Repotting Your OrchidsRepotting an orchid is not difficult, but it is a little different
than repotting most houseplants. Here are some easy tips to help you repot
your orchid successfully.
The first thing to do is to decide if your orchid needs
repotting. General rule of thumb – orchids need only be
repotted every 1.5-2 years, with the exception of very young orchids.
Never repot an orchid while it is in bloom, or when it is producing
a flower spike.
They usually need repotting for two reasons:
To replace the growing medium.
When the bark, (growing medium), has broken down and begun to decompose it no longer allows air to circulate through the pot to dry the roots between watering. Good drainage is vital to the health of your orchid, and if the roots are allowed to remain wet, they will rot fairly quickly. Because it has outgrown its pot.
Roots hanging over the edge of the pot is normal for most orchids, these are called air roots. However, if the plant itself is hanging over the edge of the pot, or pushing on the edge, it’s time to repot. Here is a list of supplies for repotting your
orchid:
To Repot Your Orchid
Lay out a few sheets of newspaper on a table. Working over the newspaper, turn the plant upside down and gently dislodge the orchid from the pot. You may need to squeeze the sides of the pot or tap on it gently. Sometimes the roots will stick to the container, making it difficult to remove. If this happens, use a sterilized knife to gently loosen the plant from the pot. Once you have removed the plant from the old pot, carefully separate the roots and shake off as much of the old potting mixture as possible. You may have to pick some off with your fingers. If any is really stuck to the roots, it’s ok to leave it. It’s best not to risk breaking roots trying to remove it. The next step is to trim off the dead and unhealthy roots. Using sterilized scissors or clippers, cut off any dried and crispy or wet and mushy roots. Healthy roots are firm and white and have light-green growing tips. If you are repotting an orchid that has pseudobulbs, you may want to divide the plant now. You can do this by carefully cutting through the rhizome with a sterilized knife. Make sure that each new plantlet has at least three pseudobulbs and a sufficient amount of healthy roots attached. If you are repotting into a previously used pot, be sure to wash it thoroughly. Soak it in a weak solution of chlorine bleach for 30 minutes, and then rinse it well. Good drainage is very important to orchids. This is planting medium dependent – not all mixes need this. It’s a good idea to soak the potting medium in water to hydrate it before use. Place some of the dampened mixture in the bottom of the pot. Position the orchid, and then carefully pack more of the mixture around the roots, firming it with your thumbs as you go. Take care not to plant the orchid too deep. The top of the rhizome should be level with the top of the bark. Water thoroughly, and fertilize your orchid with Al’s Transplant Fertilizer to prevent transplant shock. That’s all there is to it! You now have a happy, healthy
orchid!
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