So I'm going to give this S/H thing a try...

[ChasWG]

So if I am planning on repotting a Dendro. into S/H (just ordered some stuff from Ray) and it's coming out of bark, what should I do to try and make this transition easier on the plant? I think this Dendrobium Norma Jackson x Den. 'Pink Sunshine' will make a good candidate for S/H culture. I think it has been drying out too much in the bark. Is there something I should look for before repotting into S/H?

Thanks!

[Zoi2]

Wait for new growth to appear before going into S/H.
Base the pot size on the size of the roots.
Make sure you clean the prime agra before using it.
Joann

[ChasWG]

The whole reason I want to try S/H is because this poor plant hasn't done any kind of growing at all since I got it about 3 months ago. Nothing at all. Now is it's time to be growing, but I see nothing happening. And from what I understand about this Dend. it likes to be evenly moist except for a month or so in the winter. I have had no other luck with this one so this is why I want to try this.

[Zoi2]

Well then go for it.
I would suggest the following:
1. make sure the prime agra is clean.
2. pre soak the prime agra in the kln solution 24 hrs.
3. clean ALL dead and excess plant matter from the roots as well as all prior media.
4. soak the den in kln solution to soak off the old media.
5. plant it and use the kln as the first watering.

I have also done this to a few plants that were not doing anything in the bark media. I have had a pretty good success ratio, but you need to watch them. The old roots will rot so keep the plant clean. It usually takes a couple of weeks for the new roots to start growning. The wonderful thing about s/h is that you can pluck the plant out, inspect roots and pop it back in the pot with no stress to the plant and it only takes a few minutes and the prime agra can be boiled to clean it to reuse at another time.
Joann

[billc]

Joann is correct. Wait until you have new roots growing until moving to s/h. S/H is not a magic cure for the plants ills. It works well if the culture is already good. If you move it now it will probably just sit there and do nothing, or get worse. Try repotting it in your normal mix and get the roots growing first.
Oh , and thanks for the FC readings on your T5's

Bill

[ChasWG]

I think I might pop the Dend. out of it's pot to see what's going on down there. It's in a terra cotta pot so I can't see what's going on in root world. Maybe it has new root growth, maybe not, but I think that might help me decide what to do with this one.

Yeah, the FC readings on that T5 unit weren't the greatest. The darn thing has only really bumped the heat up more than the light readings.

[camille1585]

I agree, it's better to switch when there is new root growth. Root growth means entirely new roots, not simply green growing tips. Usually this means that the best time for the transfer is when there are new growths appearing.

[quiltergal]

I concur. Wait for brand new root growth otherwise this will be a stressful experience for you and the plant! Ask me how I know!! The reason you really should wait for new roots it you will need something to take over the existing root mass that is going to rot. Without new roots to take over the plant will be seriously stressed.

[ChasWG]

I unpotted it today and looked at the roots. They look great, no nasty dead ones. Lots of long white ones! I think I was keeping it too dry and that's why it was slowing down and not growing at all. It's been a couple days since I asked the question and then started to water it a bit more. This evening the three leaves that were starting to wrinkle are now looking better. The one that was yellow is still nasty looking and I'm sure it'll drop off.

So I'm waiting for my package of S/H products from Ray. In the mean time I'll keep watering this plant a little more and try to keep the humidity up as much as I can.