How to Repot and Change the Soil for Phalaenopsis Orchids, and Fertilizing Tips After Repotting
On the flower-growing journey, everyone hopes the plants they care for will bloom abundantly, yet when it comes to unlocking the door to lush blooms, many problems always come up, and among them, phalaenopsis orchid care problems are the most numerous. In particular, how should fertilizer be added after repotting so it does not lack nutrients all year round?
Repotting Time
Many veteran flower growers have experience repotting phalaenopsis orchids, because it is a plant that has been around for many years, and generally it needs to be given fresh soil about every 1-2 years. Doing so can avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble, because phalaenopsis orchid roots are relatively sensitive, and if the soil is not changed for a long time, compaction easily occurs. Therefore, in order to keep the roots unaffected, you should choose a loose, breathable soil medium for it, preferably a relatively breathable and stable medium such as bark or sphagnum moss.
Fertilizer After Repotting
After preparing the new soil medium, you can evenly mix in fertilizer rich in various nutrient elements. Here it is recommended to choose a specialized type for phalaenopsis orchids, because specialized fertilizers mostly contain essential elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and these trace elements and organic matter can make the phalaenopsis orchid's "new home" even better.
Steps for Adding Fertilizer
Many friends do not know how to add fertilizer when repotting, because the flower shop owner generally will not tell you. The correct steps are to first gently pat the roots of the phalaenopsis orchid so that old soil and dead roots are fully removed. Then, when repotting, still put a thin layer of specialized fertilizer at the bottom. After that, you can bury the phalaenopsis orchid roots into the new soil, and remember to press gently so that the fine root hairs are secured. Finally, water with a settling watering and it is all done.
How to Care for It After Repotting
Within 3-5 days after repotting, do not water too much; the soil only needs to remain moist. The placement should be in a well-ventilated spot with suitable light, and during care avoid direct strong winds, air-conditioning drafts and similar conditions. In short, observe the phalaenopsis orchid's growth state more and adjust the best care environment for it.
In conclusion, the best repotting time for phalaenopsis orchids is once every 1-2 years. During care, if you find that the phalaenopsis orchid roots show medium aging, rot and similar conditions, you may also consider repotting.