Onc repotting

[Tmai]

Got a beautifu dancing lady as a gift from a friend. Blooms have been beautiful! Now it's time to repot and I have a question. No kidding!
This plant came to me in a 6" pot. Upon inspection the root ball itself is only 2" across. This healthy looking plant has a 2" hard packed root ball packed in sphag in a 6" pot. What do I do? Do I pry the root ball apart (it is packed very hard) and repot in looser medium, or just leave it alone and hope for the best? Couldn't see any rotten roots or leaves but the ball is very damp.
Suggestions, please?

Thanks!
Tmai

[Diane]

Oh! I hate when they do that! I do repot plants in that kind of potting set up. I soak the root ball and work it as loose as possible, then pot in the smallest possible pot that will hold the plant using bark and some charcol.. At least that works for me... see what the others have to say.

[clintdawley]

Diane is correct. That beauty is way overpotted to survive in spag. Repotting is the only way to go. You'll be glad you did

[Diane]

Learn from others mistakes.... Diane - world champion over-potter!!

[Piper]

Hi Tami,

After a nice long soak (1-2 hours wouldn't hurt) the roots will be more pliable. With some patient coaxing, you should be able to loosen them up and create some separation. Just keep telling yourself, they want air! The more you can tease them apart and insert a bit of potting material, the better they'll perform for you.

You can go back to sphag or use bark, as Diane suggested. Whatever medium works best in your environment. Just go to an appropriate sized pot!

Let us know how it goes!

Julie

[Tmai]

Thanks, ya'll! The new baby is soaking now. What should I do with the flower spike? About half of the blooms have fallen off. I wouldn't mind cutting the spike if it will help the plant. Should I and how?
Here are some pics of the blooms. Anybody want to hazard a guess about what she is?

Sorry, got a thunderstorm here and logged off before adding the pics. Here they are:





Tami

[orchid-man]

yes the spike can be cut off.Just cut it as low as possible ,this wi;; be just inside the leaf .

[Tmai]

Learn from others mistakes.... Diane - world champion over-potter!!

Thy wisdom and experience generously bestowed upon us poor sots more than atones for your championship, m' lady. If we heed thy advise there may be no challengers for your crown!

[Piper]

She's a beauty, Tami!

I wouldn't be in a rush to cut the spike, but it's ultimately your choice. If the leaves or pseudobulbs look stressed, then I'd suggest cutting it. If you had a large and unattractive spike with nothing left to look at except one tiny little flower, then I'd cut the spike. But those are still pretty! I'd let it go and enjoy them till they decide to call it quits.

As for...er...ah...m'lady, she's not the only one that's learned the overpotting lesson the hard way! Luckily it doesn't hurt the plant as some of our other goof-ups can! It will stall leaf and flower development, but it does provide a good root base.

Julie

[Diane]

Love the flowers... such a great color combo