Sarcochilus Repots - September 2022

[@helenhawkins4054]

Amazing roots, interesting.😊👍

[@karlawoods2098]

Thank you and let us know how baby Sarc is doing!!

[@sharicochems6299]

Looks great. You and Roger are so rough with roots. As if roots roots just grow on trees. Loved your video.

[@lynnsmith9397]

Yes I agree we are but we did not start out that way, many many moons ago.

[@patriciasorchids3999]

Your Sarcochilus put mine to shame. So many lovely roots. Maybe if I take better care of them, they will bloom. Thanks for sharing.

[@lynnsmith9397]

Got a few troublesome ones Patricia but am pleased with the growth those have put on this year. Got the rest to do after the weekend, which again takes me into October, but there was no way I could do it in August with the heat that we had they would have just been under too much stress. Time will tell. They should grow really well cold as well.

[@christinenorton2510]

Hi Lynn, been waiting for this,I've just done mine last week. They look nowhere as good as yours. I don't think they were happy in my greenhouse this summer. Lost one, fingers crossed for the rest. Great video thanks.

[@lynnsmith9397]

Hi Christine, I have had a few go backwards this year but only lost one so far. Hartmanii was my own fault as I left it too long, just keeping fingers crossed it will pick up but I am not expecting it to. Those roots just go on forever and I hope next years flowering will be better than this years was. They were obviously happy in the greenhouse this summer mind you they should have been with what I did to keep them that way. Hope yours pick up nicely now repotted.

[@martinafaust4851]

Great repotting video! I put all of mine in larger pots because I couldn't fit the masses of roots back into a small pot. They do grow amazing root systems. Curious to see how your hartmanii is doing in a few months. Mine is doing a lot better after repotting it in spring. I hope for some flowers in spring.

[@lynnsmith9397]

Hi Martina, yes I agree it makes sense and I am hoping now they will be ok for 2 years without being disturbed. I have never seen roots like it apart from on Phragmipedium and Cympidiums. I do not think the Hartmanii will make it I should have got to it a lot lot sooner but we shall see, sometimes they can be forgiving. I am looking forward to them flowering in the Spring.

[@carolesykes7955]

Thanks Lynn, I've been waiting for this one. You say the bark is so good but I'm having trouble getting good stuff lately, especially large Orchiata. Peter hasn't had any for ages on his website. When you see him perhaps you can ask if he's getting any large stuff in the future although you're using medium sized for the Sarcos I think? Does he sell orchids online? I can't get to orchid shows, they're all so far away from West Wales 😢. Looking forward to seeing the flowers on them 😊

[@lynnsmith9397]

Hi Carole, there is a real problem with bark currently. Peter can no longer get in Orchiata bark and is now selling Portuguese bark which he assures us is just as good. A lot of people had gone off the Orchiata as they thought it had deteriorated. I liked it but there so many bits in it that were just rubbish bits of wood. Pine Bark is good and some places sell that. I have ordered a 15ltr bag of the Portuguese bark from him which he gets in 60 ltr bags - but he has to dry it all out and then re-bag it as it rots so at least you know that what he gets is dry. I am sure if you asked him he would do a 30ltr bag. I am just going to make do with the 15 ltr for now. Know what you mean about West Wales, before Toby became ill and Covid hit it I is now 4 years plus since we have been there and I cannot wait to get back there. We just have not been able to take Toby on holiday with us. The other two will be glad to get back there alas that will not happen for our Toby. He no longer orders imports orchids to sell he had some in June at Malvern but he was selling those for someone from Taiwan who could not come over himself.

[@jeanpierreviergever1417]

Thanks! Reminded me I need to repot mine as well. Thinking about mixing bark with pumice or large perlite. I repotted one in a mix with bark and small rhinestones and that one did great. Growing in the living room. Perhaps thatis different than the greenhouse.

[@lynnsmith9397]

Hi Jean Pierre I use that mix with Dendrobiums and also Masdevallias and Draculas that have much fleshier leaves - and for the Massie’s and Draculas I also put chopped up sphagnum and a little charcoal in there as well. I left the Sarcochilus as they were as they have only been grown in medium bark at the nursery so just carried on with it. It works really well. I think either way would work whether indoors our in the greenhouse.

[@jeanpierreviergever1417]

@@lynnsmith9397 Thanks Lynn for taking the time to respond. Will try with Dendrobiums as well.