Dendrobium in a basket thoughts?

[Vivienne]

Since everyone's been discussing Dendrobiums lately, I thought I'd throw out another topic to see what you guys and gals think.

I have a Den. Proud Appeal 'Ace' which just finished blooming a few weeks ago. As you can see in the pic, there is lots of new growth, in fact it's rather hard to count all the canes this plant has (no I do not plan to divide it). I have been thinking that it's about time to move this guy up in pot size from it's very crowded 3.5" pot. Then I realized that I have an 8" wood slat basket. So... does anyone grow their Dens in wood baskets? Or should I just pot up to a 5" pot?
I think it could benefit from a little more space... am I correct or not?

[arleneg]

Hi Vivienne,

I have a Den. biggibum in a plastic basket. Knowing Co. Springs has low humidity, I suggest placing a layer of medium coconut husk chips around the roots. You could even line the basket with coconut fiber and place your Den over it before adding the chips.

One member has her 'mini' Den growing in a wood basket with sphag moss. I chose not to go that route because I've had bad luck with moss.

Please take a pic of you Den. in a basket after you're done 'repotting'. You have a knack for making your orchids look sooo decorative.

[Vivienne]

Thanks arlene. Great idea to line the basket with the fiber. I know just where to get some too! I was thinking, if I do do this repot to basket, that I could hold the plant upright with cross sections of fishing line. My thinking that future growth will find it's way thru the line.

[joan gero]

Hi Vivienne, when I was just at the NCAOS here in D.C., the "orchid doctor" had rather strong feelings that plants -- esp den's -- should be repotted in the spring when the root growth is most likely to be most intense. But you're sooo experienced it looks like you aren't worried about that. Is that right? I'll be eager to see what happens... your moldy flask certainly did well!!!

[Vivienne]

Thanks joan - that is very sweet to say. I'm certainly not that experienced... trying to figure out if it's really what I want to do. Agreed, about repotting in the spring, but then again, this guy has a bunch of new growths that are putting out roots... just not very fast. It might be a very good idea to wait.

Time will tell with the moldy flask of vanda. 3 of them are looking good but the one that was buried in the agar (and touched by the mold) doesn't seem particularly thrilled to be out and about.

[tom499]

I would strongly agree with joan gero about the timing of the repot. If it grows slowly through winter it may have a chance, but dens can die from being repotted in winter because the wont attach themselves to the new media vey quickly.

[11Orchid126]

It all depends on how you repot. If you intend to just move it up into the basket and tuck media around it without disturbing the roots, then I say go for it. But if you intend to shake and untangle all the old stuff out of the roots and traumatize them, then I say wait until spring.

Personally, I don't have the timeor strength to babysit plants in baskets. I prefer growing my dens in pots.

[Vivienne]

11Orchid126 - I was thinking I would see if I could loosen up the clump that is the plant and that would definitely mess with the roots. So perhaps for now I'll just 'pot on' the whole plant to a larger container and then put it in the basket in the spring.