How to repot orchids? Things to note when repotting orchids
Changing the potting soil is a very important task in orchid growing. If the potting soil is changed well, the orchids will grow well. Generally, it is changed once a year (it can also be changed once every two or three years).
Image: Orchid
I. Repotting Time
Repotting is generally done around Qingming and the Autumn Equinox. After Qingming, seedlings and buds grow; after the Autumn Equinox, flower buds grow. Repotting at these two times is beneficial for orchids to sprout and bloom. Repotting is generally not suitable in summer and winter.
II. Preparation for Repotting
Do not water for 10 to 20 days before repotting, so that the potting soil is on the dry side. If the potting soil is wet when repotting, the orchid roots may be bent or broken, and the wounds will rot. At the same time, wet soil sticks to the pseudobulbs, making it hard to see new bud points, and the orchid's seedlings and flower buds may be rubbed off.
III. Removing Soil When Repotting
Use a wooden or bamboo strip to pry loose the soil at the edge of the pot, tilt the orchid pot to shake out the loose soil, and after the soil at the edge of the pot is basically shaken out, lift out the soil and the orchid together. If there are many orchid roots and prying the soil would stab and injure the orchid roots, break the pot to save the orchid; do not forcefully pull the orchid out of the pot.
Image: Root trimming
IV. Pruning ⟧13⟧After taking the orchid out when repotting, prune the roots and leaves. Cut off dead roots and rotten leaves. Some orchid roots have their fleshy layer dried and shed, leaving only a root core. Cut off root cores that have turned black; white-yellow ones are living root cores and should be kept, as they absorb water and support the orchid plant.
After taking the orchid out for repotting, the roots and leaves must be trimmed. Cut away the dead roots and rotten leaves. On some orchid roots, the fleshy layer has dried and fallen off, leaving only a root core. Cut away root cores that have turned black; those that are white or yellow are living root cores and must be kept, as they absorb water and support the orchid plant.
V. Repotting Again
When planting the orchid into the pot, position it according to the direction in which the orchid grows. The orchid's new shoots emerge on the side of the strong seedlings, and the side of the strong seedlings is the direction in which the orchid grows. When placing the orchid into the pot, the side of the old seedlings should be slightly toward the edge of the pot, and the side of the strong seedlings should face the center of the pot.
VI. Covering the Orchid with Soil
After the direction for placing the orchid into the pot is determined, begin covering with soil. Steady the orchid with one hand, and grab soil with the other hand to cover the orchid. When the soil reaches the upper part of the orchid roots, gently lift the orchid plant once to let the roots extend smoothly, and then cover with soil again. Control water when repotting. Before repotting orchids, the orchid pot is required to be on the dry side. After repotting, do not water immediately, and do not spray water either. Wait one week before watering and spraying.