newbie w/ den repot question

[lara5170]

Hi I'm new here from Fla and I've only been an orchid addict for about 2.5-3yrs & I already have 33. this is my 1st time having to repot a dendrob and I'm afraid. I have lg and med premix but when I look at what they are in it doesn't look like the same mix I use for phals and catts and stuff. I have about 8 of these because they do great down here. They grow fast & out of control & none are in orchid pots with side holes they look crammed into pots & they look like they like it that way.Can I use premix & repot in a orchid pot with holes ? I also have sphag moss & bark to mount. Please, any suggestions ???

[Ellen]

Most of my potted dens are growing in fine bark and seem to like it. You are right that they like tight pots, so if you repot, put them in the smallest pot that the roots can be crammed into. They'll do fine in the pots with side holes, or plain clay pots, or plastic pots, or whatever you want to put them in. You probably don't want to mount a really big plant, unless it's outside in a tree, but some of the large ones do fine in baskets. Sounds like whatever you're doing now is good, so just continue.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

There isn't much I can add to what Ellen has said, except to say that there are always trades offs. Plastic drys more slowly, so, if you have a tendency to over water, clay may be better, and if you really like to water, slits in the side make it dry real fast. I like plastic because the plant can be removed easily by flexing the pot, which is nice since I repot each year. At the other extreme, slits will make it difficult to remove the orchid for repotting, but the mix in such a pot should break down much more slowly due to going dry more often, so you won't have to disturb the plant as often. Sooner or later, you will have to experience these different techniques to decide for yourself which you like better. So pick a pot and go with it. Cynthia

[jerrymeola]

Dens in general do not like to be re-potted so most growers use a mix of fine bark and heavy on inorganics like pumice stone.

Here in Florida dens do excellent bare root so you have a lot of leeway. My next door neighbor calls dens weeds as they grow that easy.

I would go very light on bark here in Florida. I have had 76 inches of rain in the last 4 months so if yours are outside you need to have good drainage and as little as possible of organics that can cause rot.

I personally use 100% fine hydroponic rock. Ali Flor is the only brand that makes a product in the fine size. Out of 1000 dens in my outdoor shade house not a single on rotted while cats in bark had a rough summer.

[lara5170]

I don't knowif I'm doing this right I'm trying to respond and ask a question to the person who reccomended Ali Flor . I have heard of it before at the Orchid club I go to once a month. I'm very interested in it but I have no idea where to get it. I keep all my orchids out in the open in the back yard I don't have a screened in area so they are mostly hanging from the overhang of my roof and my catts have all had a very tough time. Their roots all look rough and I'm not sure what I should do. do I re-pot or not.

Originally Posted by jerrymeola

Dens in general do not like to be re-potted so most growers use a mix of fine bark and heavy on inorganics like pumice stone.

Here in Florida dens do excellent bare root so you have a lot of leeway. My next door neighbor calls dens weeds as they grow that easy.

I would go very light on bark here in Florida. I have had 76 inches of rain in the last 4 months so if yours are outside you need to have good drainage and as little as possible of organics that can cause rot.

I personally use 100% fine hydroponic rock. Ali Flor is the only brand that makes a product in the fine size. Out of 1000 dens in my outdoor shade house not a single on rotted while cats in bark had a rough summer.

[Ellen]

In the past 4 months we've probably had less than 1 inch of rain here (but rainy season should start any day now), so it's the opposite of Florida. Nevertheless, I like Jerry's idea of putting dens in a fine inorganic mix, and will probably try it next time I do some repotting.