Basket question

[Tony]

I have a Brassia Edvah Loo currently in a 6" pot. It's a big plant (14 pseudobulbs and 4 new growths) and in need of repotting once it finishes flowering. I'm thinking about putting it in a basket, but I've never grown in baskets before. What is the best potting medium for baskets, and when the plant outgrows a basket, how do you move it to a bigger one without tearing the roots apart? I know Brassias like to be pot-bound, does this apply to basket culture as well, or can I put it in one with room for several year's growth?

[Ray]

In my opinion, basket culture should be limited to folks who can water a great deal, and with plants that don't need a lot of medium surrounding their roots and like to have their roots dangling in air.

I had not heard that brassieas like to be pot-bound, but if that's true, I would vote against as basket.

If you DO go with a basket, you will need some sort of liner to contain whatever potting material you select. I use stands of coconut husk fiber.

Typically, when moving to a larger basket, one just plops it in, old basket and all, which is another reason that a basket of organic medium can be a problem.

[Tony]

What would you suggest for growing a specimen plant?

[Gin]

Hi , I would just move it up to a larger pot.sounds like a nice big plant no use fixing what isn't broke Gin

[Tony]

Here is a picture. I can water as often as it needs, and they seem to love growing over the edge and throwing aerial roots everywhere, that's why I was thinking a basket would work. I really would like to do something different with this one instead of a pot, but if you guys really don't think it's a good idea then I guess I'll just move it up to an 8". Also, do you know of a way to get rid of all the water spots that won't hurt it? Could I wipe the leaves down with a bit of diluted vinegar or something like that?

[justatypn]

Toni, Vinegar and water will get rid of the spots. So will lemon juice. Neither will have any ill effects on the leaves or the orchid. 1/2 and 1/2...