subject: Orchid Repotting – An Essential Step In Long Term Orchid Care [print this page] Repotting your orchids is one of the best ways to help them maintain long-term health and vitality. By performing this critical step you really get to know your orchid in a new way.
Orchid repotting allows you to replace old, nutrient deficient potting media, and replace the pot itself, which can sometimes have unwanted bacteria build up. In addition, it also allows you to see how well you have been meeting your orchids needs. By examining the root structure while repotting, you can gain some insights into how well the drainage and ventilation have been working with that pot and potting media. Is their excessive rot and mold on the root structure? If so, consider delaying your watering cycle by a day or more.
When To Repot
It is best to repot your orchids during the spring or early summer. The key is to make sure that it is before any new growth has become well developed. If you don't repot before the new growth has developed, then you should just wait until the end of the growing season to repot. The reason is that you can seriously shock the new growth by repotting without allowing it proper time to adjust. And if you shock your plant it will either produce paltry bloomsor no blooms at allor possibly even die.
So How Do I Do This?
Repotting your orchid can be quite simple, but it definitely requires you to "get down and dirty" with your plant. The most important thing to do when repotting is to make sure that you have sterilized everything. Use a 1 to 4 bleach/water solution and wipe down the garden clippers, the table that you'll be working at, the new pot, as well as the bamboo stake you might be using for mechanical support on your orchid. If you've got latex or vinyl gloves, it's good to wear a pair of those too.
Gently take the orchid and remove it from the pot. Separate the potting media from the root structure as best as you can. You can give it a few gentle shakes to release some of the smaller bits. Now that you've got the roots exposed, it's time for the fun part.
If you want to divide your orchid to make two plants, then this is definitely the best time to do this. Cut the orchid root structure in half. Just make sure that each partition has at least 2 good back-bulbs. This will help them make the transition better.
If you're not dividing, then use the clippers to remove any rotten or moldy parts of the root structure. You will be able to see where the roots are healthy and where they are not. Just cut off the parts that don't look so good.
Now that you've got a nice clean orchid, it's time to put it in its new home. Grab the sterilized pot and throw some new potting bark or moss into the pot. Fill it part way up and then place the orchid in the center and fill the pot the rest of the way up with potting bark or moss.
If your orchid needs to be supported then center the bamboo stake and place it in the potting media. Attach it with some wire ties in the desired position and you're good to go! It is always a good idea to fertilize your newly repotted orchid. This will give it a boost of energy to transition to the new environment.
Give yourself a pat on the back; especially if this is your first time repotting an orchid. You've just done a really important thing for your orchid and before you know it you will be looking at those gorgeous blooms again.
Orchid Repotting An Essential Step In Long Term Orchid Care
