When do you repot an orchid

Position multi-stem plants against the pot wall. Staking may be required until the plants are fully established. Water thoroughly. Add more mix if setting occurs. You might also like Houseplants that bloom — 5 orchids that put on a show. Hoya Plants: Caring for Hoya. Five Herbs to Plant This Fall. The best indoor plants for small spaces. May 7, at am. When you buy a new plant it may have been in the same medium for a long time already. A good rule of thumb is to repot a new orchid as soon as practical after it is purchased.

Usually this means when it goes out of bloom. Orchids need to be repotted before their media breaks down and smothers the roots. Orchids do not grow in pots in the wild, they are in pots for our convenience so we need to do our best to make it a favorable environment. Without timely repotting an orchid will slowly decline with its growth rate and flower count reducing. Orchids are best repotted when they are in active growth.

Ideally, repotting is best done while the new roots are less than a few inches long. Repotting at this time will allow the plant to settle into the new media quickly. The best time to repot an orchid varies from one type to the next. Most Phalaenopsis are very forgiving and can be repotted just about any time they are not in bloom.

On the other extreme, Dendrobiums prefer to be repotted only as new growth appears. There will always be instances when an orchid must be repotted immediately for example if the pot breaks, or the media is severely decomposed in which case be as gentle as you can. The goal is to minimize damage to the roots, especially the new, young ones. See our detailed list of Repotting Calendar by orchid genera. You are most likely to be successful with a medium that suits your environment and your habits.

Figure out what works for you, remember, you are the expert when it comes to your orchids. Our Select-A-Blend menu allows you to experiment and try a limitless number of combinations. Individual orchid media are also available in our Potting Media section. But don't let that stop you! If you collect a few plants you will likely buy ones in bark, moss, etc.

See which medium works best for you in your conditions and move all plants of that genera ie all phals into the same mix. You are most likely to be successful if you ease the transition a bit by making gradual changes when you can.

For example, moving from bark to sphagnum is easier on the plant if you move it to bark and sphagnum mix first. Yes, the plants may sulk a bit when you change media and repot but don't let that worry you, they will likely settle into the fresh media fairly quickly and continue to thrive.

A little preparation will make the repotting experience pleasant and productive. Prepare for repotting your orchid by gathering the right tools for the job. You will need the following on hand:. Keep some cinnamon on hand while repotting to sprinkle on newly cut areas of the plant.

Cinnamon yes, the ordinary spice from the grocery store is a good, natural fungicide. You may substitute your favorite orchid fungicide for cinnamon if you have one. During repotting is a great time to examine the orchid thoroughly looking for bugs.

Pest Control Spray contains cinnamon and should be used if bugs are found at repotting time. It is absolutely essential that you take precautions to avoid spreading virus or bacteria from one plant to another. Any time a plant is cut or knicked there is an opportunity for disease to enter. Cutting tools should be sterilized prior to use by soaking in a Physan 20 solution for 10 minutes or by heating them with a flame.

When taking cutting tools out of the Physan solution, rinse the cutting tool before using. Having a few cutting tools available and cycling through them makes the soaking time less of a factor.

Anything that is in contact with the plant can potentially spread pathogens from one plant to another, especially at repotting time. Don't reuse pots, stakes, clips, etc between plants unless they have been sterilized first. Most of the time it is safer and easier to use new than risk spreading disease from plant to plant. Sheets of newspaper or paper towel provide a convenient clean surface to work on and can be changed out between plants. If you have dried and stored a bag of our mix, a colander works well for rinsing the mix and allowing it to rehydrate.

Sphagnum mixes should be rinsed, squeezed out and then fluffed. Clear plastic pots make it easy to see the roots and to see when to water. Congratulations, orchid lover! But fret not, we have a few tips to help you successfully transfer it to its new home without killing it.

This means your orchid is too large for its pot and needs a new one. The ideal time to repot the orchid is right after it finishes flowering, when you see new growth starting to appear. Allow the mixture to come to room temperature, then drain the potting mix.

Orchids are very susceptible to disease as well, so be sure to sterilize everything that will come in contact with your orchid during the repotting process. After the orchid is out of its pot, use your fingers and a clean pair of scissors to clean up the roots.

This article has been viewed , times. There's something magical about orchids, don't you think? Their elegant necks and brilliant petals are fitting for an ancient forest habitat, and yet they thrive in a home environment with little upkeep. Repotting orchids prevents their roots from getting overcrowded so they'll continue producing gorgeous blooms for years to come. Learn how to determine when an orchid is ready to repot and how to move it to a new container without damaging the roots.

Before repotting an orchid, start by removing the orchid from its old pot and clipping away any dead roots. Then, gently transfer the plant to a slightly larger pot. For tips from our Gardening reviewer on finding the right potting mix for your orchid, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue.

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Article Summary. Part 1. Determine whether it's time to repot. The ideal time to repot an orchid is right after it finishes flowering, when it begins to produce new growth. In general, your orchid should be repotted about once a year. If you're not sure when your orchid was last repotted, watch for the following signs to know if it's time: Several roots are growing over the pot.

If you see many roots - not just one or two - dangling over the pot, your orchid needs more room, and it's time to move it to a bigger space. Some of the roots are rotting—they'll look soft and brown. If they seem soggy, and the potting material is no longer draining properly, you'll need to repot the orchid.

The plant is growing over the edge of the pot. If the bulk of the plant is leaning way over the edge, it needs more space. The bottom leaves are falling off. Don't repot orchids unless you really need to. Being overzealous with orchid repotting can throw off the plant's growing cycle.

An orchid should only be repotted if the above symptoms are evident. If it looks to be healthy and well contained in its current pot, put off repotting for another year. It's better for the orchid to get a little overcrowded than to be repotted too soon.

Figure out what potting material you need. Now that you know it's time to repot your orchid, it's important to figure out the right type of potting substrate to use. 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. Most common orchids will do well with this mixture: [9] X Research source 4 parts fir bark or coconut husks 1 part medium charcoal 1 part perlite If you're not sure exactly what kind of orchid you have, packaged potting mix for orchids is a safe bet for most epiphytic orchids.

It's available at many nurseries and home and garden centers. If you have a terrestrial orchid, you'll need soil that is crumbly and retains water well. It should have a high content of perlite and wood matter. Ask at your local nursery for the particular mix that's right for your orchid genus.

Decide what size pot to use.