post-potting care, bare root imports, back bulbs

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post-potting care, bare root imports, back bulbs

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If you have chosen the proper time to repot an orchid, as emphasized throughout the demonstrations, they should establish themselves quickly. In a few weeks, vegetative and root growth should be evident. These recently repotted dendrobiums were potted at the right time and are showing strong new root growth. They should establish quickly and suffer no setback.

Placing newly repotted orchids in lower light than we would normally grow them they will allow them to photosynthesize at a slower rate. This lower workload puts less demands on the orchid's reserves. These newly repotted orchids at a commercial nursery are hung below mature, established plants which block some of the light. There are some differences of opinion as to how often to water repots. We water them normally. Click the DESCRIBE button below for a more detailed discussion.

Imported orchids are becoming increasingly common at orchid shows and festivals. Foreign vendors usually bring plants to the US bare root. We encourage you to purchase only plants known to be seed grown. If the demand for wild-collected orchids diminishes, so will the collecting of them.

Inspect bare root imports for decay or rot on leaves or pseudobulbs. If present remove the affected part with a sterile cutting tool.

Some growers like to soak imports in a gallon of tepid water in which a cup of sugar has been dissolved. Vitamins such as SuperThrive™ or vitamin E can be added. Plants are left soaking for a couple hours then set on newspaper to dry. We like to also spray these plants with a broad spectrum fungicide such as Captan or Dithane. Allow plants to dry overnight before handling. You may then pot them up or use the technique below.

Back bulbs and bare root plants can be placed in empty clay pots and kept in a shady location. Severely dehydrated plants benefit from a pad of damp sphagnum placed in the bottom of the pot. Do not try to cover the roots, just set the plant on the sphagnum. If the location receives water along with your other orchids, the clay will absorb moisture and provide a cool, moist environment. Otherwise, frequent misting will serve the same purpose. When new root growth shows, plants can be potted normally.

Some orchids such as Catasetum, Cycnoches and Dendrobium will push offshoots from nodes high on the pseudobulb. Phalaenopsis will occasionally push keikis from old bloom spikes. When roots are about an inch long, the new plantlet can be carefully removed and potted. Dress the cut tissue with fungicide paste.