Need advice

[Sherry H]

On what to do w this huge esquirolei

 

[Sherry H]

This is a very large healthy paph. Vietnamese. New at this Pham/phrag type of orchid.

Do I split it up? Lots of new growth

 

[CarlG]

Does it flower well? Keep it big, it'll look great.

When repotting a big plant, in a big pot, one problem that can occur is that the interior of the compost may stay too dry. You can take a smaller pot, and invert it in the bottom of the larger to eliminate the dead space in the center; perhaps with extra holes punched in the small pot for extra air.

 

[Sherry H]

New plant. Good advice for reporting!

 

[Ray]

When repotting a big plant, in a big pot, one problem that can occur is that the interior of the compost may stay too dry. You can take a smaller pot, and invert it in the bottom of the larger to eliminate the dead space in the center; perhaps with extra holes punched in the small pot for extra air.

Ive never had that issue - just the opposite, in fact; the middle of the root mass ends up being too soppy. I avoid that by inverting a net pot in the center of the large flower pot before adding the plant and potting medium.

 

[southernbelle]

Ray, I do this for catts over 6”. Do you do it for Paphs and phrags as well?

 

[CarlG]

Ive never had that issue - just the opposite, in fact; the middle of the root mass ends up being too soppy. I avoid that by inverting a net pot in the center of the large flower pot before adding the plant and potting medium.

That's what I meant. Too wet, not too dry.

 

[Guldal]

IMHO it would be sacrilege to divide a plant that had reached or are approaching specimen size!

 

[Sherry H]

That’s why I wanted help! Thank u!

 

[Ozpaph]

does it flower?

 

[NYEric]

I have a couple gigantic species that never or rarely flower. Thank goodness I like house plants. Good luck.

 

[southernbelle]

Ray, I do this (net pot upside down in center) for catts over 6”. Do you do it for Paphs and phrags as well?

 

[Ray]

Ray, I do this (net pot upside down in center) for catts over 6”. Do you do it for Paphs and phrags as well?

No. I grow all of my slippers in semi-hydroponics.