Five Quick Tips for Repotting Orchids :

Repotting orchids should be done at least every two years. If you fail to do so, your plant may die or at least produce few flowers. You can easily tell when it's time to do so. If your growing medium has broken down or if new growths extend over the edge of the pot, it's time for you to repot the plant. Although it can seem difficult your first time around, it's not such a hard task. This article will give you a few tips to help you.

Timing

One of the first things you need to consider is when to repot. If you wait longer than two years, then the potting medium will break down. This will prevent air circulation from reaching the roots. Also, the medium will start retaining too much moisture, which will increase the risk of root rot. You should repot the plant in early summer before new growth starts to appear.

Pot Type

One of the next things to consider when repotting orchids is the type of pot to place the plant in. Two of the most popular choices include clay and plastic. Clay pots dry out faster than their plastic counterparts, so you will need to water your plant more often.

It's also important to select a design that has drainage holes. If not, the standing water will cause the roots to die which will kill your plant. Some growers like using clear pots because it allows the roots to receive light. This is especially beneficial for species that have roots capable of photosynthesis.

Pot Size

The size of the pot is also important. As mentioned earlier, you should repot your orchid every two years. Therefore, the size of the pot should be large enough to accommodate two years of growth. However, you should avoid using one that is too large. This won't give the potting medium time to dry enough before it's time to water again. The roots of the plant will likely rot in this situation.

Stability

You also need to make sure that the plant is stable after putting it into a new pot. You can easily accomplish this by using a wire plant tie or a bamboo stake. This will give the new root system time to get anchored so it can keep the plant upright without help.

Disease

The final thing you need to be careful about when repotting orchids is disease. While moving your plant to a new pot, you should use cutting utensils to get rid of dead or extremely long roots. Make sure that your utensils have been sterilized before using them. You can use diluted bleach or rubbing alcohol to do this. This way your plant won't be exposed to a viral infection that will likely kill it.