Tranferring from stick/cork to pot

[arleneg]

I'm looking at buying one or two miniature Dendrobiums that are mounted on stick or cork and would like to transfer them to a pot. Is it fairly easy to detach an orchid from a stick/cork? Living in a low humidity environment, I prefer my orchids to be in pots...and not having to mist/water any 1-2 times a day.

Any advice on how to transfer them from stick/cork to pot will be apprecited.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I usually do this, because I don't have a place to have them drip without dripping all over my potted plants. This is a rough change for the plants and they often produce smaller growths the first year while readjusting to the new growth method. If the roots are high on the surface of the stick, I will roll them slightly sideways to break them free from the stick without breaking the roots or leave too much velamen behind on the stick. If the root dives into a crack, I will take a sharp tool and pry up the wood under/around the roots. Since you may accidentally stab a root with the sharp tool, you should probably sterilize it. Good luck with the removal, and try to keep the roots well areated in their new mix, and keep the mix on the dry side for a while. You probably should do a little checking to see if these are wet all the time types. Most are not, and would prefer to be very dry for a little while before watering again in winter. Just about all Dendrobiums want wet/damp conditions while growing or in bloom. Cynthia

[BillC]

Cynthia, jumping into the post from Arleneg, and considering your reply, I am awaiting the arrival of a mounted D.Laevifolium which is coming into flower. I am also thinking of potting it but maybe I should wait until it stops flowering. ( I believe it flowers for a long time ). I have never had a mounted plant and presume that all watering and fertilising will be carried out by spraying. Any tips you can give will be gratefully received. Bill

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I think my laevifolium was potted when I got it. But I new that they liked to be damp all the time. And just to make sure I did not over water, because after all, a 'never dry out' plant is something we just can't quite conceive of, I put it in a small treefern cup and filled in around with a fine mix. So now I water every day mostly, and don't worry about being too wet, because the treefern keeps the small bark areated, and the plant will grow outward onto the treefern and will be like it is mounted, but also like it is potted, sort of a compromise. Also, the plant will eventually cover the cup, and when it blooms with its dense cover of flowers, it will look like a ball of flowers. I only had three growing leads on the plant, and it did a modest job of covering the top of the cup with flowers. This is a fairly low light plant, 2000-3000fc.

I'm surprised that your plant is going to be just starting to bloom. Mine was in bloom 2 or 3 months ago, with I think one flower still hanging on. Cynthia

[BillC]

Cynthia, thanks for the info. I will play this by ear and act on your suggestion if I can remove it from the mount without doing too much damage. I will wait until the flowers have finished before attempting any change.

Tha plant is coming from a nursery in County Meath in Ireland and this might explain why it is coming into flower at this time. Bill