as much as we love them, are not the most attractive plants when out of bloom. Marking them down 50% or more gives the poorer people a chance to own a few orchids, or to buy more they couldn't otherwise afford, and lets the plant live. About a 1/3 of my small collection are mark-downs. I do remember which are which months later. As for buying only when the plants are on sale. I can only speak for myself here. If I see a plant that is full price and desire to own it, I will pay full price! After all, if I wait until they're on sale it may be gone. I remember years ago a pet shop was giving away free guppies. My son wanted some. Well he got his free pair of guppies which cost me about $10 for a small 2 gallon tank, a heater, fish food...... This pet shop was always giving away something free that usually cost the person to get the free fish, mouse, finch... whatever. |
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