Orchids Repotting

Orchid Repotting

Orchid repotting although it isn't a difficult task, it is sufficiently different from repotting other kinds of plants that you may be inclined to put it off. Don't, an orchid that is allowed to remain in the same pot to long will flower poorly. 

There are two ways to tell if your orchids need repotting. They have out grown their pots, or are you repotting orchids because the growing medium have broken down. If it appears sodden and musty and no longer drains freely, you must repot the plants in fresh medium to keep roots from rotting.

Unless it is an emergency, the best time for orchid repotting,  is just after they have began to produce a new growth, and before the new roots have begun to elongate. A medium for orchid repotting  is a commercially prepared mix of medium size chunks of fir bark.

Prepare your work area by laying out sheets of news papers, orchid repotting can be messy. Turn the plant up side down over the paper holding it in your hand, and thump the bottom and sides of the pot to dislodge the plant.

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Once you have removed the plant, carefully pry the roots apart and shake off as much of the old potting mixture as possible.

Before repotting your orchids, you will need to trim the roots, using a sharp small shears. To prevent spreading viral disease sterilize shears by wiping with rubbing alcohol.

Remove any dead or damaged roots. Dead roots are mushy and brown, a healthy root is white and has a light green tip. Cut off any old, leafless pseudo bulbs at this time. If there is more than one new growth, a lead, you can divide the plant by cutting through the rhizome, Each division should have at least three pseudo bulbs and a new lead.

Orchid repotting  will require a new pot that will accommodate about two years of new growth, if using a old pot, wash thoroughly and soak it in a ten percent solution of chlorine bleach for thirty minutes, than rinse well.

Orchid repotting  need excellent drainage, so place a generous layer of broken crocks or plastic from peanuts in the bottom of the pot. Before you use the potting mix, wet it with boiling water, allow to cool and drain. When placing the division in the pot, position the older pseudo bulbs against one side so that the new lead has room to expand. Pack the dampened bark mixture around the roots, firming it with your thumbs as you go. The top of the rhizome should be level with the top of the bark.