Laelia anceps - Dry sheath

[rbarata]

Yes, that's that kind of solution I was thinking. Summer here is frequently windy and this pot is currently so unbalanced that it won't stand even light winds.
As you might remember I am considering using a rectangular clay pot. It's heavy and maybe the roots outside of the pot can acclimatize to the medium during spring and summer.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Yes, that's that kind of solution I was thinking. Summer here is frequently windy and this pot is currently so unbalanced that it won't stand even light winds.
As you might remember I am considering using a rectangular clay pot. It's heavy and maybe the roots outside of the pot can acclimatize to the medium during spring and summer.

That would work. In fact,lately I have been using the "drop pot" approach with most of the Catts I acquire, unless I can see that it is actively rooting. I figure they will climb out of whatever they are in, new roots go into the new medium, and I don't have to disrupt anything at all, or worry if it is the right time. Eventually the old part (in the pot) will die off anyway (and can be easily removed), the new part is in the new medium, and the plant has no transition to deal with.

[rbarata]

I think next week I'll put the anceps outside to start acclimatisation.
Temps are starting to rise to minimums above 10 and max above 20 ºC(50 - 68 F). Plenty of sun with occasional showers.

[rbarata]

Originally Posted by rbarata

I think next week I'll put the anceps outside to start acclimatisation.
Temps are starting to rise to minimums above 10 and max above 20 ºC(50 - 68 F). Plenty of sun with occasional showers.

Done! Temps are now rising to something like above 25ºC (upper 70's/low 80's F) and mins above 10ºC (low 50's).
Put it inside the clay pot with stones just to prevent any tip over by the wind. Next fall I will repot it in this clay pot to allow the rizhome to grow freely.

This is a south balcony without any noticeable shadows so it gets full sun almost all day. Let's see if it can tolerate our summer sun.

[Roberta]

Should work. You could fill in with some coarse bark, to give new roots something organic to cling to. Watch for sunburn, but once it acclimates, the strong sun should be no problem. L. anceps is tough!

[rbarata]

It has a lot of roots comming out by the drain holes and I'm not sure if I can take it out of the pot without damage them.
What do you think about applying now the solution we've talked before of putting the pot and all inside the medium?

Its root system at the moment consists of the roots inside the pot (maybe 4 or 5 are cooming out bt the bottom) and 3 big roots growing out clinging around half of the pot perimeter.

[Roberta]

Don't even try to take it out of the pot... just drop the whole thing into the big clay pot,fill in around it in the big container using large bark mostly to hold the plant and pot in place. Let it run wild... If there is a clear area on the plastic pot where you won't hit roots, you could cut down the side just to give another route for the roots, but really not necessary.

[rbarata]

I thought about cutting extra "holes" in the pot to create ways for the roots to go out but I'm not sure if I cut anything more than the pot.
I think I'll do it but I won't fill, for now, the clay pot up to the edge of the plastic pot...just enough to hold it in place.
When the time comes to repot it, I'll keep the plastic pot inside and then fill it up.
Sound a good plan...

[Roberta]

It might be easier to just cut the side of the pot from top to bottom, on the side away from the growth, which reduces the chance of hitting good roots. Or, just save yourself the trouble, all the new roots will find their way over the top of the plastic pot and out, if they aren't out already. Keep it simple...

[rbarata]

My last post, now that I'm reading it was somewhat confused about cutting the pot...what I wanted to say was that I won't cut it.
I'll fill it half way up with bark, cork and leca (that's the mix I made for the last repot.