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When to repot monopodial orchids?

Darlene (GreenCurls)

12 years ago

I recently purchased an Angraecum didieri. The grower told me that the plant will need to be repotted after it finishes blooming. It is in a 4in plastic pot. It is growing up and out of the pot a little. But it is not falling over at all.

He suggested that I mount it and put the mount in a clay pot (since I don't have a green house to keep up the humidity). I have zero interest in mounting this orchid mostly out of fear it will dry out and die.

The medium in the pot is in really good shape so I don't think that is a problem. The angraecum has several aerial roots so maybe that is why he suggested repotting it (??). I know I should have asked more questions then...

I understand the mechanics of repotting an orchid, and I know how it identify when a sympodial orchid needs to be potted in a larger pot. However, I am unsure about monopodial orchids.

How do I know when a monopodial orchid needs a larger pot? Also what should I do with the aerial roots when repotting (considering I do not have a green house. just windows and lots of sun)? I have hear conflicting things about leaving them out or tucking them in.

Thanks in advance!

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Comments (5)

jane__ny
12 years ago
I don't grow a Didieri, but do grow Angraecum sesquipedale, and Aeranthes in your zone (although I am now in Fla.)

I grew my Ang in large bark/tree fern in plastic pots. I have only repotted twice in 6 yrs. It will get repotted this year but I haven't decided what media to use as Florida is not NY.

My Aeranthes Grandiose has been growing in small bark with spagh in a plastic pot. I have repotted every 2 years gradually increasing the pot size. This plant likes to be kept damp and warm.

I would not recommend mounting anything in your zone unless you have a greenhouse. I would probably keep whatever mix you use, open and airy.

We have some 'experts' on this forum who, hopefully will chime in, although I don't know if they are growing in your zone.

Aeranthes
{{gwi:144057}}

Jane

Angraecum
{{gwi:144059}}
Darlene (GreenCurls)
Original Author
12 years ago
Wow! Your Aeranthes makes my Ang look so tiny. Based on your reply, I am thinking that repotting is not necessary. Jane, how did you decide to pot up your Aeranthes?

I think the Ang. didieri likes to try out a little between waterings. If anyone can confirm this, that would be great.
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Winter is nigh. Probably best to do repotting in spring. See link to Canadian Orchid Congress for Phalaenopsis culture notes. Go to the search box at the top of the discussions page and put in Keiki to find info. about the baby plants on the Phalaenopsis flower stem. Here is a link that might be useful: Canadian Orchid congress + Phalaenopsis
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Arthrum: good point, the temps in my house are only kept above 65 degrees, but it still seems that some temperature hardy plants still show dislike of my repotting... Dbarron: oh my! Sounds like a tragedy! I get upset enough when I break of a new shoot! Vtandrea: thanks for the suggestion! I'll definitely try it on one of my oncidiums! Jane: I live in the Oakland hills in the SF Bay Area. I grow almost all my indoor orchids in the same spot, positioned around a fireplace to control the amount of light. The facing of the house isn't the best. 80% of the light is late morning to afternoon sun . 90% of the windows are west facing :( like the house... The problem might be I repotted at the wrong time. I didn't a lot of reporting in the winter/ late fall (whoops...)
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Adding sphag to the mix will help keep it moist, but you should still run the pot under water at least once a week. When I spray my plants, the water drips through to the bottom pretty quickly ... but this hardly adds enough water to soak the bark. If you don't want to take all of the plants to the sink once a week, you can bring a deep bowl of water to your plants and dunk each one. If you don't want to let them soak, just dunk them quickly 2-3x a week to re-wet the bark. That's what I do in the winter (my oncidiums got dunked daily). Be warned: using the same bucket of water for all of your plants means that if any of the plants have anything contagious, it will quickly be transmitted to all of your plants, so you need to take care.
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I've been growing orchids for at least ten years and I still get confused by info I find on-line. Unfortunately much of it often being contradictory. More of my two cents worth: your plant has a new pot, size should be OK for another year. Watch those escaping roots, as long as they stay nice and silver green in color with greener growing tips they are happy!!! Misting them with a hand sprayer will make them even happier . it will appreciate moving air from a nearby fan and bright light. Temps the same that you and I enjoy. Feed every week or two with a 1/4 strength plant food ( orchid food, IF available). These are ideal conditions for the plant. They will usually grow/bloom with much less than ideal conditions. Be careful to NOT let water sit in the crown of the leaves. If water splashes in there just blot it out with tissue. It's best to water/mist early in the a.m. If that will work for you, then excess water has time to evaporate. Relax and enjoy your plant, after all you've grown it already for well over six months!!!
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jane__ny
12 years ago
Yes, the Ang dries out. The pot I have it in has holes all around the sides. I also give it high light and keep it out all summer.

The photo of my Aer was taken 3 years ago. It is larger now and has two crowns. It is spiking now and I'll post a shot when the flowers open.

These plants had been growing in NY where the winter, indoor air was very dry. Aerangis doesn't like to dry out. Plastic and sphag worked well. Now we are in Florida, I have a whole new learning curve. So far, so good. I've been keeping it indoors in an East window.

Jane
arthurm
12 years ago
There is no quick and easy answer to this question. Depends on the Genera and the growth habit. If the plant makes nice neat short roots that are easily contained within the pot you can probably pot on more often.

Just packing my Rhynchocentrum Lilac Blossom for OS meeting and it is not a question of repotting, rather more like stopping the roots invading neighbours.

Sorry about the metrics, cannot find a ruler with inches.
Plant height 19Cm
Pot width 7Cm
Longest root length 60Cm

And seeing culture is about trying to maintain good roots, i am not about to chop roots off to try and keep this plant tidy.
Darlene (GreenCurls)
Original Author
12 years ago
In addition to wondering about my Ang. didieri, I asked the question because I have a phal that is literally growing out of it pot. When I was looking for a larger pot at the local orchid show, a grower (a different one than the one who sold me the didieri) told me that I should never have to pot up a phal. I should only have to change the mix. I am pretty sure the root system is good inside the pot. I guess I will see when it is repotting time for the phal.

Arthur and Jane your responses were helpful. Thank you!

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