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All my plants are sold and shipped as dry root plants. Do not be Alarmed if your roots look dried up or dead. The roots are simply dormant and in need of water. This is the safest way to deliver the plant to you without shock or rotting. When you receive your plant you should pot it as soon as possible. You can review my potting and planting recommendations listed above when you click on the words 'planting and care'.
When you receive your plants you should prepare the appropriate potting medium and pot as soon as possible.
When you are ready to pot the plant, soak the roots for 3 or 4 minutes in water.
Before you pot the plant, allow the roots to dry (15 minutes) prior to potting the plant into the medium. Simply follow your regular watering cycle and the plant will acclimate to the new environment. New roots will form after time and the plant will choose the best roots to use in the future. Some roots may be abandoned by the plant. Do not be alarmed, this is a normal process for an orchid plant.
If you receive your plants and need some time to prepare the pot and medium, simply prop your plants in a normal upright position in a shaded and warm area and water the plants with a mist regularly. Make sure the plant has air circulation both around the roots and the body of the plant. Also make sure the roots and plant dry completely between watering to avoid water logging or wet rot. Make sure the plant is never in the direct sunlight.
Below are some examples of dry root plants
  
  
  
  
For survival, the orchid plant needs to have 1 or more undamaged root. The pictures above show plants prior to being properly trimmed and prepared for shipping. Prior to shipping, we will trim the roots and remove all the older and unused roots on the plant. We also prepare the plant in the same way you prepare a plant for repotting as that is basically what we are doing when we send it to you.
Once prepared, we dip the plants first into Fungicide and then allow the plant to dry completely. 1 day later we then treat the plants with insecticide to kill any insects that may be present. Then again we allow the plant to dry for 2 days. After we have completed that process, we inspect the plants and insure its health. The plant is then boxed up and shipped out to you ready for its new home!
Remember that orchids will need different care techniques depending on where you live and your weather conditions. The internet has a wealth of information to help you learn what is best for your area and species! You can also visit your local orchid shop or where ever orchids are sold around you and find out the best ways to grow for your area.
I have been asked a number of times how to pot plants. I have some information provided at the bottom of the link above that may help you. Look for the words 'planting and care' and click it. Below I have taken the liberty of showing how I plant my Cattleya divisions. Remember that I am in a tropical environment and I can use clay pots as my temperatures do not drop below 55 degrees. If you have low temperatures in your area I suggest you use plastic or wood pots to avoid cold roots! The roots of orchids do not like to be cold and clay pots absorb cold quickly!
Potting a Typical Cattleya Division
First look at your plant. Cattleya plants come in many sizes. Sizes are not defined by BLC,C,LC or Other details provided in its name. Each crossing produces widely changing sizes of adult plants and flowers. Below is a typical plant we can use for example.
Your plant should be ready when you receive it for planting and will look something like the above, although the root bundle can very greatly from just a few roots to many depending on variety and prior growth.
Next is your pot. I usually use a 5 inch pot, but sometimes larger. I am told a good rule of thumb is to use a pot size equal to 50% of the bare root length for adult divisions. This pot is ok, but normally I will have more side holes in my pots to allow for more air circulation so the water will drain quickly and the roots have a good chance to dry out between watering.
Next I find some tie wraps and a strong stick (I am using a strip of bamboo in the picture). I jam the stick in the pot as shown above and then use the tie wraps to secure the plant to the stick. Sometimes I use 2 sticks and position them as needed to properly secure the plant. You do not want the plant to be in the bottom of the pot at this time. You want the plant suspended in the pot high enough so that most of the root bundle is not touching the pot bottom.
Next I fill the pot to the level of the roots so the plant is sitting securely on top of the medium. You can us many types of medium, I use non-organic burnt wood (Charcoal from the fire place). There are a number of pre-packaged orchid mixes available at your local garden center. You can also use decorative bark used for the yard if you need a large quantity of medium. You will need to figure out what is best for your area. The most important item I look for is a medium that will not hold moisture. I want the water to run out quickly to allow the roots to dry.
Finally I put a layer of Natural Organic Sphagnum Moss on top of the medium. I prefer Ultra-Gro out of New Zealand myself. You can use any that is available in your local market. The layer should not smoother the plant. It should be no more than 1/2 inch thick as you must allow the plant to breath!
Do you think your roots are dead? Maybe they are? Below is a picture of a plant that had its roots die. This plant was lost in the mail for 3 weeks and came back to me at the greenhouse. The plant rejected all its roots and formed new roots all while still in the box. Notice the new growth and new roots created by the plant!
This plant was potted about 2 days after this picture and it flowered for me 2 months later. It is happy and continues to grow today.
I hope this information is useful for you! Make sure you check your local area for orchid experts! Most of the time they are excited to share knowledge with you and can provide you more useful information than we can about your local environment!
Thanks for checking us out!
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