It was the potting challenge of the century! The Coelogyne was potted in an 8" bulb pan, but the plant grew over the edge by several inches in a gnarled mess. It was difficult to decide how to start such a massive re-potting project.
Many orchids grow from rhizomes, stem-like structures that grow out from the plant sideways and then produce roots, a new growth and a leaf. In the Cattleya group, these rhizomes grow across the pot, just under the surface of the media. Most of the time, under typical conditions, the roots go down into the media, and the new growth pops out of the top and shoots for the sky. If the rhizome hits the pot edge, it will typically grow over the edge and continue to try to grab onto something! When this happens, it is a good time to re-pot.
 |
|
Coelogyne rhizome
|
The new root and plant growth needs a place to go, so re-potting into a larger pot is usually advisable. Sometimes, some of the old pseudobulbs can be cut off and discarded and the plant may be placed in the same pot. The old pseudobulbs can also be cut off, in groups of 3-4 bulbs, and potted separately. If they are strong, older growths, they will usually root in and begin sending out new plant growth. This is called a "division."
When orchids are divided, usually 3-4 bulb growths are a recommended minimum. If only one or two growths are cut off and potted, many times they are not strong enough to survive.
In some sub-groups of orchids, rhizomes will grow up and out of the pot, instead of staying near the top of the planting media. Many varieties of Bulbophyllum, Maxillaria and Oncidium wil send their new rhizome growth straight up in the air. They
then produce new leaf and root growth far from the parent plant, sometimes as much as several inches away.
These types of orchids produce their own potting challenges. Many times we will pot these into baskets or net pots so that the rhizomes will grow around the pot and root into the media, poking through the slats or holes. These varieties can also be mounted onto longer pieces of wood or tree fern poles so that the plant can continue to grow in it's natural way. Another option is to cut the plant apart, in 3-4 bulb pieces, and repot it into a bit larger pot in and cluster, or clump. These pieces will then root in and begin to send out new plant growth.
All of this dividing and re-potting should be done during the plant's natural, high-growth season - usually spring or summer. The divisions will root in quickly during these months. Remember to sterilize all cutting tools when making divisions in order to keep fungus, virus and rot from spreading. We recommend TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) solution for sterilizing/dipping tools between plants.
It is always easier to re-pot and divide a plant when it is done on a regular basis - every 1-2 years. When plants are left to fend for themselves, they sometimes will grow into a tangled mess, rather like the Coelogyne I'm looking at now.....I better get started!
Enjoy your hobby!
Liese
