THE PRESNER TECHNIQUE FOR POTTING 
DIFFICULT ORCHID PLANTS; THOSE 
WITH LITTLE OR NO ROOT SYSTEM 
A — Bend a stiff wire into a U shape about 2” in size. 
This can be made from an old coat hanger. Flare 
the ends out slightly. Now drop the U shaped 
wire over the rhizome. See that the wire does not 
press against any new eye or new lead. 
B—Cut a small clump of osmunda about 2 inches 
square. Force the ends of the U shaped wire thru 
the small clump of osmunda. 
C— Cut a collar of osmunda about 6 inches long and 
two inches wide. Wrap this 6” collar of osmunda 
tightly around the small clump and force tightly 
into a 4” pot. 
~The method described above 
is) fOrea somallie3 stout, Dub 
plant. For a larger plant 
you use a longer U pin and 
a wider collar of osmunda. 
The pot used should of 
course be filled with one 
third crock or stones to al- 
low for drainage. Plant 
should be tied to a wood or 
metal stake. Sprinkle leaves 
daily morning and noon for 
2 months on sunny days to 
induce a new root system. 
Then you can resume week- 
ly pot watering. 
