It might be time to take them out of their original container if they seem to have grown way too big for the pot in which they are in. If the pot starts to seem a little shaky, or if it begins leaning in a strange direction, then this is probably because you need a new one.
The general rule of thumb is that your flower shouldn't extend very far out from the perimeter of the pot because it will destabilize it. You certainly don't want your plant to end up breaking and for its contents to spill out. If that happens there might not be much you can do to save your orchids.
Other symptoms that point to an urgent need in knowing how to replant your orchid
If the water no longer drains the same way it used to then it is very possible that you need a larger pot. What could be happening is that the roots are taking up too much room and are compacting the dirt to the point where it is much harder for the water to seep through and drain out of the bottom. If you experience any of these occurrences then it is about time you repot and replant your orchid.
Stage 1 - Get The Appropriate Potting Mix
A huge part of knowing how to replant your orchid is picking the right potting mix so that your orchid will have a home in which to grow. Do not confuse soil and potting mix because there is a huge difference since potting mix can include a host of other materials like dead plants, chunks of wood, and charcoal.There are many different kinds of mixes and you should tailor yours to the specifications of your own specific type of orchid in order to maximize its growth and healthiness. Don't be afraid to create your own mix either! In fact, creating it yourself can sometimes give you much better results.
The reason you cannot use regular soil with orchids is because you need to give them much more room to grow. Soil is too compact and therefore constrains the growth of your orchid's roots.
However, when you add gravel and other things to the soil or other nutritional materials they create more air pockets that allow it to breathe. Another reason is that too soil soaks up too much water. You need a mix that will hold the right amount of moisture and let most of the water pass through the drain at the bottom.
Be careful! if you don't replant your orchids when they are ready you could kill them or stunt their growth!
Stage 2 - Getting The Mix Ready For Your Orchid's
After you have decided what kind of potting mix you want to use and have purchased it you are ready to begin making it orchid-friendly. First of all, you need to get a container that can hold two times the amount of mix you have decided on.This is because you will be adding water next and you do not want your contents to overflow. When adding water, make sure there is enough to soak every ounce of the potting mix you have selected. It also helps to use water that is warm or close to boiling because it will soak deeper and make sure that your mix contributes as much as it can.
Make sure that when you are about to do this that you are prepared to give it some time. This is not something that you can get out of the way in an hour. You need to allow your mix to marinate in the water for roughly 10 – 12 hours to make sure that it is ready. After that process is done, the mix is ready to be filtered and put through a large strainer. After that just remove any leftover dust and it can now be used!
Stage 3 - Placing The Plant In Its New Home
After this section you will never have to worry about not knowing how to replant your orchid. You will be an expert and be able to spread your knowledge of how to replant orchids to others around you. So let’s begin.Your plant must first be freed from the pot that it currently occupies. Be careful not to damage the plant as you attempt to get it out. Try to pry it out from different sides like you would the top of a glass bottle. Afterwards make sure to comb through the orchid to take off any dead material or roots.
Healthy roots will be strong and hard to the touch. If you spot a lot of good roots then you need to find a bigger pot in which to place the orchid. If the majority of the roots do not look good then the orchid either needs more time or it was placed in a pot that was too large. Resolve this by choosing an identically sized pot or a smaller one. At this point you can add broken pieces of material to help drain future water if you wish.
Caution - putting your orchids in a pot that is way too big can severely damage the roots. Make sure to check whether you have the right size!
Stage 4 - Finalizing The Replanting
Those who know how to replant orchids place the orchid in the new pot just as deep as it was in the former pot. Any new and growing parts of the orchid should fall short of crossing the imaginary lid at the top of the pot.Make sure that the mix you just prepared surrounds the orchid tightly and securely. It would be a shame if you left it wobbly because that would cause it to grow improperly. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty! Use whatever means necessary to make sure it is correctly positioned and held by the mix.
The last step is to find a sturdy wooden stick or stake to lend support to the growing orchid. Try to get your hands on some string or anything else that will help you fasten all of the leads to the stake. There are different ways you can go about this but that won't be covered here. Congratulations, you now know how to replant orchids!
| Stage | What to do |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Figure out potting mix |
| Stage 2 | Make the potting mix ready |
| Stage 3 | Take out plant from original pot and clean it |
| Stage 4 | Place plant firmly in potting mix and use stake for support |
What is your favorite popular potting mix for your orchids?
- Aliflor
- Gravel
- Bark
- Styrofoam
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