Want to repot your orchid but don’t really know how to?
Well, better keep reading because this article could be exactly what you’re looking for!
In this one, we’ll go over a step-by-step guide on repotting orchids the right way. And, yes, contrary to popular belief, there is a right way to do it!
It is important that you read this article because orchids are not easy to repot… They have aerial roots, so we must be careful… I will explain everything you need to know!
Let’s jump right into it, shall we?
How To Repot an Orchid? Here’s The Right Way!
5 – Collect Supplies
To begin repotting your orchid the right way, you’ll need to get your hands on a few things first. These include:
Most of these items you’ll have at home and those you don’t have at home are just a trip to the local gardening store away.
What are you waiting for? Go get them!
4- Prepare The New Pot
Once you have all the items needed for this procedure, it’s time to begin preparing the new pot that you’ll be transferring your orchid to.
Ensure your new pot is strong, sturdy, and has drainage holes at the bottom so that excess water can leave the soil and not create a mess. Add your potting mix to the new pot and even it out. If the mix is very dry, lightly moisten it with some water so that it’s easier to work with.
Now that your new pot is set up, you can move on to the next step.
PS: I recommend that you use a pot specifically for orchids, one of those that have holes on the sides for the roots to come out.
You can buy that pot right here, for just a few dollars.
3 – Remove Your Orchid From The Old Pot
Yeah…this can be a little tricky…
You’ll have to remove your orchid from its old pot with its roots intact.
If those break off or get damaged, any chances of you repotting and successfully growing the orchid go down the drain. So…yeah…just be careful!
Once your orchid is out, clean up any junk that may be stuck to its roots and chop off roots that appear rotten or badly damaged.
Brown and mushy roots are also a serious red flag. It’s better to remove them before planting the orchid in the new pot.
Be Careful!
If your orchid has aerial roots, when you repot the plant, you should NOT cover these roots with soil. The aerial roots should remain above the soil, even when transplanting.
2 – Plant It In The New Pot
Take your extracted orchid and plant it in the new pot that you just prepared. Be careful not to rush this step as it increases the chances of you damaging the roots.
Try your best to keep the plant upright and stable.
Now, cover up the base of the orchid with some more potting soil and give the pot a gentle shake to level the soil.
Avoid pressing down on the soil and packing it too tightly as it may restrict the movement of water and nutrients that your orchid will need.
1 – Aftercare
Aftercare is a necessary aspect of repotting. It will help your orchid adjust to the new pot and lower any chances of transplant stock.
As you might know, plants are really not that fond of sudden changes and they thrive in conditions they were initially planted in.
To make this transition smoother for your orchid, provide it with a good amount of water, fertilization, and indirect light. The plant will require less and less attention as it adjusts to the new pot, so this special treatment is really just temporary.
Final Words
Repotting an orchid can be a tough task, especially since they’re a lot more sensitive compared to other plants.
Orchids have delicate root systems and specific growing requirements which, if not met, could mean that the repotting probably won’t go very well.
However, with a lot of love and care, your orchid should transplant just fine and slowly adjust to the new pot. All you need to be is willing, willing to provide your orchid with the environmental conditions and resources it needs.
