Phrag. growth, best repotting strategy?

[shakkai]

Hi all, One of the new Phrags I got recently has its new growths quite high up out of the medium. After reading up on it and being told that these like to have their feet wet, I'm wondering how I do that if the growths are way above the medium in the pot?

The one where this is most apparent is Silver Rose which is:
{(besseae x schlimii) X [(besseae x schlimii) x besseae]}

Here is a photo with red arrows pointing to the base of each of the newer growths:



What do others do with these? And how do you keep the roots wet? Or is it enough that the roots at the bottom of the rhizome are wet?

[John D.]

bessea and some of its hybrids seem to be climbers. I have done it two ways. One is to repot in a tall pot putting the plant deep(so the base of the high growth is under the medium) so it can grow roots. After that happens on a later repot the lower growths can make a good division. I have also repoted and laid the plant down so the upper growth can be in contact with the medium and form roots.

[Lagoon]

ha ha don't these orchids have some attitudes
Shak, Great post by John, just don't worry about it, no cause for alarm. You'll find a way

I just keep spraying to set roots on the lil guys, then pottem up

[shakkai]

Thanks, John. I've been told to repot twice a year, as the medium tends to break down quite quickly in such wet conditions. I think I will try laying the plant down on this repot. Then I can keep my eye out for a nice tall pot to use when this happens again - as I'm sure it will!

[shakkai]

You know, Gloria, I almost missed your post... you must have been writing it just as I was writing mine!

I'm going to try laying it down so that the bottoms touch the medium and see if that encourages some roots growth. If I could find a good way to keep them wet enough, I'd mount them and let them grow up the mount!

[Ross]

Originally Posted by shakkai

If I could find a good way to keep them wet enough, I'd mount them and let them grow up the mount!

I thought that's what Orchidariums are for

[Dorothy]

I bought my phrags in Leca with reserviors and they are growing happily . I water when the level of water is low and overfill them with fresh filtered water so all the clay pellets are soaked and they are completely flushed of the stagnant water that is left. Their roots remain moist but not wet as they grow toward the water at the bottom of their pots (in this case, cups)

[shakkai]

Ross, If only my tank were big enough! I think this baby would outgrow it no time... still its something I'm thinking about. If I can figure out a workable solution, I might just give it a go! It certainly looks like it want to climb, just needs something that will retain enough water to encourage the roots to grow out on the upper growths.

D, Those roots look very happy! I think this is a great way to grow them. And I may end up doing this with Saint Peter, as its huge and I think this would be the best way to manage it without having to disturb it so often because of decomposing medium.

for sharing the photo!

[Dorothy]

Wise choice
and you are very welcome

[Greybeard]

Originally Posted by shakkai

.
If I can figure out a workable solution, I might just give it a go! It certainly looks like it want to climb, just needs something that will retain enough water to encourage the roots to grow out on the upper growths.

Hi Shannan, interesting dilemma. Could I suggest one other possible solution might be to bind a small wade of Sphagnum moss to where the root initials are appearing. Just keep it moist.This is a technique used to encourage aerial layering propagation. It might give the solution to your problem.
Regards
Jim