Orchidomania Presents: Re-potting the Monster Dendrobium Aggregatum

As requested I did the re-potting for the monstrous Dendrobium aggregatum on film. It was an arduous project LOL. I tried to put in details about how I normally do this, although this time it was much more intense simply because of the size of the plant. And yes I am wearing a Snoopy shirt while handing a power tool :)

[blancaacosta]

Like a balloon they just blow up. It's amazing how an orchid expands when you remove it from the pot and it certainly won't fit back into its old pot. Great video, I enjoyed, even the dog enjoyed it. He slept with one eye opened. lol.

[ResQuetzal]

What timing! My aggregatum just opened flowers yesterday!
That's quite the repot! I think choosing a wide shallow pot was the right choice. This one definitely needs good drainage so your media choice is smart. Those older PBs always look wrinkled, even after a good watering. The new roots are a sure sign that the plant is happy.
My aggregatum came mounted and I didn't want to disturb the plant so I took the whole mount and put it in a clay pot with large sponge rock. My biggest gripe on its growth habit is how the pseudobulbs seem to grow in the spaces with the most resistance. So they come out really pushing against the clay pot, not in the open spaces. That's probably why this orchid and its close cousin jeckinsii are grown mounted due to their bizarre growth habit.
Also not dividing it is really the best choice. From personal experience, the orchid produces 3-6 new pseudobulbs per year, but not all may produce spikes. Overall, this dendrobium can take very bright light, ESP in winter before the spikes emerge. I'm thinking of growing it outside this summer. I really feel it needs a temperature differential between summer and winter to initiate spikes.
Great video! I hope Giovanni was having a good dream!

[marygorchidsmore]

You did a really good job on your den.aggregatum ! I have a little hybrid of this species with d.jenkenci, I think I will be doing the same for repotting. Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend.

[trixiesorchids]

Ha! Giovanni dreaming made me chuckle. Good job on that repot! Plant is so healthy. You did the right thing by not diving it. I split mine last year and I'm still regretting it because neither plant bloomed this year. 😥

[victoriabrownfrank]

You can also use a soldering iron they're very cheap to put holes in anything that's plastic. Just make sure you do not breathe the fumes.

[k]

Love the narration as you do your thing. Good job reporting - I would not have done it any different. Happy growing and thanks for sharing!

[summerrobinson]

Snoopy...drills...Earl Grey...these are a few of my favorite things. Gr8 pot choice, hope you put the slightly wider one aside for about 6 months from now ;-) BTW, when using plastic pots I heat up a Phillips screwdriver really well to get nice smooth holes (if it matters) although the fumes from the various plastics...well I'm not sure if it's safe... I may have gotten high a time or two, lol.

[Orchideya]

Well done! It looks comfy in that bowl....

[lynnbrooks]

Could you maybe have divided into 2 and repotted them together, that would have given more lead options with the new growth?

[sfchai]

Great tutorial .. lucky i still manage to see this .. GOOD JOB 👍

[poppyaustin]

Well done! But I wouldn't use sphagnum in this case, it will degrade very quickly, especially that bowl has got only 4 holes and all are beneath of it.

[GoldenArrow]

Good job.

Please make many more lovely video

[TomNavesink]

The blooms don’t last very long. Why not wait until it was done before reporting?

[lynnbrooks]

Do you ever find yourself drinking bits of orchid and media? I do all the time, I’m extra organic now.

[lynnbrooks]

Hah! I have drilled into my kitchen counter before now. These days I use a cutting board under the pot. Just in case.

[spontina]

Nothing says love like FF gloves, tea and probes. And you did it all without lube. Balls made of clay and hole drilling.

[rosemeirechacondeoliveira]

Muito bom seu trabalho.Eu tenho uma planta dessa mas ela está bem pequena e me parece que demora muito pra crescer mas estou cuidando com cuidado.bjs

[calimaxtla]

Wait. Did you have the pot sitting in another pot with water? Is that how you usually have it or just watering day?

[kimberlymorgan]

What kind of potting media do you use for the Dendrobium aggregatum?