New growth on Den

[Stefka]

After the panic of the 1st week with my 1st orchid (Dendrobium Emma White- black spots + yellow leaf) my new friend has just started a new growth as you can see in the photo. I am so excited about this!!!
Cynthia suggested in my previous post to repot the den in the same pot but in a more central position. I was wondering if i should wait a bit more or if i can do this now and also if i can use the same media or buy a new one? I was also wondering if i shall use some fertilizer to boost the growth?
Thanks,

[digitalgate]

nice, i like new shoot.

[Tobi]

Stefka,
Since you're in the U.K., I'm assuming you're going into late fall right now.
I would wait on the repotting until spring. Dens. are going into their slow
down growth at this time. Granted you have a new growth and that's great.
It looks very healthy. But I usually cut back on the fertilizing to about once
a month to every 5 weeks for my Phal-type Dens. Some people don't fertilize
at all during this period. It doesn't look like its overly pot bound, so it should
do fine until spring. I would change the potting medium when you do repot.

[Stefka]

Hi Tobi,

Yes i am in the UK and it is now fall (and it starts to be cold).
It looks like my den really likes it's new location. how come it is possible for an orchid to be in slow down growth and produce a new growth?

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

If a growth started, it is time to water often, as the rule of thumb is to water well during growth and blooming, and to let your Dens get very dry before watering, when not in growth or bloom.

As to repotting, the absolute best time to repot is when the new growth is just starting new roots. Dens start rooting when the new growth is a few inches long, which is coming up very soon now. So, my recommendation is to repot now or any time from now until the rooting starts, which doesn't really give you a lot of time to find some mix, if you have to search for it, like we do up here in Prescott. The recommendation to repot in spring is based on many orchids starting growth in spring, but it is much better to look at the plant to know when growth is starting, not to go by seasons.

[Stefka]

Thanks for the answer,
I am going to get some new potting mix this weekend. do I need to go for a particular type?
I've been asking around where i could find a nursery and I got a few addresses. Hopefully they'll have what I'm looking for... Once I know what I'm looking for.
I'm going to look on the forum on how to repot the den cos I have no idea how...

[Stefka]

also i have a silly question: do i repot the den with the potting mix up to the base of the new growth or lower?

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

The entire bulb/s should be above the mix with the roots in the mix, sort of like having the base of the bulbs sitting on top of the mix. The mix, usually a bark mix with a little added stuff or not, should be well pressed into the pot. A rule of thumb is that you should be able to lift the pot and plant by just lifting up on the plant, tho maybe just barely, tho if the pot is slope sided, this rule doesn't work too well. I would look for medium size bark or bark mix. Feel the bark thru the bag. It should be hard as a rock. If it is spongy, don't buy it.

[brookn]

Congrats on your new growth!