How To Repot An Orchid

When should you repot orchids?

Orchids should be repotted when new; every year or two; or when crowded roots push up and out of the pot. Spring: time for a close-up. Other than watering and occasionally fertilizing them, you probably don’t look closely at your orchids all that often when they’re not in bloom.

Can I repot an orchid in regular potting soil?

Many orchids used as house plants are epiphytic, rather than terrestrial, meaning they don’t grow in soil. These types of orchids will die if you repot them in regular potting soil. Many orchids grow well in sphagnum moss, orchid bark, or a bark mixture.

What is the best potting mix for orchids?

Texas A&M University botanists, however, say their Phalaenopsis orchids thrive best in a potting mix that is 80% fir bark and 20% coarse sphagnum peat.

Do orchids like tight pots?

Orchids like to be snug in their pot and the ratio of roots to potting mix should be about equal. Instead of growing more roots to fill the space the roots stay wet, the potting mix stays soggy, and the health of the orchid deteriorates.

Should my orchid roots be exposed?

If the orchid air roots are firm and white, they are healthy and you don’t need to do anything at all. Just accept that this is normal behavior. According to orchid experts, you should definitely not remove the roots. Either way, don’t cover the roots because they may rot.

Should I remove the plastic from my orchid?

When you purchase an orchid from a greenhouse or garden center, they are usually sold in clear plastic pots with several drainage holes. However, if you do place these clear plastic pots in decorative pots, it is a good idea to remove them during watering to allow for proper drainage.

What are orchid roots supposed to look like?

Healthy roots are firm to the touch and white to green in color. Orchid roots do not need to be bright green all of the time. In fact, they should only be bright green right after they are watered. If the roots are always bright green that is an indication that they are drowning.

Do orchids outgrow their pots?

Cut back any rotted or dead roots and follow the repotting instructions below. Moth orchids can outgrow their pots in about a year’s time as their wandering roots reach outside and above the edge of the containers. Mature plants usually flower from late winter into spring and their blossoms can last for several months.

Can I use normal potting mix for orchids?

Gardeners new to orchid growing soon realize that healthy orchids don’t grow in regular potting soil. It’s too dense, doesn’t drain thoroughly enough, and most orchids actually grow in the air—the medium is just there to give the roots something to cling to.

Can you use indoor potting mix for orchids?

If you’d rather just buy your mix ready-made, prepared potting mixes are readily available from most places that sell orchids, including home-improvement stores. Most mixes contain fir bark, perlite, charcoal, and sometimes some peat moss and are suitable for most orchids.

Should I add soil to my orchid?

Orchids need fresh potting mix every year or so. This continues to provide plants with the best nutrients and encourages proper air circulation. Soil that is not replaced can retain more water, leading to root rot and leaving your orchid vulnerable to fungal diseases. Your orchid’s roots are soft and brown.

What is orchid food?

Orchids need to be fed regularly. Growers suggest using a “balanced” fertilizer such as 20-20-20 that includes all “necessary trace elements.” Regardless of the fertilizer formulation you choose to use, it should contain little or no urea. Orchids will do far better with too little fertilizer than with too much.

Is charcoal good for orchids?

Is wood charcoal good for your orchids? Charcoal is an excellent potting medium for orchids since it eliminates odor, breaks down the buildup of bacteria, absorbs the salt residue (therefor reduces the risk of root burn) and doesn’t degrade.

How often should orchids be watered?

How often you water an orchid depends on the species and the environment they’re kept in, but, on average, most orchids can be watered once a week to every 10 days. Just be careful not to oversaturate them. “In general, orchid plants need much less water than the average consumer would think.

What do you soak orchid roots in before repotting?

Prepare some cinnamon (yes, the kind you use to cook with, as in cinnamon buns) or sulfur. You will need them to dust the roots after they are cut to disinfect them. Soak your orchid in a bucket of water for half an hour or so to loosen the potting medium and make the roots more flexible.

How do you know when your orchid needs repotting?

Once you notice your orchid’s roots seem too crowded in its current container, it’s time to repot your orchid. If you see roots beginning to grow up from the plant stem or start to crawl over the side of the pot, it’s a telltale sign your pot has become too small.

Should orchid pots have drainage holes?

All pots must have drainage holes; roots that continuously touch water will rot and die which will eventually kill the plant as well.

What do you do with an orchid after the flowers fall off?

After the flowers drop from the orchid you have three choices: leave the flower spike (or stem) intact, cut it back to a node, or remove it entirely. Remove the flower spike entirely by clipping it off at the base of the plant. This is definitely the route to take if the existing stem starts to turn brown or yellow.

Why is my orchid growing so many new roots?

If you ever notice some of your orchid’s roots beginning to grow or loop above the surface of the growing medium, you have air roots. You may worry that your orchid has become pot-bound and is in need of repotting. This is a common error. As a rule, Phalaenopsis orchids only need to be repotted every year or two.

Can I use Miracle Grow on my orchids?

Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Orchid Food is a great way to nurture orchids and other acid-loving plants. It gives plants a deep, rich leaf color, beautiful blooms, and strong roots. Apply it every 2 weeks during active growth periods and every 4 weeks during rest periods.