How To Repot An Orchid, According To An Expert

Once the specialty of only an exclusive group of gardeners, moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) are more commonly becoming a common houseplant. As exotic as they look, they are relatively easy to grow as long as you maintain the right conditions. But almost every new orchid grower gets a little skittish when it comes time to repot their plant. As a general rule of thumb, orchids should be repotted every one to two years to keep the plant healthy and help it grow.

Should I Repot My Orchid?

Timing is important in order to ensure success. There are three major signs to look for when determining if you should repot a moth orchid or not. First, if you see white roots popping out between the holes in the container, this is a sure sign that your orchid has outgrown its home.

Second, repotting is also necessary when the potting mix begins to break down. Instead of growing in soil like most houseplants, orchids survive in a container of large, loose materials such as bark, moss, and charcoal. Over time, the larger chunks break down into smaller pieces causing inadequate drainage. Change out the potting mix every couple of years to give the roots the air they need.

The third sign to look for is tightly tangled roots. A gardener new to growing orchids might mistake the naturally tangled growing pattern of the roots as a sign that their orchid is root-bound and in need of repotting. As long as roots are loosely twisting and overlapping, which is the normal growth pattern for moth orchids, you can wait to repot. Tightly tangled roots, however, indicate that your orchid needs repotting, which will provide the plant with the nutrients it needs to flourish and bloom.

When to Repot An Orchid

Never repot an orchid while it's flowering or you risk losing the blooms. The best time to repot is just after blooming has finished, usually in the spring.

What You Need

• Orchid pot
• Orchid potting mix
• Small pruners or snips
• Rubbing alcohol and paper towels
• Wooden skewer or chopstick
• Garden gloves
• Watering can
  

Picking the Best Pot

Pick a pot that works well for orchids. Choose a new pot that's one size larger (an inch or two wider) than the one before. You can use a terra-cotta pot, but look for specialized orchid planters, which have holes all around the sides; these are designed to increase the air circulation in the roots.

If your orchid hasn't outgrown its pot, but the bark mixture is decomposing and needs to be replaced, you can clean out the pot and reuse it.

Repotting Your Orchid

1. Sterilize your potting tools: Orchids are very susceptible to disease, so sterilize everything—gardening tools, pot, etc.—that will come in contact with your orchid during the repotting process. Wipe with rubbing alcohol or a 10% bleach solution.
2. Remove and prep the orchid: Put on your gloves, then gently pull the old pot away from the plant and brush away bark from the roots. You can rinse the roots to help with removal. Use sharp, sterilized snips to cut off any brown or rotting roots.
3. Fill the pot and place the plant: Add some potting mix to the bottom of the pot, and hold the plant so that the base is almost at the top of the pot. The leaves of the orchid should be level with the top. Then fill in around the roots with more orchid potting mix.
4. Integrate roots and soil: Use your fingers and a wooden skewer or chopstick to help work the potting mix in between the roots. You want the orchid to be snug in its pot.
5. Water: Thoroughly soak the pot in the sink with a watering can until water runs out of the bottom. Wait a week or two before watering again.

Taking Care of Orchids After Potting

Moth orchids are good orchids for beginners because they do not require too much time, says Kate Santos, associate vice president of science at Longwood Gardens, an 1,100-plus-acre botanical garden in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. But there are still plant-care basics to follow.

Moth orchids like bright, indirect light, preferably an east-facing window, with indoor home temperatures of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 60 degrees at night. Feed with an orchid fertilizer following package instructions. Let potting mix dry out between watering; do not overwater.