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Potting orchids can seem
something of a mystery,
but actually its quite easy
providing you have the correct equipment, we are often
asked where can you buy orchid feed and orchid food or
clear plant pots suitable for orchids, baskets for vanda
orchids orchid compost and orchid food fertiliser etc., here
is a link which
you may find helpful in addition to the potting advice
for orchids given below
Why should we repot an orchid? Often its not
because the orchid has out grown its pot, but because
the old compost is beginning to break down and the air
cannot get to the plants roots, which will cause them to
suffer and possibly rot.
Mostly we now use clear plastic plant pots, why? -
because you can see any root problems, and see how the
plant roots are growing, and you can also see most pests
which may have set up home in the pot.
Phalaenopsis orchids and others which normally grow on
things rather than in the ground are used to having
their roots exposed to light, indeed they seem to enjoy
it, so clear pots do give them a little more
encouragement.
Terrestrial orchids can also be planted into a clear pot
which in turn sits inside a standard coloured pot, you
then can see at a glance what attention the roots may
need, having chosen you pot, and compost, and a clean
pair of cutters - its always a good idea to either
dip them in methylated spirits in or pass the blades
through a flame, i.e. Bunsen burner, or even a gas
lighter to avoid cross contamination with virus or
pests) then you can proceed as
follows:-
The illustration below show how to repot an orchid
which grows from the base, to learn how to repot
monopodial orchids such as a Phalaenopsis or moth orchid
take this link
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Step one -
the correct compost. choose a compost which
suits you as well as your orchid, ideally
orchids like well drained compost, so if you are
able to water regularly, then choose a very open
compost.
If you cannot water as frequently as you would
like, make the compost more water retentive, by
doing a little mixing.
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orchid grade bark
chippings
come in differing sizes, if the plant roots are
thick choose a larger one, if they are small and
thin then choose small chippings. They make a
good general compost .
lump peat and foam
a recent addition to the potting medium's this
one is ideal for Phalaenopsis and those plants
requiring a little more moisture retention.
Sphagnum moss, bark &
foam mix
a good starter for seedlings or very thinly
rooted plants, will dry out very fast, so watch
out for under watering.
Rock wool
Usually rock wool is mixed with a little perlite,
and can be a good mix for Phragmipediums,
advantages, is an inert medium, and certainly
contains nothing to harm your plant roots,
always flush through very well when watering to
avoid a build up of salts, dis-advantages can
seem dry on the surface even when very wet
underneath, and over time breaks down into a
hard mass.
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Step two -
Choosing a suitable candidate,
the plant shown on the right is very much in
need of attention,
the old growths could do with
a clean up and the old papery sheaths on them
should be removed to cheat any insect pests from
a home,
and importantly the new growth has
emerged from last years pseudobulb and is around
1 inch long.
Perfect for repotting
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The plant has now been cleaned up:-
the old papery sheaths removed and some
of the old roots removed, but as this is
a cattleya, at least four of the old
pseudobulbs have been retained to ensure
a good flowering on the new growth,
which at 1 inch long, and as yet without
its own roots is an ideal size to
acclimatize itself into its new home,
and sink this years roots down into the
fresh compost.
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Step three.
Choose a pot which is the right size
for the plant.
It should not be too big.
Ideally that will be one which is large
enough to take the plant as it is this
year with enough room for 1 more year
growth.
Put a few styrofoam chips at the bottom
of the pot, this will create good air
space and stop an accumulation of
waterlogged compost at the base.
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Step four.
Having put a little compost on top of
the foam.....
Place the plant with its newest growth
in the best position (the most room in
front), and pack quite firmly with more
compost.
The new growth should sit on the surface
of the compost and quite soon will put
on healthy leaves like the catasetum
pictured here.
With clear pots as in this illustration
you get the chance to observe root
growth as the plant settles into is new
home
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Step one is to choose a suitable bark
mix, orchid compost purchased from the
supplier at listed at the top of the
page is ideal, and ready mixed.
Step two is to choose a Plant Pot
suitable for Phalaenopsis orchids,
firstly, they do seem to do best in
clear pots, dont think that you must
repot an orchid into a larger pot, often
they will return to the same pot quite
happily with just a change of compost,
never over pot, orchids are happiest
when tucked tightly into bed.
Step three, remove the old compost
and throw it away, look for root damage,
and pull off any dead roots, they will
come away easily with gentle pressure if
they are dead, leaving a fine wire like
centre which can be trimmed off;
sometimes Phalaenopsis orchids produce
aerial roots, these can be left above
the compost, or it you wish to be tidy
placed inside the pot with the other
roots, where they may re surface or
possibly perish.
Step four hold the plant in place
inside the pot keeping the base of the
plant roughly where it should eventually
rest, i.e. in line with the top of the
compost, with your other hand, begin to
drop compost around the roots, tapping
the pot firmly as you do so to shake the
compost down amongst the roots, when the
compost is almost level with the leaves,
the jobs done, there may well be some
gaps which you can see through the side
of the clear plantpot, don't worry the
odd air chamber is beneficial to the
plant roots.
Golden Rules
Try to avoid repotting an orchid
which is in flower.
Best time is just after flowering,
but not sooner than 12 month intervals.
Let the compost soak in water
overnight before repotting.
If possible always use new plantpots,
or if you cannot wash the old one out
very thoroughly and rinse with boilding
water to kill any pathogens.
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