Repotting to s/h

[Gareth]

Am lost again. I have 6 orchids, not blooming but putting out new leaves and new roots. I have my s/h supplies coming this week and intended to repot the orchids into s/h. Should I wait till spring or repot in the type medium they are now in? They need to be in bigger pots.

Thanks for the help. Gareth

[Ranchnanny]

Hi Gareth I wouldn't wait to repot them in s/h cause when they are producing new roots that's the time to do it. Just don't plant them into to big a pot.

Good Luck
Sheridan

[flyfishdoc]

If you see new roots, go for it. They will adjust. I have had 2 catts bloom in the past 2 months on bulbs that grew from transplanting into S/H the first of August.

[johnblagg]

Oh yeah if you have roots growing its the time to go into s/h with them

[stefpix]

Do the old roots always die when you repot?

also I wonder if the LECA and water get colder in teh winter - maybe too cold? seems that the S/H posts feel colder to the touch/ most likely evaporation causes cooling

[johnblagg]

I would think maybe a little ...I have seen posts about using bottom heat with s/h and Ray at first Rays does sell a heater for this I believe.

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by johnblagg

I would think maybe a little ...I have seen posts about using bottom heat with s/h and Ray at first Rays does sell a heater for this I believe.

I highly recommend bottom heat. I use hydrofarm heating mats that are made for seed germination but works wonders for establishing plants, too.

Because of the evaporation process, especially on medium like hydroton, it should not only feel cool to the touch, but is cool to the touch. Humans use the same properties when we sweat. By being wet we cool 10X faster than if we had dry skin.

So, I highly recommend bottom heat. Watch the water, though-- 10-20 degrees warmer can get that water res at the bottom to evaporate water pretty fast.