Repotting Orchids in 6 Easy Steps
First Step: When taking on the task of repotting an orchid, for the best success first get organized. Set up a work space and sanitize the environment. The bench top, the tools, the pots you will pot into, cutting tools, and your own hands. While orchids can be repotted or transplanted with certain ease sanitation is a must for maximum success.
Second Step: We need to get the plant out of the pot with the least amount of damage. Orchids in plastic pots should be an easier task to complete. Under most conditions with the orchid pot being plastic the likelihood of the orchid coming out is greatly enhanced. Simply turn on side and allow the plant to come out into your hand being careful not to apply any pressure to the plant. However, if the plant has really overgrown the pot it may need some persuasion to release the plant. If not successful take the pot and roll it along the edge of the workbench and see if this will loosen up the roots and plant medium. If the plant still is stuck then the last option is to cut the pot. Do so very carefully not to cut any of the roots. A clay pot may be a problem for it is not unusual for the roots to grab onto the clay pot and make it impossible to dislodge. If this is the case break the pot.
Third Step: Clean up the orchid or groom it. Take away any loose bark and dead roots. Do not reuse bark for other orchids. If, after evaluating the plant, the roots are completely incased with bark in the inside of the root ball, you may need to open this area up with your fingers or even a blunt butter knife tool. You must rid the plant of the old bark and dead roots for optimum health. Clean up the work surface and get rid of the old bark and plant material.
Fourth Step: Separate the plant. Sympodial orchids like Cattleya, Dendrobiums or Paphiopedilums, the growth or shoots, come from last year’s growth. If the pot has many new growths like 3, 6, or 9 these can be separated by divisions of three. This is best when repotting so the new plants have the best chance to prosper. Make clean cuts and keep the pressure on the plants to as little as possible.
Fifth Step: Time to repot. Chose the type of pot you would like to use. Green plastic, clay or even now clear plastic pots with extra vent holes. Prior to this step make sure all pots are clean and sanitized. Place in the bottom, sanitized clay shards, lava rock or styrofoam peanuts. All work equally well. If the plant is a Sympodial, place the presoaked bark in the pot making a mound on one side almost reaching the top. Put the oldest part of the plant next to the mound with the eyes of the new growth toward the middle of the pot. Spread out the roots across the mound and then fill in the rest of the space with soaked bark. In the case of a monopodial orchid mound the bark in the center and spread roots around the mound then fill with bark.
Sixth Step: Do not place your newly repotted plants in strong light. Cut back on watering for a couple weeks. Use a spray bottle to mist the leaves every second or third day. After two weeks if the plant does not appear to have any repotting shock, return to normal conditions. Now step back and sing “Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy, I have a happy orchid.”
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