Should I repot this Dendrobium

[Acharn]

After a lapse of three or four years, I've renewed my interest in orchids. I live in Thailand so there are lots of orchids, but the most common type are Dendrobiums, and almost all are hybrids. My niece-in-law (the girl who married my nephew) recently gave me some that for some reason she didn't want. Three of them are like the one I'm picturing here -- completely overgrowing the pot.

The thing is, they seem to be thriving the way they are. All three have new growth, and one is blooming as well. I know I don't want to mess with the one that's blooming, but the other two have new canes that are about three inches long.

I'd like to ask what I should do. Given that they are currently just wedged in their pots with two or three large chunks of coconut husk, do they really need to be potted?

[vjo]

If you were living here (or anywhere not tropical) I would re pot them, it is almost as if they are mounted in a pot. They are doing really well just as they are. Did your niece in law give you any tips on taking care of it? It looks as if she knows what she was doing as they seem to be doing great....Jean

[james mickelso]

They look like they are very healthy indeed. With all those roots growing outside the pot, I would grow like a vanda. Just water every day. They grow like weeds in Thailand. No need to repot it.

[Acharn]

Yes, my niece has a green thumb. My late wife's younger sister and her husband own a small building supplies company, and she's set up her own landscaping/nursery business alongside them. She gave me the plants about six weeks ago, so I guess their current state is mostly her doing.

I've been misting them every day and immersing them once or twice a week. Guess I'll leave them as they are unless I see some reason to change. It's pretty common here to see orchids growing just tied to the trunk of a tree, no pot at all.

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[vjo]

Soooo jealous of your weather and the opportunity to grow them outside all year long, it must be wonderful....Jean

[Acharn]

Originally Posted by vjo

Soooo jealous of your weather and the opportunity to grow them outside all year long, it must be wonderful....Jean

LOL! I grew up in Ohio and Michigan. When I was 14 or 15 I suddenly realized that I wasn't satisfied with my comfortable, middle-class, suburban life and wanted to live in an exotic country with beautiful temples and women. i didn't know where it was, but that was my dream. then, after my tour in Vietnam, I was sent to Thailand. Dream come true. I confess I'm a little anxious about our hot season this year -- comes in April and May. Last year we had several days when it went over 42C (108F) and I gound myself feeling dizzy, but I'd rather have that than the cold weather.