repotting a Pleurothallid
the
repotting a Pleurothallid
click on photo to see a close-up
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| As always, begin your potting session by sterilizing your cutting tools. Be sure to re-sterilize before cutting another plant. The following technique is suitable for a number of pleurothallids including Masdevallia, Restrepia, many Pleurothallis, etc. | These orchids have no pseudo- bulbs for water storage and need even moisture. We will tailor our potting to address that need . The plant you are repotting is probably in a plastic pot. Squeeze the pot all around to loosen the plant from the pot. | You may find when you get the plant out of the pot that it already has divided itself into natural divisions. If not, you can gently pull the plant apart (or cut with shears) if you intend to divide, or leave whole if not. Be sure to leave at least 5 or 6 growths plus a new lead or two for these small plants. |
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| After you have removed most of the old potting media with your fingers you can cut away any old bloom spikes or dead roots. | We will use New Zealand sphagnum moss for this Masdevallia. Select a pot that will allow for one to two years growth. Place 2 or 3 styrofoam peanuts in the bottom of the pot. Make sure that you are not using water soluble peanuts by testing one in a cup of water. | Wrap a bit of sphagnum moss around the roots of the orchid. You may want to wear gloves if you are uneasy about handling sphagnum moss because of Sporotrichosis, |
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| Place the plant in the pot close to the center and begin adding wads of sphagnum moss. Do not pack the moss too tightly...it should still be springy. Do not cover the base of the growths, allow the plant to sit above the moss. | Because the roots were not in good condition on this Masdevallia, there is not much to anchor it. We will need to use a small rhizome clip to secure the plant. Use the clip to compact the media close to the plant, do not try to force it between growths. | Don't forget the nametag! Add the date of repotting if you wish. |
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