Repotting orchids

Important Tips For Successfully Repotting Orchids

Orchids are wonderful plants that in most cases are very hardy and will thrive when their basic needs are met.  Over time, one commonly overlooked requirement is orchids repotting.

It is essential to repot orchids when one of two conditions is present.   The first is when the plant actually starts overgrowing the pot.  The roots spilling over the sides and the leaves resting on the edge of the pot are two good examples of an orchid that needs a new pot.   The other time repotting is necessary is when the potting medium or compost in the pot has broken down.   This impedes drainage and reduces aeration around the roots, both of which can cause damage to the root system.   Generally speaking, if the plant has not been repotted in over last two years, it is most likely time to do it.

When the time comes to repot there are some key points to keep in mind to ensure that the procedure is successful and that the orchid continues to thrive. 

It is important to remember that the repotting process is a shock to the orchid, so it should not be done while the orchid is flowering or in a growth phase of the season.  For most species it is best to repot after flowering has ended, in the late winter or very early spring before the prime growth period starts.

Before repotting, the orchid plant should be healthy unless of course its unhealthiness is due to the fact that it needs to be repotted.  Make sure that there are no insect pests, yellowed leaves from overwatering, fungal/bacterial damage on the plant, etc.  If the orchid is suffering from any problems before the repotting, the stress of transplanting could kill the plant.

When choosing a new pot for the orchid, try to avoid plastic pots unless they have a lot of holes for drainage.   Terracotta (clay) pots are best as they somewhat porous allowing for some evaporation below the soil’s surface, which helps prevent root damage from too much moisture.   The other advantage of the clay pots is that they are heavy and the orchid is much less likely to get knocked over than if it were in plastic.   If an orchid falls over and is jarred in the pot, some of the roots can break.

Regardless of what type of pot is used, before adding the compost it is a good practice to put some rocks or polystyrene (packing peanuts) in the bottom of the pot which will be a tremendous help with the drainage in the pot. 

When putting the orchid back in the pot, moisten the potting mixture somewhat before placing it into the pot.  This will help the plant to get some water easily, but won’t give it too much.  This leads to the next tip, and that is that after repotting, do not water the orchid for between two and three weeks.  Even if extreme care is taken when repotting, some roots will have broken and/or there will be some wounds from roots that were trimmed off.   If the soil is too wet in this crucial healing time, there will be an increased risk of fungal or bacterial infection.  Keep the humidity level high and slowly start watering toward the end of the two to three weeks, and the orchid will be in fine shape.

The last key point is to stake the plant after repotting.  Some people skip this because they don’t like the way that it looks, but it is crucial to a successful transplanting.  The plant needs stability in the pot at all times, but especially at this time while the new root growth is taking hold.

Repotting orchids is a necessary part of maintaining the long-term health of the plants and when done properly, the plants will continue to thrive for years and years