Repotting Orchids Demystified

Repotting orchids may seem like rocket science or brain surgery for the uninitiated but it really is just about making sure that the existing plant is transferred to a new home without the trauma. It is also very important to keep from infecting the plant as roots are cut off from the old container. You will know that a plant needs repotting when the roots seem to be overcrowded in its pot. Allowing the roots to crowd in the pot won't contribute to the orchid's health. Ideally, new plants should be repotted as soon as possible after you buy them. Then repot around 6 months after that because new plants tend to grow faster. When the plant is more mature it can stand to be repotted after 2-3 years just as long as the potting medium is still viable. It is important that the medium allows the water to drain freely while retaining moisture.

You will need to prepare several things before you begin the process of repotting orchids. First, of course, is the new pot. It should be bigger than the old pot. How big should it be? It should be big enough to accommodate plant growth for the next months or years. This would also be a good time to change the kind of pot you're using especially if you don't need to be watering quite that often or you want to try a new material. It is also a good time to put together a new potting mix for your plant. The choice of medium will also depend on the type of pot you want to use so as to maximize or regulate water drainage and circulation. You will need to prepare something that will prevent fungi growth on the newly cut part of the orchid's roots. Several fungicides are available in the market or you may use cinnamon.

You should prepare a clean area to work so that virus or bacteria won't spread from plant to plant. It doesn't need to be hospital sterile or anything like that but you do have to sterilize the cutting utensil you will use. You can use bleach to wipe the blade of your cutting tool or pass it over fire for a couple of times to kill any organism that may make your plant sick. Clippers and another instruments need to be sterilized as well. In this process of repotting orchids, you need to be as clean as can be so as to remove the risk of cross infection. This is especially necessary if the reason for repotting is because you need to prune a diseased part from the healthy plant. This procedure is strictly enforced in flower farms where the risk of infection is removed so that the stock of plants won't be compromised by disease or bug infestation.

When repotting orchids from the old pot to the new one, you can expect that some roots will get torn or cut off. Try to be as gentle as possible to avoid this but when you do need to cut a root off, treat it immediately with a fungicide. It's like applying iodine on a wound. Check the roots for signs of decay and bug infestation, too. You don't want to waste this opportunity to give the roots of the orchid plant a good once over. After this you can gently put the plant in the new pot. Keep the plant steady with a support stake if needed then carefully fill the plant with the new potting media. Gently press it down. Take care you don't crush the roots. After that you can water the plant to see if your repotting orchids is effective in giving the plant a new home.

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