Orchids have long been regarded as a specialty of hobby gardeners that have their own greenhouses. However, orchids are becoming more and more common in the average home.
Contrary to widespread belief, orchids are fairly easy to grow if you place them in the proper conditions. Knowing how and when to repot your orchids can be tricky at first, but if you follow a few basic guidelines you can have a gorgeous display to show your family and friends.
The Key to Repotting Orchids
Orchids are unlike other houseplants. You do not want to place an orchid in a container of soil, as with most houseplants. An Orchid needs a container of loose matter, such as bark, moss, and charcoal.
Take extra care when repotting your orchid; with their roots exposed during the process, your orchid is very susceptible to diseases.
When to Repot Your Orchids
Successful repotting orchids relies heavily on timing. Gardening Know How states that there are two major ways to know if it's time to repot your orchid.
First, if your orchid is growing out of its planter, there may be white roots visible in the spaces of the container. This is a sign that your orchid has outgrown its habitat.
Secondly, you need to repot your orchid if the potting medium starts to break down. An ideal consistency for orchid medium is chunky, to allow for better drainage. To ensure that your orchid's roots get the air they need, repotting is crucial to its health. Another important detail to consider is the time of the year that is recommended to plant your specific type of orchid. If your orchid variety produces pseudobulbs, you need to
Another important detail to consider is the time of the year that is recommended to plant your specific type of orchid. If your orchid variety produces pseudobulbs, you need to repot it just after it flowers, before the roots start to grow. For any other orchids, you can
For any other orchids, you can repot them at any time of the year, as long as you are careful to skip repotting when it is in bloom.
How to Repot Orchids for Best Results
First, choose a new pot an inch or two bigger than the one your orchid is in. A new pot ensures that you are not transferring a disease to your orchid.
1. You can use terra cotta pots or splurge for special orchid planters. These are designed with holes all around them to increase air circulation to the roots. Amazon has many brands of orchid planters to choose from, in a variety of styles and colors.
2. Use a mixture of bleach and water to soak your planter in; this will kill the bacteria that could harm your orchid.
3. Place your orchid potting mixture into a bowl and cover it completely with boiling water. After it cools, drain it. Wash your hands completely before repotting your orchid.
4. Carefully pull the pot away from the orchid's roots. Using sharp scissors, cut away any brown roots. Fill your new pot with the soaked potting mix and put the plant with the base at the top of the potting mix. Use a wooden dowel or chopstick to push pieces of potting mix between your orchid's roots. Mist regularly for at least a week until you begin to see new roots.
Repotting orchids is an easy project for anyone, as long as careful attention is paid to its special needs.
