Place your orchid into the new pot and add fresh potting medium around it, tapping the pot firmly on a table or other flat surface to distribute the bark or moss evenly around the roots. When the orchid is anchored into place, arrange a layer of orchid potting mix over the top of the roots and water well.
Comments 2 Add Comment. View Comments. February 17, Do orchids need to be reported in a clear plastic pot, like what they come in?
January 29, Thank you so much for this information. I was given an orchid a year ago and I know it needs repotting, but was never sure how to accomplish this.
Because of your information, I will now be able to repot it and keep it alive. Back to story Comment on this project.
Smaller sized nuggets work best for smaller orchids and finer roots, like mini orchids. Being an organic medium, fir bark does decompose rather fast. Depending on your environment, orchids in fir bark need repotting every years.
Sphagnum moss is another favorite potting medium. There are different types of sphagnum moss available in the market — pick a good quality one.
So far, the New Zealand variety has been most praised among the orchid growers. The downside of sphagnum moss is that it degrades faster. It compresses over time which stops the airflow. Once this happens, you need to repot the plant. Many orchid growers use sphagnum moss mixed with other orchid potting mediums, for its water-holding qualities. It can also be used as a top layer, for mediums that tend to dry out too fast — the moss top layer will help hold some moisture in.
Coconut husk chunks provide a very water-retentive growing medium. The chunks are light in weight and provide enough airflow to the roots. Coconut husk fiber is also very water-retentive. I like to drop a few clay pebbles Leca in the bottom of the pot for extra drainage. Even a few packing peanuts will do. Charcoal is a long-lasting organic growing medium for orchids.
Charcoal is sold as different sized chunks, from fine to large. Charcoal used as the potting medium is basically carbonized wood.
Lava rock is a fast-draining orchid medium that never rots or decomposes. The rocks are quite heavy. They hold water but only a little. Lava rocks are sold in different sizes. When selecting the right size for your orchids, remember; the larger the stone, the bigger the air pockets, the less moisture it retains. They do have a slight cooling effect, so if you live in a very cold climate, that might be something to take into consideration when using lava rocks as a potting medium.
Perlite is volcanic glass, that has been popped up like popcorn. They look like small sugar granules. Species which derive from higher altitudes can be sufficiently tolerant of cold and able to be grown outside their native zone but for best success, humidity of the ambient air needs to be addressed.
The ambient conditions such as temperature and dryness of the air outside the growing structure are important. If the humidity is high and temperatures are dropping, condensation will result. Condensation on flowers may cause damage so it is essential that misting be done early in the day rather than late.
Plants such as the Oncidiinae, the Vandaceous group and Paphiopedilums often are cold tolerant but can languish if the humidity is not improved. Humidity is controlled by air-flow and watering. The simple expedient of blocking off some of the air flow, even if on one side of the growing structure, will instantly result in higher humidity. Ambient humidity is generally below the ideal for orchids in most areas of Australia except for the far North.
The higher humidity of enclosed or partially enclosed structures means there is fewer requirements for watering and that watering or misting results in a more persistent elevation of ambient humidity around the plants. If you are living in an area that has low humidity, providing artificial humidity for your orchid is one of the most important methods to keep them healthy. Adjusting humidity could be accomplished by misting your plant from time to time, by placing a humidity tray underneath its pot and controlling the air flow into the orchid growing structure.
A balance between light, heat and humidity has to be achieved for optimal culture. When it is imbalanced, the growing environment for orchids needs some improvement. Heat and Humidity : Closing up the growing space restricts airflow and increases humidity and temperature.
Humidity can be increased with frequency of watering or misting but unless some containment of the humidity is provided, it is lost quickly if the outside air is hot and dry. Temperatures can rise quickly in a glasshouse when in full sunlight if no cool air replaces the heated air within. For this reason, most hobby growers ventilate their glasshouses during daylight and close them up at sunset, in all but the coldest climates.
Heat and Light : They are inextricably linked to each other and are largely controlled by shading and controlling airflow. Generally speaking, orchids are light-hungry plants and should get 12 to 14 hours of light everyday throughout the year. Natural light always comes with heat, however, in the tropical area, the duration and intensity of natural light does not change as frequently as it does in temperate climates. Therefore, you may have to move your orchids around, by placing them inside or outside of a shade house or alternatively provide the orchids with artificial light to keep them happy in winter.
Shriveled or spongy brown and black roots are a sign of rot, so cut down on watering. In general, douse plants early in the day with tepid water once a week in winter and twice a week in warmer weather. Water until the water runs out of the pot freely; this also flushes out any naturally occurring salts. When indoor air is dry, spray orchids with tepid water to keep the humidity up. Terrestrials prefer to be kept slightly more damp than epiphytes.
Fertilizing As a general rule, fertilize orchids every 2 weeks during peak growth spring and summer and once a month during dormancy fall and winter.
Use a fertilizer or orchid food, diluted to half strength. Approaching bloom, play it safe with a balanced fertilizer, such as During this time, when you should reduce or stop fertilizing, plants strengthen their root systems, grow leaves, and stockpile energy for their next growth spurt and bloom.
Typically, an orchid can rebloom every 8 to 12 months. Aphids: Look for clear sticky droplets anywhere on your plant. Scale: Check on the undersides of the leaves near the middle vein of the leaf or on the edges of the leaf.
Note, when rub off these pests, note that they have hard scaly shell that must be penetrated or broken. Mealybugs: Look for a white cottony mass on the top right petal and column. Multiple insecticide treatments are usually necessary to get rid of it. Use the natural treatments suggested above. Or, turn to Orthene Acephate for most severe infestations.
Thrips: These tiny gnat-like creatures that look like light streaks on the flowers or stippling on the leaves. The flower buds are also usually deformed. Neem is usually effective. Spider mites: These tiny guys show up as fine webbing on the leaves or a stippling effect. Wash off with strong stream of warm soapy water.
Then spray with Insecticidal Soap. Snails and Slugs come out at night and leave a slimy trail so if you suspect them, take a flashlight in the evening to search for these culprits.
Look under your pots, too. Crown rot causes the center growing poit to turn black or rot. Leaf Spot is the damage that most fungal and bacterial diseases leave behind are circular or oblong spots on the foliage or flowers. Dendrobium Dyed Orchids You may occasionally see Phalaenopsis orchids with neon blue or bright orange flowers for sale in stores. Fragrant Orchids Some orchids have an amazing fragrance.
Orchid Babies Many orchids produce babies! Did You Know? Vegetable Gardener's Handbook. What do you want to read next? Everything You Need to Know Before Orchid Care: Watering, Light, For the Love of Orchids. The Best Flowers for Bees. Christmas Cactus. Tips and Treats. Amazing Air Plants: How to Care of Christmas Cactus, Thanksgiving Flowering Houseplants to Brighten Growing Clivia. Hi, Wendy, We took this question to a cooperative extension service: While it is normal for the oldest leaves of moth orchids Phalaenopsis to turn yellow and dry up as they age, when there is uniform yellowing and shriveling of newer leaves, it is a sign of distress.
Hope this helps!
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