Repotting Orchids – Learn How To Care For Orchids and Their Pots
To start, you need to get a new pot for your plant. You need to prepare this pot properly, or your time spent repotting orchids will be a waste! If you are recycling an old or used pot, soak it in a little bleach and water mixture. Once it is thoroughly soaked, rinse it and give it a efw days to dry out. You want it totally dry before you proceed. If the pot is brand new, just soak it in water for a little while.
You aren’t quite done with the pot yet. You need to add some plastic foam peanuts or small pebbles at the bottom of the planter. This makes sure your newly repotted orchid gets enough moisture.
Well, your orchid is ready for the big move now – right? Just turn the orchid upside down and gently tap on the sides of the pot. Sometimes the roots will stick to the side of the pot. Be careful and get a butter knife to loosen the roots from the side. If you damage a few roots, it won’t kill your plant, but do be careful and gentle.
Give your plant a gentle shake to loosen and drop off the dirt attached to the roots. Often some clumps will stay behind. Don’t worry about that – just be gentle and careful with your orchid while you are repotting it.
Repotting orchids is a great time to do a little below-the-earth care of your orchid. You need to take a little time and trim off any of the dead and rotting roots. You will know which ones are dead by the brownish color and mushy feeling. The healthy roots are white and firm. Once you have trimmed the roots you can place the orchid in the newly prepared pot.
As you are repotting orchids – make sure that you look at the new growth. You want it facing outward. You need to give the roots some room to grow.
If there is growth extending all directions, place the orchid in the middle of the pot. Pack your potting mix firmly around the orchid’s roots. The roots should be totally covered with dirt.
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