Re-potting my orchid! - Orchid Board

branbagw · #1 07-24-2008, 11:46 AM

My orchid has done well for almost a year now. I know it is time to re-pot, as the original pot it came in is relatively small. If anyone can offer some insight into sucessfully re-potting my orchid, I would truly appreciate it, as this would be a new venture for me! Thank you so much.

Royal · #2 07-24-2008, 11:56 AM

What kind of orchid is it? What kind of media is it planted in? We need a little more info.

Basically, you'll want to get it nice and wet. This will soften up the roots. Be gentle and patient. Shimmy the plant and roots out of the old pot. Take your time and try to remove all of the old potting medium from between the roots tying not to cause too much root damage. Don't force things too much, if a root wants to hold onto a chunk of bark - let it. A tool can help with this. I like a long flathead screwdriver, but just be gentle. Untangle the roots a bit as the medium comes out. Once you have it ready for the new pot, I like to put a few of the larger chunks in the bottom, then place the plant (you'll probably have to hold it in position), and fill around the roots with handfuls at a time. Every few handfuls, use the tool or your finger to try to settle the medium into the spaces between the roots. Then a few more handfulls. Repeat until the pot is full.

JennS · #3 07-24-2008, 12:03 PM

Do you have any idea what kind of orchid you have? If you can post a picture we can help more.

Gererally, I choose a pot size 2" larger unless it is a type that really likes to be pot/root-bound. I prefer clay pots because I do my growing outdoors and it makes them more steady. Alot of people like clear plastic pots, and I have a couple this way, which is nice because you can see the medium dry out and watch root growth too. Many orchids also have roots that participate in photosynthesis so having a clear pot will aid in allowing them to do this. You will not harm them, however, by choosing a clay or darker colored plastic pot. Some people also like baskets, but again that dependson the type. Vandas are sold bare root in little black plastic baskets alot of the time, but this would not wokr for other kinds. Sorry, if I am confusing you, I am just trying to be thorough. If your came in a pot, a pot shoule be fine to continue with, just a larger size.

Next, you need to choose a medium. You can stick with the same kind the plant came in, or switch to one that better suits your needs. I prefer a bark mixture for most of mine that has medium sized bark, charcoal, perlite, and some of them have little stones too. You can buy a commercially prepared mix at a big store like Home Depot or a local garden center (I perfer local as it is family owned). Then, soak the medium in water for several hours. Some people say 24 hours, I usually do about 8 or 10 (overnight).

Once you have pot and soaked medium, you can take the plant out of the current pot. Next, I would soak the plant for about 15 minutes to let the roots get a bit softer so none will be broken in repotting. Next, remove all of the old medium from around the roots. Some roots may cling to medium so try to remove it w/out damaging the roots. If it will damage them I usually leave it, if it is only a couple of pieces.

You want to trim off any dead roots. These will be mushy, not firm like healthy roots. The healthy roots will also be a whiteish/greenish color whereas the dead roots will be brown to black. Use a sterile tool to remove dead roots. I use my garden clippers (which are only used for orchids and the occassional snip or herbs) and wipe them down with cotton balls dipped in rubbing alcohol. Let them dry them you can clip the roots.

Next, you can put the plant into it's new home. You may have to put some medium in the bottom first to have the plant rest at the top of the pot. You do not watnt to cover the stem of the plant, only the roots.

If you can tell us what type it is, I am sure you can get more advice on type of medium, how soon to fertilize after repotting and much more. Good luck!

Royal · #4 07-24-2008, 12:17 PM

Good info Jenn. I TOTALLY agree about the clay pots being more stable. To me, seeing the perfect time to water is secondary to making sure it doesn't tip over every day!

Branbagw, You can see that we all have our own styles, but there are a few commonalities. Trimming the old dead roots is one thing that I missed. A lot of these tips depend on the type of orchid, and also your growing conditions. A little more info will get you some more specifics, but follow Jenn's advice and you should be fine.

JennS · #5 07-24-2008, 12:23 PM

Thank you Royal. You post was good too! I was just typing away and I hit post quick reply and it put me right at your post. The first line, what kind of orchid is it, was similar to mine, and I thought, why am I showing up as someone else??? LOL! I had a blond moment! Then I scrolled down and saw my post.

Like Royal said, a little more info will get you even more advice!

SP2340 · #6 07-24-2008, 01:26 PM

Good advice! I have a question though. I read on a potting mix I bought that you should keep the plant out of bright light and mist it daily until new root growth apears after re-potting. Does this sound correct?

branbagw · #7 07-24-2008, 02:07 PM

Thanks guys, this is Very Very helpful. When I get home I will be able to provide more info and post a picture. Thanks again and I will add more info as soon as I can.[/COLOR]

JennS · #8 07-24-2008, 02:54 PM

I would agree to keep it out of direct light after repotting and in the future. However, I think it still needs a fair amount of bright light, maybe slightly reduced from it's usual amount. If it is severly lacking roots then it will need less light, but if the roots are healthy, the light should not need to be decreased much. That is just my thoughts though... I like to mist mine daily on top of the medium for the ones I grow inside, whether freshly repotted or not (unless just watered).

Royal · #9 07-24-2008, 03:40 PM

Keeping the medium on the drier side (not dry) will often encourage new root growth. High humidity, but slightly less frequent watering and slightly decreased light levels should help it settle into its new pot.

Misting as a means of irrigation is a little time consuming. Drenching the medium completely when you water is the way to go. Misting to increase the humidity is a temporary solution. Use humidity trays, group your plants, etc. to really fix the humidity issue. Lots of people mist, though. So it's fine, but it'll keep the mix wetter longer, which is sometimes not a good thing.