What is your worst task or repot experience?

[SADE2020]

I used to love to repot; planning the repot was the best, but time goes by and sometimes reppoting ends off annoying me and I admit I have lot of plants in waiting list. However, when I finally start to work I enjoy the end result and I feel better.

Among all the orchids, the small root plants, like Oncy and Miltonia for me are the worst.

Here today job, getting these roots clean has been the worst but is done.

What is the repotting that really annoys you or what's the worst task within the orchid-growing hobby?

[Roberta]

Wow, you really clean those roots! I admit that I am not so thorough.... I wash them off with a hose, what comes easily washes away,. whatever is left just goes back onto the pot. What I dread is dealing with a big, overgrown Cymbidium. Sometimes I have to cut the pot to get it out. Then, wash with the hose on all the way, blast with a stream of water. Then maybe get a knife to cut the rhizome enough to open it up so that can clean out the old pseudobulbs in the middle and get rid of the worst of the old roots. I'm getting too old for all that manual labor!

[estación seca]

I strongly recommend you not clean roots like that. It harms the plant. Just shake off what comes off.

[SADE2020]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I strongly recommend you not clean roots like that. It harms the plant. Just shake off what comes off.

The deep cleaning is for culture conversion. To SH

---------- Post added at 01:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:13 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Ray

My worst orchid-related task ever was clearing out an entire greenhouse of previously frozen, dead and rotting plants after a heater failure.

I bet it was a nightmare...poor you!

---------- Post added at 01:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:14 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

Wow, you really clean those roots! I admit that I am not so thorough.... I wash them off with a hose, what comes easily washes away,. whatever is left just goes back onto the pot. What I dread is dealing with a big, overgrown Cymbidium. Sometimes I have to cut the pot to get it out. Then, wash with the hose on all the way, blast with a stream of water. Then maybe get a knife to cut the rhizome enough to open it up so that can clean out the old pseudobulbs in the middle and get rid of the worst of the old roots. I'm getting too old for all that manual labor!

Omg I hate that too
I have 6 cym waiting for repot....not enthusiastic about that

[Ray]

My worst orchid-related task ever was clearing out an entire greenhouse of previously frozen, dead and rotting plants after a heater failure.

[RJSquirrel]

I remember that too Ray it was an event to be sure

[rbarata]

My worst task is to water all my plants before I go on holidays...and find someone willing to accept all the different requirements of each plant...and act according my instructions.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by rbarata

My worst task is to water all my plants before I go on holidays...and find someone willing to accept all the different requirements of each plant...and act according my instructions.

Not that it’s an easy task, but you might start figuring out how to adjust your individual plants’ containers and media so that they can all be treated the same. Not only does that simplify your plants sitter’s job, it gives you more peace of mind while away, and simplifies your own care, as well.

My small collection now consists of plants in S/H, and plants in LECA/Rock Wool mixes of varying ratios. When I go away, they get watered on the deck using a lawn sprinkler and timer, every other day.

[SADE2020]

Originally Posted by Ray

Not that it’s an easy task, but you might start figuring out how to adjust your individual plants’ containers and media so that they can all be treated the same. Not only does that simplify your plants sitter’s job, it gives you more peace of mind while away, and simplifies your own care, as well.

My small collection now consists of plants in S/H, and plants in LECA/Rock Wool mixes of varying ratios. When I go away, they get watered on the deck using a lawn sprinkler and timer, every other day.

Is that upside down or something?

I agreed on 1 setup for the same watering, but I am still dealing with various cultures at the time.

---------- Post added at 01:07 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:05 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Clawhammer

I employ a "dot system" for watering. I have waterproof colored dot stickers:

Green - Every day
Red - Every other day
Yellow - Every 3 days
Orange - Every 4 days
Blue - Every 5 days
Black - Every week

I have a dot on all my trays, and sometimes on particular plants if they deviate from the rest of the plants on the tray. I set my google calendar to tell me (or my caretaker) which colors to water each day. During the winter I just add a day to each dot to decrease water. I couldn't handle 500 plants or going on vacation without this in place..

Today is green-red-orange, need to get to watering!

This is clever!!!!

[Clawhammer]

I have plants that are firmly rooted to their trays and their neighbors. I really hate removing them from the spot that they have grown into for 2-3 years in order to repot. I basically have to cut them out.

I love repotting though.