Questions about repotting bulbophyllum

[cmoonbeam1]

Hi everybody!

I recently got a bulbophyllum Elizabeth Ann 'buckleberry', and it's overgrowing its pot. It was only sent to me a few days ago, and the seller recommended waiting a few months before repotting, but the little guy seems in pretty good shape (has already started growing a new root since I got it).

I really want to repot it, partially because it's escaping, because it's putting out a flush of new roots (on the section that is climbing out of the pot) and also because it's potted in sphagnum which is now two years old, so it's time.

I hear bulbos really don't like being repotted. The stress of its journey from the greenhouse to my apartment seems to be negligible, but will repotting it so soon be too much? It seems quite robust.

I bought a new pot (clay) but it's kind of big compared to the current pot, as you can see from the picture. However, it is shallow. Will it be too big?

One final question. I was thinking of repotting it in a mix of bark, charcoal, perlite and sphagnum. Thoughts?

Basically, I don't want to freak the little guy out too badly. All advice appreciated!

[silken]

I have this hybrid. Since it is getting new roots, I would repot soon. I am using a plastic basket. I lined it with a net - the kind you get with onions or maybe an orange bag. Then some leca balls in the bottom and the roots themselves, which seem to be rather short compared to some orchids are in pure sphagnum moss. I find it is happy in pure moss. They don't like to dry out. I don't think your pot is too big since they do creep. Plant it so there is room for the growing end to continue in the pot. I use the odd rhizome clip to control which direction new growths take. I can't say if it would be happy in the mix you are proposing but it should be fine. OrchidWiz says shallow pots like the net baskets or azalea pots are recommended if not mounting them. You may want to add a bit of moss in with the mix. They need to retain moisture but not be soggy. Mine seems quite undemanding other than water.

[DeaC]

Have recently done repotting of these. I use s/m in shallow pots,usually plastic but clay also works if moisture can be met.Peanuts on the bottom and moss.Some of mine are in those plastic mesh baskets and will need to be taken out so that will be a tangled mess!Your pot looks a bit too big and could be shallower.I've even taken plastic pots and cut them down all around the side. Buckles are so nice!