Pot Too Big? Should I Repot Now?

by Lisa
(United States)

I had the brilliant idea that I would put two plants in a 10 gallon fish tank.
I have plenty of drainage at the bottom to create humidity but may have too much soil altogether. I thought that I had done enough reading but after I got them put in the tank, I read on several sites that they prefer to be somewhat root bound? Your re-potting section seems to agree and I'm wondering what I should do with them now. Give them a month or two to adjust and re-pot as recommended? I was so excited and hopeful...

Thank you,

Lisa

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Oct 10, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Good Orchids (Terrestrial) For Soil Type Media
by: Melissa

Hi again, Lisa.


Another good question ;-).

The media that is more soil like is good for terrestrial orchids, not epiphytes. Phals. and many other orchids are epiphytes or like air plants. They like to grow on trees with the roots hanging in the air.

Terrestrial orchids like to grow in the grownd or in highly decomposed leaf litter like a forest floor. So the media is more like soil.

Cymbidiums are considered somewhat terrestrial plants. I like to grow mine in a combination of orchid soil and some orchid bark however.

Other terresterial orchids are Bletilla, Calanthe, Spirantes (cernua) and Goodyera. Most of these are species type orchids and not what you would EVER find at Walmart or a big box store. (Except for Cymbidiums).

One that is really sweet and totally EASY to grow is Bletilla. It is sometimes called a chinese ground orchid and comes in varieties of pink and white. I think there is a varigated (leaf) one as well. Completely dies back in the winter time and flowers for me EVERY year with out fail.

Hope this helps!

Melissa
www.orchids-plus-more.com
Oct 09, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		What Kind Of Orchid Should I Plant In the Soil Orchid Media?
by: Anonymous

When I get my Phals. out of the tank, I will have 3 bags of soil to use for another purpose. What kind of orchid would use that type of medium? I'd hate to waste it and I'm open to trying another type, too.

Thanks!

Lisa
Oct 09, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Melissa's Remarks
by: Melissa

Thanks again Lisa,

I love it when this forum becomes an exchange of ideas and thoughts.

Since your Phals. are in this soil medium watch VERY CAREFULLY to make sure that the soil media does not get too wet and that the Phalaenopsis roots do not stay wet all the time. If it does not adequately dry out, then repot sooner than later. It would be better to not let them rest and get them in a proper media rather than have the media stay wet. Phals. are prone to root rot and it sounds like you have healthy roots.

You should be able to find orchid fir bark at most any nursery or garden type store. It comes in various sizes (small, medium, large) and is made by quite a few companies. As to a clear pot? I like them for Phals. as Phals. seem to like them. I prefer plastic pots (or slabs, but that is another story ;-) ) for Phals. The common green ones work great but if you can find clear ones then go with that. I know a couple of stores online that carry them. Just ask me and I can send you the url for those companies.

I am sure that you loved getting the plants at 50% off. I sometimes shy away from the plants at the big box stores but the deals can be irrestible. And if you know how to look for a healthy plant, then you can get some incredible orchids for not much money.

Sounds like yours have healthy roots. Great. Healthy roots equals a healthy orchid in my mind. Let us know how it goes.

Cheers!

Melissa
www.orchids-plus-more.com
Oct 06, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Response 2
by: Lisa

Yes, they are Phalaenopsis.
Oct 06, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Response
by: Lisa

Melissa,

Thanks so much! I was hopeful, but you are absolutely right that the medium is a soil-type. I'm not sure where I could get the fir-type but I will take your advice and let them rest for a month and then re-pot. I'll have found the right pot and soil by then. Should I look for a clear pot? That seemed to be a good idea from what I read...

I got the plants from Wal-Mart on a 50% off because they had just bloomed. I used sterile scissors to cut the withered stem and when I took the root ball out of the pot, the roots looked great! There were a ton of them and they were nice and green with no rot at all.
Oct 06, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Your Question Has Several Parts, Please Read My Remarks
by: Melissa

Hi Lisa, Thanks for your great question and the pictures.

I want to commend you for a great idea, trying to find the right environment for your orchids. You may not have got it right but I really like your creativity and thinking.

But perhaps without realizing it your have brought up several questions.

First off, thanks for the pictures. Pictures can tell a lot.

Defintitely the "media" and pot that you have for the two plants in the 10 gallon fish tank is too big for your two plants.

You want to size the pot slightly larger than the root ball of the orchid as a general rule. An inch or so. Not all orchids prefer to be somewhat root bound. Dendrobiums do. Many orchids can be in a pot several years before repotting, all things being equal. But if there roots are rotten or the media is breaking down then it is necessary to repot.

For your particular plants, if the drainage is really good you could let them rest for a month or so. But I think if it were my plants I would find the right size pots (with drainage in the pot) and repot them.

Which brings me to the question that you did not ask but that is looking at me in the pictures.

The media you are using. It looks to me that the bag I can see in the picture is for orchids. But I can not tell if it is the right kind of orchid media for your kind of orchids. Actually I can not tell from your picture what kind of orchids these are but I am "assuming" they are Phalaenopsis. But if they are epiphytes (as many orchids are, Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium etc.) the media should be like orchid fir bark not like soil like. I "think" the bag is the soil type that would be ok for terrestrial orchids but not for epiphytes. Write me back and let me know. But if the media looks like soil, then DEFINITELY repot into smaller pots and use orchid fir bark, not soil like media.

I hope this helps!

So stay excited and hopeful... You are off on a great orchid growing journey.

Melissa
www.orchids-plus-more.com

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