When In Australia Should I Transplant Orchids?

Repotting an orchid is a crucial process for maintaining healthy growth. It involves gently pulling the plant out of its pot and removing any dead or damaged growth. Most orchids require repotting every two years, but there are exceptions. Repot the orchid when it finishes flowering into fresh orchid mix, giving them the best chance at a successful growth. Once repotted, take the orchid outside and give it a long soak to settle everything in and rehydrate the roots.

If your orchid is growing well, expect to need to double or triple your collection. Repot every 2-4 years in spring and divide bulbs. Graham Ross shows how to expand your collection easily. Cymbidium orchids are traditionally repotted in late spring, after the flowering season is over. However, some prefer to stick with tradition and repot those plants that need it.

The best time to repot orchids is after they bloom, when new roots have appeared but haven’t grown longer than 1/2 inch. Repotting can be either a time to divide the plants or move them on to a new container. In Australia, this usually happens between October and November.

Repotting is essential for maintaining the health and longevity of your orchids. It is important to follow the guidelines provided by Millie and Millie’s guide to repotting orchids, as well as to consider the specific needs of your orchids.

Should I water my orchid from the top or bottom?

Orchids grown in sphagnum moss can be watered from the top like other plants, but it may be easier to soak them in a sink or basin to allow them to rehydrate. Sphagnum moss holds on to moisture longer than bark chips, so it may feel dry on the surface but still be damp inside the pot. Overwatering is easier if the orchids are in a plastic, glazed ceramic, or glass pot that retains water longer. If the orchids start to show brown or squishy roots, hold off on watering.

Rainwater or melted snow is the best water for orchids, as it contains nitrogen and is free of chemicals used to treat tap water. Regular tap water is fine if not softened with salts. Room temperature water is best, but ice cubes can be used to water the orchids without harming the plant. Place up to three ice cubes on top of the potting medium once a week, ensuring enough moisture to keep the orchid thriving.

Why are orchids always in clear pots?

Clear plastic pots are popular among orchid growers due to their ability to mimic the light exposure in nature, making it easier to check potting media moisture before watering. Ceramic pots, decorated with colorful glaze or artwork, are decorative and can be used with a simple plastic pot for added aesthetics. Mesh orchid pots, made of woven plastic or fiber, are basketlike containers that loosely hold roots and potting media, allowing air and water to pass through. These pots are best in humid environments to prevent plants from drying out too quickly.

Should I soak my orchid before repotting?

To repot sickly orchids, soak them in a fungicide before repotting to increase their chances of survival. If repotting multiple plants, use fresh soaking baths to prevent cross-contamination. Remove old sheaths, which are unsightly and conducive to scale, mites, and aphids, using an old toothbrush and a quick soak or heavy misting. Soak the plant in clean water for 5 minutes or mist it thoroughly, allowing it to loosen and be easily removed. Only loose parts should be removed to avoid damaging the stems. If growing orchids outside, try this trick after heavy rain. This will help maintain the fresh appearance of the plants.

What is a good thing to do when repotting orchids?

To repot an orchid, sterilize all potting tools and materials, wiping them with rubbing alcohol or a 10 bleach solution. Remove the old pot and brush away bark from the roots, using a rinsing solution to remove any brown or rotting roots. Fill the pot with potting mix, ensuring the base is almost at the top, and fill in around the roots with more mix. Use fingers and a wooden skewer or chopstick to work the potting mix in between the roots, ensuring the orchid is snug in its pot.

After repotting, soak the pot in the sink for a week or two before watering again. Moth orchids are good for beginners as they require less time, but they require bright, indirect light, an east-facing window, and indoor home temperatures of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 60 degrees at night. Feed them with an orchid fertilizer following the package instructions, and let the potting mix dry out between watering. Do not overwater.

Should you soak orchid roots before repotting?

Repotting can be stressful for plants, so it’s essential to give them a boost with a good soak. Mix a small amount of plant food with water and soak your bare-rooted orchid for 15 minutes to generate new root growth. If your orchid is sick, soak it in a fungicide for survival. If repotting multiple plants, use fresh soaking baths between them to avoid cross-contamination. Brush away old sheaths, which are unsightly and provide an excellent home for scale, mites, and aphids. Repotting provides an opportunity to clean up these sheaths and give your plants a fresh appearance.

Do you bury air roots when repotting orchids?

It is advisable to avoid replanting potting aerial roots that have fallen off a circuit, as they are likely to perish. As an alternative, the roots can be severed in order to avert further deterioration.

Do orchids need bigger pots as they grow?

Orchids should be repotted every 2-3 years, when they start to push out new root growth. The size of the pot depends on the orchid’s growth rate and the size of the clump and root mass. For most orchids, a pot with a top diameter about a third to a half of the plant’s height is suitable. Clay pots can be used to repot orchids, as they last for many years and can be used over and over. Clay pots dry out the medium faster, preventing rot in the inner root system.

They also remove mineral salts from the mixture, leaving fertilizer salt residue on the outer surface. Clay pots also help measure moisture levels, and it is important not to over-pot. All orchids need oxygen around their roots, and smaller pots have more external surface area for air exchange. It is better to under-pot than over-pot, as too large pots can result in rotting the inner core of roots. More information on re-potting can be found in the guide Potting and Dividing Orchids and Orchid Care Guides.

Do orchids need special soil when transplanting?

In order to repot an orchid, it is necessary to transfer the plant to a larger pot and add a new orchid potting mix. The potting mixture should be specifically formulated for orchids and should contain sphagnum moss, fir bark, coconut husk, and tree fern fibers. Once the orchid has been repotted, return it to its original location and resume the usual watering regimen.

Do orchids like big or small pots?

Orchids should be repotted every 2-3 years, when they start to push out new root growth. The size of the pot depends on the orchid’s growth rate and the size of the clump and root mass. For most orchids, a pot with a top diameter about a third to a half of the plant’s height is suitable. Clay pots can be used to repot orchids, as they last for many years and can be used over and over. Clay pots dry out the medium faster, preventing rot in the inner root system.

They also remove mineral salts from the mixture, leaving fertilizer salt residue on the outer surface. Clay pots also help measure moisture levels, and it is important not to over-pot. All orchids need oxygen around their roots, and smaller pots have more external surface area for air exchange. It is better to under-pot than over-pot, as too large pots can result in rotting the inner core of roots. More information on re-potting can be found in the guide Potting and Dividing Orchids and Orchid Care Guides.

What month do you repot orchids?

In spring, it’s crucial to regularly inspect your orchids for repotting, as they’re most likely to show signs of emergence from their dormant cycle. Many orchids, especially those with sphagnum moss, are susceptible to root rot due to its water-absorbing properties. Repotting all new orchids after blooming is essential. Orchids require nutrients from the bark mix and air space, which breaks down to particle size, compacting the air spaces inside the pot. Regularly check the bark mix and repot when decomposition occurs.