Phrag bessese flavum stolons

[suzyquec]

I purchased this Phrag besseae from Tony at letstalkplants on EBay. I received it yesterday, but I have never had a Phrag with such extensive stalons (runners). Help, what do I do with these as I want to repot? A link to a photo is below.

Thank you
Susan

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z371/suzyquec/Phrag bessese flavum_zpsuigyqaqk.jpg

 

[theorchidzone]

Actually many besseae have much longer stolons. It just looks like a large plant. The stolon lengths are quite reasonable to deal with.
I would pot it in a shallow pan type pot. Once the growths get roots, you can divide it into many plants.
A riskier approach that also works most times is to chop it up now and wait for roots on the various divisions. The divisions usually wilt for a while but eventually recover when new roots form.
JC

 

[suzyquec]

Thank you so much for the advice and I will repot in a shallow pan type per your suggestion. I can't wait to see it bloom.

Susan

 

[NYEric]

I would put them in a deep pot with a bunch of sphagnum around the stolons, like this. It is becoming the popular way to handle stolonous besseae.

http://www.slippertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10321&highlight=besseae+Wossen

 

[suzyquec]

Eric

Thank you-I love the picture. Now I have to decide which method, I like the idea of the sphagnum as it would keep them moist. Do you know if the sphagnum is only around the stolons and the balance of the mixture is traditional orichiata etc.

Susan

 

[NYEric]

Yes, I use normal mix at bottom with sphagnum under the stolons. Olaf said that was only for a show but the sphagnum is green which I believe means it was left there for a while.

 

[suzyquec]

Eric

Thank you again. I will post more as they progress.

Susan

 

[eggshells]

John M. mentioned before to pot it in a shallow pot. I don't have this species so I cant comment on my personal experience.

 

[NYEric]

The stolons grow up, not sideways like Mexipedium xeropetalum.

 

[abax]

Air layering is another idea I use occasionally and works
quite well without taking the extra space for another pot.
I usually use air layering for besseae stolons.

 

[NYEric]

a bunch of sphag is the same as air layering.

 

[suzyquec]

Thank you for all of the wonderful advice. I will repot this weekend using Eric's suggestions and post a new photo.

Susan

 

[suzyquec]

Below is a photo of the besseae re-potted with the sphagnum around the stolons. Just as a point of interest when I removed the orchid from its original pot there were actually 2 plants one by it self with a new growth and then the one with the stolons. I potted the one with the stolons per Eric's suggestion and I potted the additional plant in an 3" aircone pot with traditional orchiata mix.

 

[NYEric]

OK, good luck.
BTW, are you attaching photos here directly? There is a preferred way, that doesn't use up bandwidth.

 

[suzyquec]

Yes-if you know a better way I am all for it. Thanks

 

[NYEric]

There is a sticky suggestion on how to put phoots here, it is better to use a 2nd party host like FLkR or Photobucket, that way our site only has links and not Mega/Giga- bytes of photos here.

 

[suzyquec]

Eric

Got it-thank you as always for your help.

Susan

 

[NYEric]

You are welcome.