Orchid Repot?
I just received this Zygopetalum orchid in the mail today and although it’s a good sized plant (15 inches or so for the tall leaves), it is in a very tiny pot. My question is, how big a pot can I repot into? I know for most plants you should only go up an inch or so, but is this also true of orchids? Thanks! #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #OrchidLovers #ZygopetalumOrchid #OrchidOrg #Orchid #LaSiguanaba #theamigos
2” pot with drainage
Last watered 3 months ago
9
@LaSiguanaba I will defer to Debbie @MotherOfOrchids as she gives such good answers to questions about orchids
I do not know about size, but I know the roots of those can be ridiculously sensitive. Maybe it's best to only repot it, when absolutely necessary and when the first new roots are showing on the new growth. Then look at the bulbs and see if you can make out the direction it grows, so that you can position it on the edge of the pot in a way to use the space of the pot maximally to your advantage. See how big the canes are and how straight it grows. How much space is left for it to produce several canes in the pot in the direction of growth? How fast does it grow. That's what I would consider for the size to avoid another repot for as long as possible. If you know you can be very careful with watering, you might be able to choose a size that doesn't make it necessary to repot again soon.
Also, I've heard it might be worth it to research the parentage to choose the medium and maybe not go for a standard very airy mix. Many zygos are terrestrial and according to MOG, even some that aren't strictly considered that, prefer a more terrestrial mix.
All of the above is mostly theoretical on my side. I just have one zygo under my care, not even in my own house, and up till now have deferred the repot since it is still in bloom (and I'm a bit scared of the repot 😅). But that's how I will approach it, when the time comes.
Also, I've heard it might be worth it to research the parentage to choose the medium and maybe not go for a standard very airy mix. Many zygos are terrestrial and according to MOG, even some that aren't strictly considered that, prefer a more terrestrial mix.
All of the above is mostly theoretical on my side. I just have one zygo under my care, not even in my own house, and up till now have deferred the repot since it is still in bloom (and I'm a bit scared of the repot 😅). But that's how I will approach it, when the time comes.
To answer your more general question: basically, for most orchids, yes, you try not to use too big of a pot. Even more so since the medium is often organic and is would spoil faster if continuously wet on the sides and bottom where no roots are if the pot is too big. But you do consider the root production of the orchid itself, as well. Most phals produce lot of roots, so you can choose a bigger pot (maybe with a bit more aeration holes and less retentive substrate on the bottom, since sadly most bigger pots are a bit deep for their width in my opinion. One of my oncidiums has filled its pot within not even 6 months, so this one will also receive a bigger repot than before. Conversely one of my cats produced almost none in that same timeframe and also only grows one pseudobulb a year, so I will choose a smaller pot when i repot her -;, even though like your new darling, its roots will be very very sensitive whenever I repot and probably die.
Basically, know your orchid and err on the size of caution if you don't yet
Basically, know your orchid and err on the size of caution if you don't yet
@MusicalRedmint Like reading Debbie’s, I love reading your replies @MusicalRedmint although I sometimes overlook you are such an orchid fan (perhaps as I love you have gotten into CPs and have a pest “fetish” lol 😂 with my friends the fungus gnats for instance). Great advice to consider Rose Red @LaSiguanaba
Having read your answers, I love your reply and I always learn something from the contributions of others on Greg. @SuperblyLilac ultimately I find there is no one answer so I would welcome you sharing your insights, observations and expertise. I think there is always room for a difference of opinion and it’s what helps find a better answer rather than holding there is only one answer. Having said that I find @MotherOfOrchids to be detailed, informative and knowledgeable as I also find with Susann @MusicalRedmint who has helped me with her advice on many an occasion. Sometimes I am more interested in the advice others may give rather than offering my own, moreso these days as I’ve settled into Greg app.
To give an example of differing opinions, I went to one orchid society talk that recommended a particular substrate mix for orchids and then the next time I saw the same orchid society talk they suggested another and finally a third talk and they again offered a different orchid mix? So I have considered the different suggestions and worked out my own orchid mix based on the suggested principles considering the alternatives offered. But I have learnt from the differing views.
Having read your answers, I love your reply and I always learn something from the contributions of others on Greg. @SuperblyLilac ultimately I find there is no one answer so I would welcome you sharing your insights, observations and expertise. I think there is always room for a difference of opinion and it’s what helps find a better answer rather than holding there is only one answer. Having said that I find @MotherOfOrchids to be detailed, informative and knowledgeable as I also find with Susann @MusicalRedmint who has helped me with her advice on many an occasion. Sometimes I am more interested in the advice others may give rather than offering my own, moreso these days as I’ve settled into Greg app.
To give an example of differing opinions, I went to one orchid society talk that recommended a particular substrate mix for orchids and then the next time I saw the same orchid society talk they suggested another and finally a third talk and they again offered a different orchid mix? So I have considered the different suggestions and worked out my own orchid mix based on the suggested principles considering the alternatives offered. But I have learnt from the differing views.
@SuperblyLilac I missed the comment so I can only surmise, but I know I contradicted your comment the other day on another post and I’m really sorry if you feel it was negative or called into question your expertise. That was not my intention. For me, I was worried about the plant and that a newbie would think the problem was normal which could then lead them to worse problems or even to lose the plant. I’ve come across so many users on here who are reluctant to buy orchids after losing their first one and I hate that people miss out on such rewarding and beautiful plants because they are scared so I do now and then contradict advice for that reason, especially when it’s the first comment. I also always notice leaf problems first! I think that’s because I love the leaves even more than the blooms (I’m strange!) so I might pick up on leaf problems when others haven’t seen them. There have been times when I’ve missed things that Susann has picked up on and vice versa, and there’s nothing wrong with this! It doesn’t mean I question the other person’s expertise or that they question mine. There is always room for more expertise here! Because, at the end of the day, I don’t think we could ever know everything there is to know about orchids - they love throwing surprises our way. When somebody shares their experience and expertise, it adds something valuable that others might not have considered and therefore produces an environment that’s really rich for learning and understanding more about the plant and any problems they are having. For example, last year I was noticing that my phals were shedding leaves at a fast rate - within the normal range but at the very top of it - and when they get a new leaf, they would almost immediately shed an old one. And I kept on seeing posts with phals with amazing leaves and comments which got me thinking “why are my plants not doing what other people’s do?” and then one day there was a post about how humidity was helping their orchid to thrive. And it clicked for me. That was my problem and it led me to research and now mine are so much happier under my new humidifier and the premature leaf shedding has stopped too! @Seymour is right. There will always be contradictory advice but that doesn’t mean that one person’s advice is more valuable than anyone else’s. What works for one person in their environment won’t work for another, but by people sharing their expertise and what works for them, it adds to people’s awareness and understanding of what could work for them and why. Or what wouldn’t work for them and why. So please do continue sharing your expertise and adding to these wonderful orchid conversations!
I’m really happy that @MusicalRedmint has this covered because I have no experience with zygos. When I’m researching new orchids, I find it helpful to download culture sheets from local orchid societies or nurseries. Even though I’m not in the US, I find the culture sheets on the American Orchid Society’s website very informative. Culture sheets usually contain information about repotting and timing and how to repot. As always, Miss Orchid Girl is incredibly informative too.
@SuperblyLilac Great suggestion CarmiB as I have found the local Orchid Society to be very helpful in starting my journey and love of orchids. In fact it was in part due to them providing me with 3 orchids to take home (after repotting) that started me on really loving and enjoying them as it gave me the confidence to feel I could become an orchid grower. I haven’t looked back 😊👍🤩🙏
@MotherOfOrchids @SuperblyLilac @Seymour
I also like to peruse the aos site though I am not a member. I recently joined a German orchid forum and the differences of opinion are wild there 😀 I agree with Debbie wholeheartedly that in care advice there are often differences of opinion (just look at the cut the spike, do not cut the spike, fertilize with or without presoaking debates) and many things can be overlooked, which is why Greg is great. It all builds toward swarm answers. And in the end OP can learn from the different opinions, if contentious pick one, and make their own experiences. I did read the post in question and of both of your answers and saw no negativity, just additional information on something that might have been overlooked or to make the OP orchid newbie aware of further problems along the road. We are all human, and no matter our experiences, can overlook something. I am always happy if that gets pointed out in my posts, because then I can grow. Or defend my standpoint on why I think I'm still correct, if that is the case.
All of this is why I'm hoping for other input on the zygos here😅 as I stated before, most of what I mentioned is second hand knowledge, I only see the one I care for sporadically, and haven't yet repotted it.
I think I remember MOG having one or two zygo repotting videos too. Together with the orchidbliss and the aos sites, that would provide a starting point for further "reading" should Greg stay silent on this topic
I also like to peruse the aos site though I am not a member. I recently joined a German orchid forum and the differences of opinion are wild there 😀 I agree with Debbie wholeheartedly that in care advice there are often differences of opinion (just look at the cut the spike, do not cut the spike, fertilize with or without presoaking debates) and many things can be overlooked, which is why Greg is great. It all builds toward swarm answers. And in the end OP can learn from the different opinions, if contentious pick one, and make their own experiences. I did read the post in question and of both of your answers and saw no negativity, just additional information on something that might have been overlooked or to make the OP orchid newbie aware of further problems along the road. We are all human, and no matter our experiences, can overlook something. I am always happy if that gets pointed out in my posts, because then I can grow. Or defend my standpoint on why I think I'm still correct, if that is the case.
All of this is why I'm hoping for other input on the zygos here😅 as I stated before, most of what I mentioned is second hand knowledge, I only see the one I care for sporadically, and haven't yet repotted it.
I think I remember MOG having one or two zygo repotting videos too. Together with the orchidbliss and the aos sites, that would provide a starting point for further "reading" should Greg stay silent on this topic
@MotherOfOrchids @MusicalRedmint @Seymour @SuperblyLilac Thank you all for so much helpful information. Looks like there are a lot of good resources out there in addition to all your great responses. I’m going to give my new orchid a little time to adjust to its new surroundings while I figure out what to do next. Again, thanks so much for your help! 🙏🏽