VERY root bound Den.

[Olive Cook]

I'm repoting one of my Dens into s/h, and it's extremely root bound. its holding the shape of the pot it was in, and I can't get it to loosen up enough to get all of the old bark out of it. I've been soaking in fresh water to try and soften it up... most of the roots look good and green and happy. I don't want to damage any of them.
(My computer isn't wanting to connect to the internet, so I can't post pics right this moment )

Any helpful hints out there?
thanks a million!

[Olive Cook]

well, once I got it untangled, it turns out that most of the tangled part was bad...
Repot went well, now lets see if the plant does better.
I have it under lights now too, since it wasn't really getting the light it needed

[digitalgate]

As old American saying goes "If it aint broken don't fix it."
If it began to have rotting problem then It would be wise to cut the root as well. Plus Dendrobium like to be root bound they bloom easier . I usually cut the old root away and leave the newer root alone. It depend on how you mount the plant or plant the plant. I usually let the old bulb- rootless when propagating. The new bulb will have new root to grow. It control the growth and make sure it goes in the direction I want. U dont want a multiple direction growth , it is taxing on the plant and rebloom is slower.
I did not grow anything in S/H as i want control in direction of growth and quality of bloom. Plus i have monitor the plant for mosquito breeding. The local authority loves to give me fine of $200 for every larvae they find. (since when do mosquito larvae found singly ?)

[Olive Cook]

WOW! $200 for every larvae!!!
I grow in my house, so that's thankfully not an issue.
I know Dens like to be root bound, so it was put back into the smallest pot possible. But the reason I was repotting was that the bark (in ALL of my plants, even the Dens that stay drier) was moulding. I had to get all of the old bark out, and in the process realized that most of the roots were dead... so I figured cut them.
It's putting out new roots right now anyway

[davetheorchidaddict]

If the plant is growing well why change it? I had a Den. Jaquline Thomas (purple) years ago and it was planted in a non-degradable medium, when it out grew the pot I just put it, pot and all, in a larger pot with the same medium. After 3 times it was in a large clay pot. It started blooming on July 1, 1997 and bloomed continuely until I donaged it to the club arction in 2004 still in full bloom. Each pot enlargement did not disturbe the roots nor slow the growth down. If it ain't broke don't break it.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by digitalgate

U dont want a multiple direction growth , it is taxing on the plant and rebloom is slower.

Are you talking about dendrobiums here or some other orchid? I want as many leads as possible on my dens because I get more flowers. I don't seem to have slower reblooms on the dens I have with multiple leads.

[digitalgate]

Originally Posted by kmarch

Are you talking about dendrobiums here or some other orchid? I want as many leads as possible on my dens because I get more flowers. I don't seem to have slower reblooms on the dens I have with multiple leads.

i mount my pseudobulb at the edge of the pot to ensure the den or catt has the max leg room to grow. So if it grow toward the centre of the pot i am happy. Also I dont like to repott so often as i can only mount 6 per day. If the plant decide to grow inward toward the centre of the pot and outward outside the pot , i would have to do a double job of repoting the plant again
So that is why i suggest cutting the root away on the older bulb to make sure that does not happen. (since when do they obey that any way_)

IF i want multiple growth then i would mount it in the centre of the pot. but be prepared to repot soon. Of course if you want multiple spike then that what you would want to do

[Olive Cook]

well, like I said, the bark was moulding. This was one of the two Dens that was dropping leaves, I repoted them both and they seem to be a lot happier.
Even if they don't bloom again soon, I'd much rather have the plant be healthy and happy until it DOES decide to bloom again. A strong plant puts out better blooms, right?

[digitalgate]

Originally Posted by Olive Cook

A strong plant puts out better blooms, right?

well said , well said

[Brooke]

Olive of you have mold in all of your orchid pots, you need to increase the air movement and decrease the watering.

Digi you really confuse me I don't know if you are talking about catts, dens, pots, mounts I'm with Kevin I want multi direction growth on rhizome orchids.

Brooke

[digitalgate]

a picture is worth a thousand word. Here what I mean.

imagine if the new shoot grow backward, I have to repot again. troublesome
here a catt

another

[davetheorchidaddict]

I love those pictures that you have there digitalgate it shows that orchids can grow on anything and bloom.

[Brooke]

I see what you were trying to say - you don't mind if the rhizome branches on the newest section and grows forward as long as a dormant eye on the oldest cane/pbulb doesn't sprout and go backward.

Brooke