getting ready to repot my den...

[tangers40]

i have a phal-type den (Den. Hollywood, if that matters) that has just finished flowering and i'd like to get it out of the old, nasty sphag it's in. i've only repotted phals up to this point and i wonder if the same repotting techniques apply to dens. is a chunky bark mix ok for these plants? i know they have finer roots than a phal does...does that mean they need a finer mix? i currently have the typical better-gro mix you get at lowes/home depot (bark, charcoal, and perlite) and it works well for my phals.

[Plucky Purcell]

Your growing conditions have more to do with what sort, or size, of medium you use than the plants themselves (There are exceptions but I don't see why your den would be one of them). Since you're in a pretty dry area you might want go with a smaller size mix to hold more moisture. But then again, if you have an humidifier going or have time to water often during the hot months you might want a larger size mix. Your den will probably do good with what ever you use for your phals. If it works for you...

[CharliesAngel51]

I only have one Den. It came potted in Med bark [1/2" to 3/4" pieces]. I soak it once a week in a pan of water for about 20 minutes.The water in the pan is up to the top of the bark so it gets completely saturated.That seems to be working for me. If you do put it in bark , be sure to soak the bark for about 24 hours before potting your Den in it. Like Plucky said, it depends on your conditions. Mine is in a small pot and the roots are crowded but Jerrymeola advised me not to put in a larger pot for a while. My Den is looking healthy and is getting a new cane.

[Sharyn]

Most of my dens are in medium bark or lava rock. If I remember correctly, the Better Grow bark seems to be on the large size. It will work just fine, but after soaking it, you may have to snip some of the larger pieces with some sterilized snips. Of course, this depends on the size of your den, but most of mine are still in 4" pots. Sterilize your pots and re-use the same size. Dens like their roots crowded, so don't overpot.

[tangers40]

thanks everybody!

the better-gro mix actually has fairly small pieces of bark, comparing it to the mix i used before. and it's perfectly happy in it's lil 4 inch pot, so i'll keep it in that. the sad thing is, i DO have the time to water very frequently......lol i have no life. water orchids and change fish water...that's all i ever do.