Repotting

[newbiegirl87]

Is it a huge No-No to repot while the orchid still has blooms on the spike? I ended up doing this with my first orchid, not knowing that I shouldn't do it until blooms had fallen off. It's still one of my most healthiest plants.

I have another orchid I got from the store and it's been packed in that clear plastic with the moss. I got some new clear slotted pots and I want it to breathe. I just repot another one that came from the clear plastic and it looked like being packed in there hurt a lot of its roots. I don't want to kill all the roots in this one, so should I repot even though it has blooms?

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by newbiegirl87

Is it a huge No-No to repot while the orchid still has blooms on the spike? I ended up doing this with my first orchid, not knowing that I shouldn't do it until blooms had fallen off. It's still one of my most healthiest plants.

I have another orchid I got from the store and it's been packed in that clear plastic with the moss. I got some new clear slotted pots and I want it to breathe. I just repot another one that came from the clear plastic and it looked like being packed in there hurt a lot of its roots. I don't want to kill all the roots in this one, so should I repot even though it has blooms?

I my experience, respecting the individual plant is the core issue; I would never repot an orchid in bud or in bloom, given what energy it expended in the blooming phase of its journey.

Repotting, even in the hands of an experienced grower and done at an ideal juncture....disrupts and stresses the plant, our goal, I think, should be to keep that to a minimum.

[Optimist]

I have repotted after bud, while in bloom mainly for the sake of the plant. It is not like orchids need to have flowers to be healthy. Many will abort flowers to save the plant. The nastiest potting jobs are the big box store spagham moss in a tiny heat installed shrink wrapped pot. Some types do not come this way, and can be left alone till proper potting time. I am not totally againt that moss, I am against the combination of moss and that vile little pot. So, if your plant is nicely potted in chunky bark, leave it alone. If it is in that moss/ pot combo...I'd cut the spike and salvage the plant in better conditions for a bloom next time. Otherwise, in bloom, yes you can re pot. In bud, no, you cannot re pot.

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by Optimist

I have repotted after bud, while in bloom mainly for the sake of the plant. It is not like orchids need to have flowers to be healthy. Many will abort flowers to save the plant. The nastiest potting jobs are the big box store spagham moss in a tiny heat installed shrink wrapped pot. Some types do not come this way, and can be left alone till proper potting time. I am not totally againt that moss, I am against the combination of moss and that vile little pot. So, if your plant is nicely potted in chunky bark, leave it alone. If it is in that moss/ pot combo...I'd cut the spike and salvage the plant in better conditions for a bloom next time. Otherwise, in bloom, yes you can re pot. In bud, no, you cannot re pot.

Interesting! Are you saying, once in boom, whatever stress repotting brings them is moot? I never felt that, but, it's possible!

I think the nuclear issue is, to what extent there is a real NEED for repotting, and re the OP, I am not getting some urgent need at this juncture.

I did giggle re "vile little pot'! Many of my rescue, given the demographic of my neighborhood are serious money specimens. Clay pots, pretentious presentations, etc.

But even re those, when I immediately knock the plant out.....I see clear evidence of the underlying commercial greed: often, they are irresponsibly potted up from their initial containers to look more impressive from the outside....with then, far too much moss, and so, only a mouse click away from root rot.

[Optimist]

Originally Posted by JMNYC

Interesting! Are you saying, once in boom, whatever stress repotting brings them is moot? I never felt that, but, it's possible!

I think the nuclear issue is, to what extent there is a real NEED for repotting, and re the OP, I am not getting some urgent need at this juncture.

I did giggle re "vile little pot'! Many of my rescue, given the demographic of my neighborhood are serious money specimens. Clay pots, pretentious presentations, etc.

But even re those, when I immediately knock the plant out.....I see clear evidence of the underlying commercial greed: often, they are irresponsibly potted up from their initial containers to look more impressive from the outside....with then, far too much moss, and so, only a mouse click away from root rot.

Which is why I was telling the Op when I would repot. Commercial greed is more prevalent than I can understand. The buyer beware, instead of real lemon laws. I am a poor person. I have a collection of mainly rescue plants. My dogs are rescue dogs. My house is a rescue house. I know a lot about rescue. I have never bought anything new that was not on sale.

About the only issue I have ever come across when finally (after bloom) repotting is a few centapedes, worms or pill bugs.

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by Optimist

Which is why I was telling the Op when I would repot. Commercial greed is more prevalent than I can understand. The buyer beware, instead of real lemon laws. I am a poor person. I have a collection of mainly rescue plants. My dogs are rescue dogs. My house is a rescue house. I know a lot about rescue. I have never bought anything new that was not on sale.

About the only issue I have ever come across when finally (after bloom) repotting is a few centapedes, worms or pill bugs.

I just LUV YOU. Kindred spirit!

[Optimist]

Thanks. My family lives in NY.

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by Optimist

Thanks. My family lives in NY.

Well! That explains the whole thing!