I have a Phrag Randy McDonald with two different growths. The biggest usually flower around Christmas, and the last flowering was very beautiful. This growth seems very strong.
http://usera.imagecave.com/Milda/Phragmipedium/phrag_helenepopovxsedenii0001-copy.jpg

The second growth has started to grow a spike in March this year (last year I think it was in June). Both years the spike stopped growing when it reached the hight of about 15 cm. Nothing happened to the bud, but after a couple of month, I could see that it had rotten. What is happening? Now this growth is putting up two new growths, but I am afraid it don't have strength enough. What shall I do? I am going to repot this Phrag because the other growth is climbing. I have heard that Phrags like small pots, is that right? Would the plant like to have a vacation in the garden?

Milda

A spike will always stop growing when it has run out of flower buds (one that has been blooming for a while). If it stops and rots before it blooms, that usually means that something stressed the plant. Perhaps the roots got too dry for too long, or (unlikely) the roots are rotten. Rapid changes in temperature might do the same thing.

As to the other questions... Don't worry about the ability of the plant to start new growths. The more the better. Now is a good time to repot. It is always a good time to repot... Almost all orchids like small pots, pick one that fits the roots, regardless of how silly it looks. It may or may not like a trip out to the garden. I usually recommend against that practice, since it is a lot harder to control the environment out there. If the plant is growing well indoors, let it be.

It rots before it blooms, and it's the second time it does the same thing.

Milda

Not to be off topic but that's a really beautiful spike and a wonderful combination of pastels. Good Growing Milda!

Milda
What's your temperature and humidity at the plant? You may need more humidity and higher temps to keep the buds from blasting.

Not to be off topic but that's a really beautiful spike and a wonderful combination of pastels. Good Growing Milda!
Thank you Ernie! Yes, the strong growth produces many beautiful flowers.

You may need more humidity and higher temps to keep the buds from blasting.
I have rised temperature and humidity this spring, so I don't think that's the problem. I have started to wonder if it could be caused by moving the plant. I remember that the new growth almost got sunburned this spring, so I moved the plant to another window. What do you think?

Milda

It would be good if you could supply numbers for your growing conditions.


A drop in light levels could also cause bud blast too.

Wow that is awesome! It will eventually turn brown and remove itslef if you are patient enough.

it looks great though :clap2:

Sorry I didn't read that bottom part can't edit now. doh! I agree with Littlefrog, something must have stressed it out.

I have rised temperature and humidity this spring, so I don't think that's the problem. I have started to wonder if it could be caused by moving the plant. I remember that the new growth almost got sunburned this spring, so I moved the plant to another window. What do you think?

Yes, changing degree of exposure or even orientation to the light is common for stressing out a spike enough to blast in my opinion. If something appears to be burning like that one was, add another sheer to lower the light levels instead of moving it IF it's in spike. I've found my plants are creatures of habit just like I am and seriously frown on change.

Ok, next time it's in spike, I will be very careful! And there might come two spikes since two new groths are on their way. But there is another problem. I took the plant out of the pot, and it's roots, roots and only roots :shock: In fact all the roots look good, so that is a good thing. But I need to seperate the two old growths because one of them have a new growth 5 cm above "pot level". I don't like cutting healthy roots, but it seems like I have to...........

Milda

I would say wait until the others can comment before you do anything drastic?

Milda, that is a natural way for some phrags to grow. It will create roots that will travel down into the media if it needs it. I would repot it, and leave it as one plant. But that is my 2 cents worth.

Hello, I would recommend against dividing the plant or [ever] cutting off any healthy roots. When you repot it, you can bury the old growths in the mix to bring the new growth down to pot level. If left above the mix, it is likely the new growth will attempt to send out roots, but they will dry up and stop growing before they ever reach the pot. This may lead to the death of the old growths due to excessive moisture at their base, but I have found it to be worth it in the long run because of the dramatic root growth that ensues. Just my two cents...

--Stephen

I would put a moist ball of sphag under the rootless growth and wait until it grows some roots before cutting anything.

Decided to take some photos.
Here is the plant:
http://usera.imagecave.com/Milda/DSC00601.JPG

And yes, Ernie, I already have a moist ball of sphag wrapped in a nylon stocking :wink:
http://usera.imagecave.com/Milda/DSC00602.JPG

Here is "the weak" growth with two new ones comming.
http://usera.imagecave.com/Milda/DSC00603.JPG

And as you can see, here is a lot of roots.........
http://usera.imagecave.com/Milda/DSC00604.JPG

Milda

Milda, if I were you I would repot the plant into a larger pot.

Milda, I agree w/ Peter. It cracked the pot? The roots are out of control, looks happy to me, but I would repot also, trying to get as much old media out as possible.

Now whether to divide or not? Well, I would follow the plant's lead. Is there any chance it is so pot bound it would *benefit* from a division? Just don't know, myself....:confused:

Great thread!!

I had to cut the pot, couldn't get it of. It's almost impossible to get anything of what is left of the old media out. I think it is rockwool, so maybe it doesn't matter if it remains...
Seems impossible to divide the plant and repot it (that was my plan) So maybe I just have to find a bigger pot and let it grow the way it will?!

Milda

Yeah upgrade one pot size, and try to loosen the roots, don't be afriad to get mean with them. Then repot and add new media. That is a well grown plant! Give me roots over flowers anyday! Well, maybe not any day. :lol:

Milda - I agree w/ Tadd to some extent - yeah, you can not mess with it, and just pot up, but also, don't be afraid to try to loosen the roots some - I find soaking and squeezing from many directions helps a great deal. It takes a lot of patience. The first time I divided a plant, a paph, I thought I would die of frustration and agony, thank god for good coaching! I finally had to ensnare (almost literally!) two neighbor girls to hold each half as I untangled the remaining roots. I think I only broke a half dozen out of like, a bazillion (!!) but it took great patience and care. At any rate, both divs are doing great and well established now. And that was a Paph - Phrag roots seem a bit more sturdy to me... So, someti, your plant looks super healthy, despite the "weak" growths.

I still wonder if part of their "weakness" could be due to too small a pot. :confused:

Good luck!!!

Ok, I decided to divide the plant..... So before having breakfast I started! And guess what, I succeded :-dance:

http://usera.imagecave.com/Milda/DSC00606.JPG

It was kind of difficult in the beginning, but I didn't damage too many roots. Not much compost left!! The interesting thing is that the growth that has been the weakest, had twice as many roots as the other one! I had to cut one root that seemed to link from the strong plant to the weaker plant. Kind of strange. Well, I put them back in a new bigger pot.

But I discovered a tiny, small growth at an old growth. Any chance for that the plant would develop this? I might have done something wrong :embarass: I cut this old growth from the growth with the two new ones.
At the photo you can see the new one to the left, next to it is the one who had the spike wich wouldn't bloom, then there is the one with that tiny, small thing, and at last the oldest which has started to rot.
http://usera.imagecave.com/Milda/DSC00608.JPG

:D Milda :D

Milda, yes older growths can still produce new baby shoots. Good job dividing the plant and now you have 2! Excellent! :clap2:

Pot it up and it should be fine. Congrats on the big divide, and good job with the roots! :-dance: :Party: :clap:

That's fine, looks like you did a great job!! (ha! Testing my skills at reading Norwegian - I used to know a little loooong ago.)
I'm going to post some more dividing pics, because I think it is helpful to people who haven't done it before.

Hi Heather!
Yes, I am really proud of my self :-dance: Now the plant is in three parts, but together in one rather big pot. At the moment I don't have room for more pots (are going to move, and moving plants is not the most easy thing to do!)
Heather, do your forfathers come from Norway? Could be related, you never know :wink: I have many relatives "over there", mainly in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Bet you understand this: Tusen takk! "Tusen takk" for giving me advices about dividing my Phrag :D

Milda

Hi Heather!
Heather, do your forfathers come from Norway? Could be related, you never know :wink: I have many relatives "over there", mainly in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Bet you understand this: Tusen takk! "Tusen takk" for giving me advices about dividing my Phrag :D

Milda
You should be proud, Milda, dividing your first plant is not easy and is SUPER scary!!

I understand more Norwegian than I speak. No, my relatives are mostly from Wales, Scotland (Isle of Skye) and Nova Scotia. I had a crush on someone in high school who was from Norway, and I learned a little then. :embarrassed:

Yes, I understand, but can't recall "you're welcome!" :D

"Vær så god", Heather! :D (Now your mind can rest...!)
Love can do exceptional things to you! You know, there are plenty of goodlooking Norwegian men :poke: nothing to be ashamed of :D

Milda

Ja, gut, takk Milda!!

(Did I get any of that right?)
I went through a phase where I read all of Knut Hamsen's books. I like him a lot.

Bravo, Heather!! :D
I have read some of Hamsun as well, some years ago. He was very popular, but since he was on "the wrong side" at World War 2, he lost much of his popularity then. Anyway, he was a very good writer, and his books are worth reading!!
So maybe you should try Henrik Ibsen next?! My favorite is Johan Falkberget, but I am not sure his work is translated to English!