Transplanting Orchids
Orchids are one of the flower world’s most beautiful and exotic members, with over twenty-five thousand different species. Some are hard to grow, which has given orchids their reputation for being difficult. However, many other orchids are relatively simple to care for, as long as you know just how to care for orchids. One essential part of orchid care is the need to routinely transplant your flowers to a larger pot. This keeps them from running out of space, and allows them to continue flowering. An orchid in a container that’s too small will generally stop flowering.
The growing medium for an orchid needs to be replaced periodically, since it will decline if it stays in the same medium for too long. Orchid medium can actually decay to the point where it compacts and actually smothers the plant roots. Different media last different periods of time, with coconut husk mixes remaining viable longer than fir, and sphagnum moss being a middle ground choice. If the orchid appears to have outgrown its pot, or you need to refresh the medium, you’ll need to know how to do it. Let’s take a look.
Most orchids need to be repotted only every two to three years, though it will vary by species and individual plant. Don’t repot too often, since this could disturb the plant. New orchids may need to be repotted as soon as you can to make sure they’re in good health and keep them in harmony with your other plants. Repotting a new orchid can also allow you to examine its roots and make certain it has no insect pests or other problems to deal with. That will let you be sure you’re growing an orchid without pre-existing problems.
Older plants may not need repotting often at all, but if you see new growth outside the pot, you definitely need to do it. Roots that grow outside the container may be broken, or they may attach themselves to neighboring objects. Orchids suffering from insect infestation may also need repotting – carefully clean and check the roots in this case, and throw away all the old mix.
Transplanting needs to be done at the beginning of the plant’s growing season, after it has flowered, but before new roots are longer than about a half inch. Prepare the plant by soaking it until the or medium is extremely damp. Then lay the pot or container on its side and pull the plant out gently. A knife can be used to help you loosen the roots. Keep the roots intact as much as you can, since these are the way the orchid obtains its nutrients. Remove as much potting soil or growing medium as you can, then trim off off dead, damaged, dark or rotten roots.
Pick a new pot that’s one size larger than the current pot as long as the plant is healthy. For a plant with significant amounts of root damage, the same size or a smaller pot might be appropriate. Prepare the pit by placing coarse gravel, small stones, or other substances that help drainage in the bottom. Add your orchid and your growing medium, setting the plant into the new pot at the same height as it was in its old pot. Use an orchid appropriate growing medium, not regular soil.
Avoid watering your transplanted orchid for two weeks, and keep it out of the sun for six, so that it has the ability to recover from the stress of being repotted. For the first few months after repotting, water only sparingly. Use a stake in the middle of the pot (don’t damage roots) if you need to add extra support for your plant. That’s all there is to it! Orchid repotting might seem difficult and stressful, but if you take the time to learn how to do it correctly, it can be easy for you and your plant.
Growing orchids is a fun hobby that many people can get involved in. Just make sure that you know how to care for your plant properly. That means knowing when and how to repot it in order to keep it healthy and growing correctly. The reward is many beautiful flowers, and an exotic plant that you’ll have for a long time to come.
