Potting question(s)??????

[ARodney]

Good day my fellow orchid geeks,

I know the rule of not to over pot because orchids like to be root bound. I made some basket/mounts out of copolymer (gutter guard), they measure approximately 6"x4" and have a 3" dia (see attached photos).

My question(s) is/are, I have some seedlings I would like to pot in these, normally I would pot in a 2" or 3" pot. However, I'm finding ways to make room for more orchids. I was planing on using LECA, some white peanut foam, a little pit of sphag, bark, charcoal and lava rock. I water almost everyday since the orchids are outside year round. Remember I live in the tropics. My lowest temp is 65 degrees and my highest temp is 101.

Do you guys think the basket will be too big? I figured they may not since in nature they are usually attached to trees, however these ARE lab born. Also do you think if I use the pots I should use a dryer mix to avoid root rot or maybe cut the pot in half?

The type of orchids I'm planning on repotting are phals for know. ANY suggestions or advise will be considered and appreciated.

[katrina]

Actually...the rootbound thing is kind of a myth. So to speak. It's best to pot a little snug mainly because it helps ensure more even drying of the medium thereby preventing root rot. It's more for the grower so he/she doesn't rot the roots...not really a preference of the orchids. In nature these plants...as you already noted...grow on trees, or rocks (most anyway) so their roots are not bound by anything.

Your seedlings will do fabulous on those baskets. It's basically a mounting except w/some "insides"...and it's always best to mount a plant for the adult size or close to the adult size vs mounting too small (I've learned this one the hard way).

You could use whatever you're most comfortable with...your mix sounds like it would be a good one. I've done some tubes w/chc and sphag...some w/lava. Keep in mind...you'll likely want to treat this like a mounting...the roots are going to wind in and out of those holes and you probably aren't going to want to try and remove one from the basket once it's fully attached. Once attached...I'd figure that's where it'll be for the rest of it's life. They are very pretty baskets/tubes.

[ARodney]

Thanks Kat, that's why I was asking. I figured if I potted it where I wanted it to stay as an adult, it would be ok. However, since I didn't receive a response, I made smaller ones. I figured they will stay there for about six months and then I will repot into the bigger ones. Once again thanks for your comment Kat.

[orchids4me]

Those look great! and is a great idea also

[ARodney]

Originally Posted by orchids4me

Those look great! and is a great idea also

Thanks Emmaye, I'm finding ways to make space and save money so I can buy more orchids.

I'm attaching a photo of the seedings I got from Big Leaf Orchids. I was going to use the baskets for them but then did smaller ones. I'll wait around six months and then repot.

Since the pots were smaller, I used sphag and Leca.

[NiNiDazzle]

Those are some healthy looking seedlings.


The gutter guard, is it a plastic-type or is it metal? Your mounts look very interesting and I might give it a shot on some of mine that need to be remounted.

[11Orchid126]

When you do repot, with your mix and that mesh, it looks like all you'll have to do is slip the old basket into a new, freshly lined one. Great thinking!

[ARodney]

Originally Posted by NiNiDazzle

Those are some healthy looking seedlings.


The gutter guard, is it a plastic-type or is it metal? Your mounts look very interesting and I might give it a shot on some of mine that need to be remounted.

It's the 6" copolymer plastic type. It comes in a roll. It cost me around $7 here so it may be way cheaper where you live. I'm not sure how many feet in the roll but I think it's like 20'. You can't go wrong. I just played around with wire and fishing line, until I got what I was looking for. Good luck. If you need a step by step, just let me know and I'll do one with photos.

[ARodney]

Originally Posted by 11Orchid126

When you do repot, with your mix and that mesh, it looks like all you'll have to do is slip the old basket into a new, freshly lined one. Great thinking!

That's the plan. and since I water everyday, the net allows the medium to dry out so it doesn't get root rot.

[NiNiDazzle]

Originally Posted by ARodney

It's the 6" copolymer plastic type. It comes in a roll. It cost me around $7 here so it may be way cheaper where you live. I'm not sure how many feet in the roll but I think it's like 20'. You can't go wrong. I just played around with wire and fishing line, until I got what I was looking for. Good luck. If you need a step by step, just let me know and I'll do one with photos.

I would love a step by step with photos. I'm sure I could figure it out but that would probably take me hours and lots of wasted material. I'm not very handy with making things/tools.

[denite25]

they are cool....love em

[orchids4me]

Very nice bunch of seedlings did you get the special ? Which ones are they (names). They look really great

[ARodney]

Originally Posted by orchids4me

Very nice bunch of seedlings did you get the special ? Which ones are they (names). They look really great

Emmaye, Mr. Lin had the 5 for $50 seedling special and he had 10 seedlings so I got them all. They are as follow:

Phal. (Golden Pride 'Murchison's Golden Shadow' HCC/AOS x Tetra Green)
Phal. Pylo's Gelb
Phal. (Misty Green 'Muncho' AM/AOS x NP Norton 'Orchidview')
Phal. Pylo's Princess Lisa
Phal. Pylo's Petit Tigre
Phal. (Frieda Shapira 'Peter Lin #4' x Misty Green 'Muncho' AM/AOS)
Phal. Pylo's Fancy Lawrence
Phal. (Joy Dreamy Jade 'Radiant x Green Fox 'PL#1')
Phal. (Nathasha 'Joy' x I-Hsin George 'JH')
Phal. (Gelblieber 'Arianne' HCC/AOS x Tetra Green 'Peter Lin' HCC/AOS)
Phal. (Green Fox #3 x Tiger Butter 'Larkin Valley')

I've listed 11 because Mr. Lin was kind enough to gift a bonus seedling. Right now, I can't remember which one it was. I really don't know what they are going to look like. I just know they are phals and since I love phals, they are going to be beautiful.

[orchids4me]

Wow that's great!! I had gotten like 3 plus the compot and there was one I don't recall ordering so it must have been a gift also from him its the same one you listed as the first one in your batch. So very cool!!! My head was spinning because I had 2 seperat orders over the last weekend and had them combine them into one so he refunded some shipping cost which I totally didn't expect and there was this Phal I didn't recall ordering. Lol. Very nice guy I like big leaf and peters great!!

[ARodney]

Yes Emmaye, I think he is very cool. I plan to order from him more often. I've never received phal seedlings so big and healthy.

[ARodney]

Originally Posted by NiNiDazzle

I would love a step by step with photos. I'm sure I could figure it out but that would probably take me hours and lots of wasted material. I'm not very handy with making things/tools.

Linda, if you will give me a chance, I will try to do it later today or early tomorrow and post. that I do it right.

[ARodney]

Originally Posted by NiNiDazzle

I would love a step by step with photos. I'm sure I could figure it out but that would probably take me hours and lots of wasted material. I'm not very handy with making things/tools.

Ok Linda, first this the size and instructions are for the original size which is the initial post. You can always cut or do them smaller or larger.

You will need the co-polymer gutter guard roll, stainless steel 16gauge & 18 guage wire, scissors and wire cutters. Cut gutter guard approx 12" long. Cut 16 gauge wire approx 6" long and 18 gauge wire approx 6" long. Photographs attached shows supplies needed (photo 1). Once you have supplies, photos 2,3 &4, show you how to fold the gutter guard. Then weave 18 gauge wire to bottom like shown on photo 5. Once that is done, cut and curl excess wire, as shown on photo 6. When weaving, make sure you catch all pieces

Now, take the 16 gauge wire and fold in half and tight as you can (photo 7) weave into overlaping part (photo 8). Once you have done so, bend up the ends and tighten with wire cutter (photos 9&10). Photo 11 & 12 is finish project.

Hope I made it easy and helpful for you or anyone else. Like I previosly said. it can be modified to be made smaller.

[ARodney]

Photo 11 &12- Final Product

[Emma Grey]

Adelia - That is a super cool idea! I might try it sometime.

[NiNiDazzle]

Thanks so much, Adelia! I will have to try it next weekend. I have family coming in this weekend for Labor Day.

[ARodney]

Linda, I just realized I said stainless steel, I used galvinized aluminum wire. The type used for fencing. It's way cheaper than stainless and won't rust. Good luck on your attempt. If you're stuck, send e a pm.