Repot of Grammatophyllum

[jpyerry]

Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't post pictures of a repot, but since my new Grammatophyllum was my largest repot to date, I thought it would be fun to share the process.

First, this is my new 10" clear pot, I was shocked when I saw the size of the thing!


Here is a side by side of the new pot to the old one...


Side view of the plant...


Added some Hydroton and styrofoam peanuts to increase drainage and add weight to the pot...


Spikes removed...


The spikes themselves...


Had to cut the old pot off...


The plant in its new pot...


Cymbidium mix...


Plant in pot with new mix, top view...


Plant in pot with new mix, side view...


Well, that was today's adventure in orchid repotting, I am hoping that the orchid has ample room to grow on its sides. I also decided to leave the little fern, if it gets too big, I'll take it out, right now I think it is kind of cute.

Best,
Justin

[1joyceh]

Great job Justin!
Love the little fern

[jpyerry]

I thought I should mention that, in light of Jerry Meola's suggestion, I was very careful to not bury too many of the upward reaching 'roots', I did my best to keep the new soil line flush with where it was in previous potting.

Justin

[Carkin]

Wow! Those roots are amazing...great growing and repotting!

[orchids4me]

I'm glad you posted this I was wondering what to use for these guys. I have one I got from a vendor called camp lot of noise in FL last summer and it was in a 2 inch pot just a couple bulbs with 2 leaves which fell off not long after I gort it. Its potted in bark and rocks so I moved it up to a 3inch pot using the same type media. I currently have a new growth that's now about an inch tall growing out in a 45 degree angle. I just been watering it like once a week was asuming by the media choice was fast draing dry fast like a Catt. But seeing you are using a finer media now I'm wondering if I'm keeping mine moist enough by watering once a week in such a chunky fast draining type media.... I did think about the fact it came from florida also (humidity) but it seems to be doing ok so far. I'm hoping its in the Baker and Baker book I should be receiving tomarrow (gift cards from christmas to Barnes and noble ) i have several. I need to research also but again I'm glad you posted this one and it looks fantastic!!!

[Ghana O]

How long did it take for yours to flower. I have had mine since it was in a 3 inch pot about 4 years ago but it has NEVER flowered. Can you give any tips on what to do to get it to finally flower. Yes i fertilize, water etc as the books have advised. It gets full sun (but tried semi shade also) still no flowers. Any suggestions? See pic below.

[jpyerry]

Originally Posted by Ghana O

How long did it take for yours to flower. I have had mine since it was in a 3 inch pot about 4 years ago but it has NEVER flowered. Can you give any tips on what to do to get it to finally flower. Yes i fertilize, water etc as the books have advised. It gets full sun (but tried semi shade also) still no flowers. Any suggestions? See pic below.

I very much wish I could give some advice or suggestions, but this is a brand new plant for me. I bought it on clearance, it has no leaves and just the bulbs you see minus the two bare flower spikes I removed. I am sure that others have much more experience with Grammatophyllums than me since this is my first plant.

Best of luck to you though, maybe we can learn about this plant together!

Justin

[jpyerry]

Originally Posted by Ghana O

How long did it take for yours to flower. I have had mine since it was in a 3 inch pot about 4 years ago but it has NEVER flowered. Can you give any tips on what to do to get it to finally flower. Yes i fertilize, water etc as the books have advised. It gets full sun (but tried semi shade also) still no flowers. Any suggestions? See pic below.

A few thoughts did come to mind, do you have any idea what kind of species you have or if you have a hybrid?

The reason I ask is that, originally I wanted a Gram. speciosum or Gram. rumphianum, and I shied away from getting one because I read that they require a nighttime difference in temperature, frequently needing to go from daytime temperatures of 70-80F with a nighttime drop into the 50s F. All Gram. plants require high humidity and high light, these all together, along with their massive sizes, make the genus an infrequently chosen plant for average hobbyist cultivation. If your plant has leaves, then you are already doing better than me. But, maybe you have a plant that requires that temperature drop?

I really only bought the plant because at $6, I couldn't pass it up, and if I kill it, I won't lose too much sleep over it.

Justin

[Epipactis12]

Hi all. I have a G. speciosum that has been in bloom for about 8 months. I bought it in spike, so can't take credit for that. And I don't have a greenhouse and it is not humid where I live here in southern CA. I have it in my bathroom, and it has been pretty happy there. Here is a photo of it over the bathtub. New pb coming, I see.

[Ghana O]

Originally Posted by jpyerry

A few thoughts did come to mind, do you have any idea what kind of species you have or if you have a hybrid?

The reason I ask is that, originally I wanted a Gram. speciosum or Gram. rumphianum, and I shied away from getting one because I read that they require a nighttime difference in temperature, frequently needing to go from daytime temperatures of 70-80F with a nighttime drop into the 50s F. All Gram. plants require high humidity and high light, these all together, along with their massive sizes, make the genus an infrequently chosen plant for average hobbyist cultivation. If your plant has leaves, then you are already doing better than me. But, maybe you have a plant that requires that temperature drop?

I really only bought the plant because at $6, I couldn't pass it up, and if I kill it, I won't lose too much sleep over it.

Justin

Yes I have the one that require high humidity and 10 degree drop in temp at night. I have both here in Ghana. days are about 90 degrees F evenings about 75 degrees F. Thanks any way.

[Ghana O]

Check out my latest blog on my orchids tales. Just click here
My Orchids and the Harmattan Season - orchidwonder's Space

If any one has similar weather where they are, I would love to hear how they cope.

[beezermommy]

Holey moley! Those canes are tremendous. I have a gram. tiger's paw in a plastic bucket. It's about 4-5 feet across. I am going to break it apart soon. Just looking at your repot makes me shiver. I'm going to need 5-6 pots and lots of potting material. Hope yours comes out OK. thanks for the tips.