Orchid Care OrchidTalk Orchid Forum Links Nursery

Welcome to OrchidTalk Orchid Forums


The Friendliest Orchid Community on the Internet!


  •  » Learn to Repot your Orchids
  •  » Learn Orchid Care Tips and Secrets
  •  » Find the perfect Orchid for your Growing Environment
  •  » Chat with Orchid Growing Professionals

OrchidTalk - "Bringing People Together to Grow Orchids Better!"


Let us help you grow your Orchids better; Join our community today.


YES! I want to register an account for free right now!


Register or Login now to remove this advertisement.

Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 32

Thread: Repotting help needed Monnierara Millenium Magic ‘Witch Craft’ AM/AOS

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Real Name
    Mary Kay
    My Grow Area
    Porch/Patio.
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Pearland, TX (Houston area)
    Posts
    304
    Member's Country Flag

    Default Repotting help needed Monnierara Millenium Magic ‘Witch Craft’ AM/AOS

    I purchased Monnierara Millenium Magic ‘Witch Craft’ AM/AOS today. It is in a 4" plastic pot. One old fat bald psuedobulb and then the new bulb with leaves. It is probably 18" high and looks very healthy. However, it is planted in moss and it seems to be old moss that is breaking down pretty badly. Also roots are kind of knotted up around the holes at the bottom and look like they have been there for some time.

    Can I repot this guy now and if so, what media would it like? I have been searching for info on this guy but haven't found a lot yet. Thank you.

    Name:  MilMagic_sm.jpg
Views: 2109
Size:  44.8 KB

  2. #2
    Real Name
    lijun
    My Grow Area
    Porch/Patio.
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    exploring and getting greedy
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    north sumatra, indonesia
    Posts
    394
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    hi again mary,.. i don't have this orchid but love the black,... it's great to have in collection...

    the other may have different opinon about repotting,..
    for me,.. best time to repot or not, not gonna risk letting root rotting in old breaking down moss,..
    would treat it for fungal and bacteria before giving fresh medium...
    as for medium choice,.. maybe the others could give better advice,.. the medium we use here are very different standard,..

  3. #3
    Real Name
    Steve
    My Grow Area
    Under Lights
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Paph Roth's
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Gender
    Male
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    400
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    Do not know the genus but if it has fine roots i would go for a fine bark medium with some sphag , if the roots are more fibrous a slightly more open mix , medium bark with some sponge rock & charcoal.I would use a clear pot initially so that you can keep a close eye on the roots & should give you a better idea when to water.

  4. #4
    Real Name
    Mary Kay
    My Grow Area
    Porch/Patio.
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Pearland, TX (Houston area)
    Posts
    304
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    Name:  MM_repotting mes-sm.jpg
Views: 1770
Size:  83.1 KBOk, I am in way over my head. I started repotting this guy this morning. I had to cut the plastic pot away. The moss is terrible and very broken down. Especially under the old bulb. It is like sludge. Anyway, my problem is that the roots are very firm and "crispy". They are melded together and I am afraid to break them. so, I have been working for hours with water, tweezers and trying to get the old stuff out. I still have a ways to go, but I have most of the junk that was the worst out of it. The roots are very much in the shape of the pot and are not relaxing at all.

    Now what? Do i just get out as much as I can, then shove some more inside as best I can and repot. Or do I break them apart?
    Most of the roots look good. There are a few that are brown, but firm.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

  5. #5
    Real Name
    Wade Hollenbach
    My Grow Area
    Greenhouse
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Anything in bloom :)
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Gender
    Male
    Location
    Central Pennsylvannia
    Posts
    602
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    The moss definitely had seen better days. I have limited experience with these, but I would use moss again, but in a clay pot. I like the way a clay pot allows the moss to "breathe" and it usually requires watering every few days. I would allow room for one good growth so maybe a 6" pot would work. Also, potting with moss usually does not result in many damaged roots - a concern as this is a little late for repotting. Most important is to give the plant a good rest starting in fall when the leaves should start to yellow and fall off. No water from November till new roots are a couple inches long except for misting if you notice the bulb shriveling. Also cool it to about 60F during that rest time. Good luck!!!

  6. #6
    Real Name
    Mary Kay
    My Grow Area
    Porch/Patio.
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Pearland, TX (Houston area)
    Posts
    304
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    Thanks Wade. The guy I bought it from said it was ok to repot since it is in active growth. I had read info both ways, but with the horrible condition of the moss, I think it was better to do it now then let it rot away, The moss directly under the bulb was a dark sludge, not even recognizable as moss. I think when it was repotted previously, this area was left with old moss. The moss near the bottom seemed fairly fresh.

    As I have most of my orchids outside, I am out there watering the vandas twice a day, so I will check him regularly. From the one I saw blooming, this is a stunning flower. Thanks for your help.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Saratoga Co. New York
    Posts
    6,922

    Default

    best time to repot these is at the start of new growth before the roots develop. But sounds like an emergency repotting was necessary. I would not try to untangle roots, they will break...shove some moss in and plant in moss surrounding roots. best of luck with it...one of the darkest chids that I have seen!!! There is a good article on Catasetinae culture here:
    http://www.aos.org/images/img_conten...catasetums.pdf

  8. #8
    Real Name
    Mary Kay
    My Grow Area
    Porch/Patio.
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Pearland, TX (Houston area)
    Posts
    304
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    Thanks Ron. As I mentioned, the moss directly under the bulbs was nothing but dark sludge. It was gross. I got as much out as I could with my fingers, tweezers and sprays of water. I packed some moss back in through the few openings in the roots and planted in moss around. A few roots were darker than the rest, but all in all, the roots seemed healthy and there was new growth. I don't know how as it was so compacted

    Hopefully I will still get blooms.

  9. #9
    Real Name
    lijun
    My Grow Area
    Porch/Patio.
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    exploring and getting greedy
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    north sumatra, indonesia
    Posts
    394
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    I found washing roots with running water with shower helps remove leftover medium. If you ever have to pull something out,.. i found it better do it when it's half wet. Very wet makes root fragile easy to break, dry makes it hard. Also now when repotting, i have new habbit to seperate root using big dringking straws. Minimum break compare to using other things.

  10. #10
    Real Name
    Mary Kay
    My Grow Area
    Porch/Patio.
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Pearland, TX (Houston area)
    Posts
    304
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    Lijun,
    Can you explain the separating roots with a drinking straw? Sounds very interesting.

Similar Threads

  1. Monn. Millenium Magic 'Witchcraft' AM/AOS
    By gardenguysorchids in forum Orchids of Other Genera IN BLOOM
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: March 27th, 2017, 09:38 AM
  2. Replies: 8
    Last Post: January 23rd, 2014, 05:38 AM
  3. Magic Lantern compot repotting
    By Phyrex in forum General Orchid Culture
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: August 2nd, 2009, 06:13 PM
  4. Dendrobium Black Magic help needed
    By PAL in forum Genus Specific
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: December 7th, 2007, 03:25 PM
  5. Brassia Mem. Fritz Boedeker 'Witch Doctor'
    By grubea in forum Orchids For Sale / For Trade
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: March 19th, 2006, 09:26 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
OrchidTalk --An Orchid Growers Discussion Forum brought to you by River Valley Orchidworks. A World Community where orchid beginners and experts talk about orchids and share tips on their care, cultivation, and propagation.