Rearranging Lycaste Bulbs

[clarita]

Have a lycaste in a 12" pot. It is growing off the sides of the pot but there is plently of room in 1/2 the pot. Its grown in an arch pattern. I don't want to divide or pot up so any thoughts on "rearranging" the bulbs in its existing pot? The new growth and flowers are a bit early this year.

[kmarch]

Clara,

Your timing is excellent because I have a lycaste that isright up to the edge of the pot as well while about 1/4 of the pot is empty.

After blooms have faded, unpot the orchid and repot it in the same size pot (preferably a fresh one) positioning the pot so that the old back growths are near the edge of the pot and the leads face the empty part. I've attached a PDF that illustrates what 'm talking about.

This may take a little work because the roots will probably need to be rearranged to fit. But it will give you a chance to remove any dead roots so it will be worth the time spent.

[made4engineering]

I say mount it.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by made4engineering

I say mount it.

A lycaste? You're funning us, right?

[Stitz]

kmarch,

That's what I thought until last month! I purchased a Lycaste (Ida) trifoliata from Peruflora. It is relatively small. The pseudobulbs are thin and narrow. It appears to me that mounting it would be an option for those fortunate growers with a GH or adequate temp/humidity year round.

Mounting other Lycastes? That is funny!


--Stitz--

[made4engineering]

Laugh it up guys... one day I'll have a mounted Grammatophyllum

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by made4engineering

Laugh it up guys... one day I'll have a mounted Grammatophyllum

And a flat bed truck with attached crane to haul it around in.

[clarita]

Thanks. No mounting here. The plants has about 25 pb's. I will have to cut it apart to keep the same pot size. It just started to bloom so it willl be awhile but I see that some of the new growth is being suffocated by being jammed under the pot lip. I've tried to pull the bulbs up a bit for now.... A new "hairdo" is comming for that lycate

[kmarch]

Have you considered a larger pot? Big specimen-sized lycastes with a couple dozen flowers is such a nice show! What kind of lycaste is it?

[clarita]

I've considered it and just can't go any bigger. It takes forever to dry out and I have space issues living in the city.