The Official Semi-Hydroponics Forum

[WendyLea]

Just got an order in today that included, to my surprise, an in-spike Oncidium 'Sharry Baby'. Majorly in spike. Like almost 3ft.

No open buds, but I hate the idea of having to wait to get it out of the old bark mix that it's in.

It's currently seriously rootbound in a 4" pot that I've had to wedge between a couple of large, clean rocks to keep it from falling over. The plant itself is almost 2 feet tall with an average leaf length of 1 to 1 1/2 feet from tip to base.

So, should I go ahead and repot it into s/h?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Wendy

[raybark]

There is no hard-and-fast rule on that one. It's a matter of "what do you want to risk?"

Repotting it may result in loss of buds or blossoms, but if the potting medium is so far gone that it'll likely take out the root system if you wait, it would be better to risk the flowers than the plant.

If it's that root-bound, you're sure to do some significant damage when repotting, so personally I'd "baby" it until it's finished blooming, moistening the medium only, rather than drenching it (so the void spaces stay open), and wait to repot when new growth start forming, along with their accompanying roots.
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Ray Barkalow
Orchid Iconoclast

[WendyLea]

That's sort of what I was thinking. I've repotted a couple previously that were starting to spike, but never one with a spike this big.

So, I'll baby it until after it's finished blooming and repot then.

Thanks, Ray, I appreciate the advice.



Wendy