Orchid Repotting - Four Easy Steps to Keep Your Plants Healthy

When you're growing orchids in your garden, they are going to be times that you need to do some orchid repotting. After all, if you want beautiful flowers in your garden or inside your home, you need to ensure that they stay healthy and thrive. Unfortunately, some people growing orchids have no idea how to do this very task. Yet, if you want to grow beautiful flowers over and over, you need to know how to do orchid repotting to ensure that the plants stay healthy.

Four Big Reasons Why Orchid Repotting Is Necessary

One big concern you may have about pulling perfectly beautiful plants from their medium is how fast they'll start to wilt. Here's a little clue about orchids: they won't immediately die off because they love the air they receive on their roots. However, orchid repotting is necessary for four reasons. They are:

- Roots too big for present pot

- Roots have root rot

- Potting medium is decaying (can no longer be used)

- Can see signs of salt buildup

When Is The Right Time For Orchid Repotting

It's so important that you know how to repot orchids the right way if you want beautiful blooms every season. The way to do this is to know when you should do the repotting process, which is typically late spring (May or June) or early summer (June and half of July). You should always wait until the blooms are done before you begin the orchid repotting process. However, the only exception to repotting your plants during their blooming stage is when they are very sick. However, repotting orchids during the times they shouldn't be can cause the new root system to die off.

Know How To Do It Right: Four Steps For Orchid Repotting

It's not all that difficult a process to do orchid repotting but you should take special care of your plants during this time. Make sure you got the right equipment from the get go so as not to have any issues along the way. You should have:

- Pots/potting medium

- Sterilized cutting tools

- Rinsed potting soil

- Plant supporters

- Sterilized area

- Orchids that have been watered recently

- Fungicide/cinnamon

1 - Sterilized Tools/Table - In the orchid repotting process, be sure your tools and working areas are sterilized so that you don't transfer any diseases from one pot to another.

2 - Removing Watered Orchids - Carefully remove the plants without damaging the roots. Notice any roots on the outside of the pot... then go ahead and break the pot, being careful not to injure the plant roots. Remove all medium from the orchid without causing damage to the roots.

3 - Trimming The Orchids - Use your sterilized tools to trim the roots, getting the dead roots off and removing soft, brown pseudo bulbs. You need to also get rid of the old growth on the canes. Whatever you do, don't rip it off...instead peel it. Place fungicide (or even cinnamon) on these spots.

4 - Place In New Pots - You want to have a good sized pot; nothing too large. Make sure older orchid parts lay against the pot's side. Pack the new medium around the plant so only roots are buried. Use the plant supporters to keep them upright. Don't forget to use fertilizer on your orchids. Be sure the pots you use allow the roots to get air and provide decent drainage.

Orchid Repotting - How Often Should It Be Done and Why

Orchid repotting is not a task that must be done on a regular basis unless you notice root rot or other diseases on your plants, as once every two years is sufficient enough. Waiting too long can cause three issues:

- Too much moisture retention

- Break down of potting medium

- Lack of air, leading to root rot.

Tim Yale is an orchid expert.

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