reducing stress when repotting Angraecums

[nemesis]

Hi everyone. I searched available posts, but have not come across anything that tells me how to reduce stress when repotting Angraecums. I know they are tricky and am afraid to try. Any tips would be appreciated. I am a newbie and have only grown Phalanopsis. Thanks in advance.

[Shadeflower]

I don't think angraecums are any trickier to repot than a phal although I am aware of their reputation.
They take a long time to grow roots and only grow a very limited amount compared to a phal so if you snap off a root it will take the angreacums months to regrow them.
It happens when repotting a phal or an angraecum. If you can minimise repotting then you minimise chances of breaking roots.
The problem with angraecums or at least the few I have had is that they have a high tendency to develop stem rot. In winter they practically stop growing, I can see how people might be tempted to blame it on a recent repot, oh no I repotted my angreacum, then it died, ergo it didn't like getting repotted, I better inform the world...
Well you can interpret it anyway you want.
The bottom line is most newly acquired orchids need to be repotted to see what is actually in the pot. Also your growing environment will not be the same as the place they came from and your media should always be tailored to your environment.
That is one thing that doesn't get mentioned enough. You should be using what you know will work for your environment, rarely will the mix it comes in be ideal for you, although it does happen but you can get all sorts depending on the previous grower.
If the mix is degrading on not suited to dry out fast enough then the orchid will suffer regardless.
So don't treat repotting as something it won't like althoguh do try to minimise it.

See it as ripping off a band aid. Yeah you'd rather not but it needs to be done if it is a new orchid with an unknown mix.

Do it as carefully as possible, soak the whole pot in warm water for an hour first then gently clean the roots and remove as much of the old debris, leave nothing but roots. You might have to remove some dead roots.

If you pick a similar media than the old then it won't be too much of a change like switching from organic like bark to inorganic like lecca can be an excessive shock for an angraecum.

After that it's just a matter of giving it the right temps, light and regular weekly, weakly feeding with fertilizer

[Ray]

The key to any repot is timing.

The ideal time for any plant is just when new roots are emerging from the base of the plant, but sometimes we can’t wait for that, as it means risking losing the plant to root rot in crappy potting medium. In such a situation, I do the following:

1. Unpot the plant, removing the existing medium and any obviously dead and rotting roots.
2. Immerse the plant in a bath of KelpMax at 1 or 2 tablespoons/gallon for an hour or so.
3. Using fresh potting medium that has been wetted with that same solution, repot it normally.
4. Invert a clear plastic bag over the plant and pot to trap humidity. No need to close the bag.
5. Keep it warm and very shady.
6. If it needs watering during the time before new root growth is apparent, also use the KelpMax solution.

In a few weeks, it ought to be fine and can be returned to its preferred growing state.

[Clawhammer]

I find smoking a little weed before repotting reduces stress (legal here) :hehe:

[estación seca]

Which Angraecum?

[tmoney]

Originally Posted by Clawhammer

I find smoking a little weed before repotting reduces stress (legal here) :hehe:

gives new meaning to repot

[nemesis]

Thank you all so much. This helps immensely. However, no weed for me...I'll have to stick with Xanax lol!

---------- Post added at 08:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:54 PM ----------

Sesquipedale, Magdalena, Leonis.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by nemesis

Thank you all so much. This helps immensely. However, no weed for me...I'll have to stick with Xanax lol!

---------- Post added at 08:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:54 PM ----------

Sesquipedale, Magdalena, Leonis.

I can't even do that! Federal license holder. I'd lose it for either choice. I prefer sober.

[estación seca]

I think neither sesquipedale nor leonis cares if you're careful and don't fuss with the roots. I haven't grown the other.