Look at all of my feet! What shoes should I wear?

[dtje2000]

I just purchased this orchid, and I was amazed at the roots. Clearly the entire plant grew itself out of its original pot by an entire pot length. Wow! So, my question, here, is what to use to repot? I generally lean towards baskets and mounts. The sales person at the show suggested a wood basket with large grade fir bark. I would like to hear of any additional suggestions for this healthy root system. I'm just so tickled to see that many roots!

I mentioned in the Fdk. After Dark thread that I just purchased far more plants than I should have at an orchid show in Miami, and in posts to come I will be seeking advice on what is easily mountable, what method, and other such fun things. I'm working on a spreadsheet of all that I have which will hopefully help me take better care of them. More to come!

[patticake]

Oh, my! Nice juicy roots!

[katrina]

Whoa! I really like the Grammatophyllum but I wouldn't know where to put it...BIG plants. I've heard of them growing in the ground down there in Florida. Big...BIG plants.

Here's a link for culture ...maybe someone else that grows them will have other advice.
Orchid of the Week Library: Grammatophyllum scriptum var. citrinum

I do love those roots!!

[solay]

Don't have advice but those are some healthy looking roots. I'd like to see what you decide on doing with it.

[digitalgate]

take a 12 inch pot , invert it and mount on the bottom of the pot.
Admire the root..

[jerrymeola]

Now is the time for a discussion of a very unique feature of this species.

The roots in the pot are normal and the roots that are on top are a totally different thing.

Grammatophyllum will grow two types of roots. Those that grow down are normal roots like any other orchid, but the second set of roots will always grow up. You can feel that they are much thinner then the roots that grow down.

This second set of roots feed the plant in a different way. In the wild they catch leaves and other debris as they blow around. The organic matter decomposes over time feeding the plant. The roots of both types spread causing the plant to grow its own 'pot'.

Place the plant in a 6 inch basket even though you are starting from a 2 inch pot. Over potting a Gramm in a basket is not an issue. Once in the basket it can never be removed. They grow extremely fast. You may be placing the basket in a larger basket sooner than you think. Do not bury the top roots although this is such a strong plant they will probably just grow back up through the bark.

I have a lot of scriptum in 12-20 inch baskets.

You name tag does not show the color of the flower. Scriptum comes in two major colors. The normal color is yellow brown with dark brown spots. It is a leopard pattern. Citrinum is a variety that is lime green.

Scriptum is one of the smaller Gramms seldom getting over 2 1/2 feet tall.

The plant does not like cold. Even a drop into the 50s can cause leaf damage. The leaves are very thin and spot easily. Since mine are outside they get cooler than desired and I lose a lot of leaves. They grow extremely fast and the loose of leaves can not be seen in a couple of months. The species blooms in mid summer to fall. Some hybrids bloom in the spring.

The first photo shows the roots that grow up never attach to anything and are distinct from the roots that grow down.

the second photo is the citrinun variety the first photo and the leopard coloration is the same as this martae x scriptum photo - third and fourth photos. The spot shape can vary especially on hybrids. The fifth photo is the miniature variety of scriptum in front of a full size plant.

By any chance are you going to the Fairchild gardens orchid show March 13*15. I would like to meet you. I will have flowering Gramm hybrids with me.

[jerrymeola]

I checked out the cultural advice linked by Katrina.

While nothing is wrong, the advice is generic for orchids and not really directed to care of this plant.

I can not imagine trying to grow it near a 2000-4000 foot candle window. The light level is impossible.

Also I have never seen root rot on a gram in the hundreds I have grown. They like very heavy amounts of water and lots of fertilizer. I like slow release by the handful.

You can do almost anything to these plants and they will grow. The more food the faster they grow.

[katrina]

Good thing someone w/experience growing these saw this. The only thing I know about them is they are a very cool looking orchid and one day when I have a much larger grow space, I'm sure to have one.

I have to disagree w/the statement that you can't get 2000+fc's in a window. While I don't have an official light meter to gauge this...my South window is surely more than 2000 fc. This time of the year, the light is coming in at the perfect angle and if I'm not careful my plants hanging there will burn. It's not a heat thing...I know to feel the leaves and they are only warm...but the way the catts are coloring up...that doesn't happen unless the light goes above 2000 fc. Right now I keep the blinds down and slatted..if not...sunburn big time.


I think a home window can have much higher light...high enough to bloom the high light plants...IF it's in the correct position and IF it has no obstructions.

[dtje2000]

I am nearly jumping out of my chair with excitement, and quite resentful that I must work 8 hours before running back out to put Miss Grammy in her basket. From the root tips to the flowers, this looks like a splendid purchase! I can't recall who posted the comment about getting as excited about the roots as the flowers, but I am soooo there!

Jerry, thanks for all of your advice and education on this orchid, and I do indeed plan to attend the Fairchild Gardens show. I've already been told it's a place to behold at any time, and coupled with the fact that I live less than an hour away and there will be orchids...I'd be an idiot not to go. We must figure out how to run in to each other.

To everyone else, thanks for admiring my "juicy" roots! Patticake, that made me laugh...

[FLaCo]

You are really going to love this plant. I have seen the mature ones in person and they are beautiful and huge! I have seen many of them in baskets like Jerry posted in some nursery over here in homestead.

Now that I come to think about it, I believe my mother bought a variety of this plant. I'll double check and post it if it is indeed a Grammy. She has it in a HUGE pot with nothing but agri charcoal.

[PhalPal]

Originally Posted by katrina

I have to disagree w/the statement that you can't get 2000+fc's in a window. While I don't have an official light meter to gauge this...my South window is surely more than 2000 fc.

Katrina before I actually bought a light meter I would have said the exact same thing. I have two 6 ft x 8 ft windows, one on top of the other, facing direct south. This is an extremely bright room but one foot away from the bottow window I didn't register 500 fc at noon. If you have a 'high light' orchid blooming in a window it may not be a high light as you think it is. I got my light meter for $35?? and it has been an invaluable tool, especially since I started growing outside and under supplemental lights.

[katrina]

Oh, I believe one foot back into the room is most likely a lot less than 2000fc...I'm talking right in the window. Using mine as an example again...they are hanging only a matter of a few inches inside the window. 10+ inches inside that area...dramatic drop off.

My only point was right inside the window can in fact be a lot of light if there are no obstructions(trees,overhangs,etc) and if the angle of the sun is just so. A couple months from now when the sun is higher in the sky...I won't have the same burning intensity in that window.