Need suggestions on how to mount this large Den antennatum, please!

[susiep]

I have had this Den antennatum for many years and it has gotten out of hand. I cannot remove it from this basket so the old basket needs to be part of the new mount. I took a cutting off of it a couple years ago and it still only has a couple roots. (Very small delicate roots) So it definitely doesn't like change. Otherwise it is very hardy and can even handle the full sun in south Florida. Earlier this year I just turned the basket sideways and it seems happier now. The leaves were lighter, but I recently moved it out of the sun to prevent burning of the canes (I had never seen that before). It has been blooming continuously for over a year, maybe 2. I would like to groom it up a bit and eventually enter it for show. Any suggestions?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Wow...

Beautiful.

Don't know what to tell you.

Nice plant.

[Leisurely]

What is generally recommended with basket culture is to simply put the plant in a larger basket. It should work in your case but I think if I were to do that I would use teak or the heavy PVC type plastic that will last for many years to come with no concern for repotting.

The plant, by the way is a beauty. I have one called Den. Samarai that is antennatum x atroviolaceum but it produces quite large canes.

[natasha]

wow, that is such a great plant! gook luck in mounting it... i have no idea!

[nancy]

HI Susan -
Your plant is simply breathtaking! You *are* sure there's a basket under there?
At shows, I have seen big wheels of osmunda with and without pot-shaped holes in the center.
Another possibility is just wire it into a bigger basket and add some bark and charcoal chunks around it. You will probably want to leave it on its side.
It sure is a beauty.
Regards - Nancy
p.s. I think it would kick all the other plants' butts at a show!

[cb977]

Susie, that is just stunning!!!

If it's ever blooming when there's an orchid judging happening, you should bring this one in for sure!

I would just put this basket into a larger basket, wire it down or put some big chunks of "something" in the extra space of the larger one. It would look great in one of the new white baskets now available.

Thanks for sharing

[Lorraine]

Hi Susie, Don't know how I missed this post??? That den is beautuful!! Way to grow!! You need to get that baby to be judged.

[nenella]

I second Lorraine! Have you decided what your potting it in yet? It's a real cascade of flowers! absolutely stunning!

[V_coerulea]

There's no need to do anything with the plant. It's telling you it's happy. You could probably cut off some of the container especially on the older side of the plant. Contrive some sort of show container for judging but I wouldn't leave it in there. Don't kill it with kindness and overworking a great plant.