How to Repot Orchid Plants Successfully (Essential Tips)

Orchids are popular houseplants thanks to their stunning, colorful flowers. However, orchids can be tricky to care for, especially when it comes to repotting. Repotting orchids incorrectly can severely disrupt their growth. In this article, I’ll share my essential tips on how to repot orchid plants successfully. 

How to Successfully Repot an Orchid Plant

Here’s my go-to guide to successfully repot an orchid plant:

1. The night before repotting your orchid, soak the fresh growing medium in hot water overnight.
2. Before repotting your orchid, drain the growing medium so it’s moist. This makes it easier to work and provides some moisture to help your orchid settle into its new pot.
3. Clean out the new pot with some warm, soapy water and let it dry.
4. Remove your orchid from its old pot and examine the root ball and clean off the old soil.
5. If your orchid has stiff, dry roots, soak the root ball for a few minutes in some room-temperature water. Snip off any damaged, dead, or rotting roots.
6. Position your orchid into its new pot and fill in around it with the fresh growing medium. Use a blunt knife or something similar to work the medium into any gaps between the roots.

Why Repotting Orchids Might Be Necessary

It can be challenging to know when to repot orchids. However, you can look for signs telling you when repotting is necessary. Orchids need repotting when they’ve outgrown their pot, or their potting mix has started breaking down.

If your orchid’s roots protrude from the pot, it needs repotting. Most types of orchids sold as houseplants are epiphytes that need chunky, well-draining growing mediums. If the growing medium is crumbling into smaller pieces, it’s a good idea to repot.

How Often Do Orchids Need Repotting?

Orchids grow fairly slowly and don’t need to be repotted often. In fact, many orchids like to be fairly pot-bound. Repot your orchids every one to three years, depending on the variety. Moving your orchid into a slightly bigger pot with some fresh growing medium helps it live for several years.

Best Times of Year to Repot Orchid Plants

The best time of year to repot your orchid is after it has finished flowering. This typically happens in spring or summer, with the ideal time being between May and July. However, only repot your orchid if it shows clear signs of outgrowing its current pot.

The Best Soil Mix to Use When Repotting Orchids

The best soil mix to use when repotting your orchid depends on your exact variety. Epiphytic orchids like Phalaenopsis or Vanda orchids need loose, chunky, well-draining mediums. The best soil mix for epiphytic orchids is a 5:1:1 mix of bark fines, perlite, and sphagnum peat moss.

Lithophytic orchids need a 3:1 mix of standard orchid mix and small pebbles. For terrestrial orchids, combine standard orchid mix with perlite or sand in equal amounts.

What Tools Will I Need When Repotting an Orchid?

Here are the primary tools that you’ll need when repotting orchid plants:

• A clean new pot that’s 1 or 2 inches larger than the old one
• A fresh growing medium that’s been moistened
• Newspaper or something similar to protect your work surface
• Sharp, sterile scissors or secateurs
• A blunt knife or dowel

Sizes and Types of Potting Vessel Considerations

When repotting orchids, it’s essential to choose the right type of potting vessel. Epiphytic orchids like Phalaenopsis typically require a clear plastic pot as they photosynthesize using their roots. This also allows you to monitor the roots, making knowing when to water your orchid easier.

Never put epiphytic orchids in terracotta pots, as the roots will cling to the sides. This makes it harder to remove the orchid next time you need to repot. However, you can use terracotta or traditional plastic pots for terrestrial orchids.

When repotting an orchid, don’t choose a container that’s too large, as this can shock the plant. Choose a new pot that’s about 1 or 2 inches bigger than the old one. Always use pots with plenty of drainage holes to allow excess water to drain.

Post-Repotting Care

Once you’ve repotted your orchid, care for it in the same way as you did before. Position your orchid somewhere that gets approximately six hours of bright, indirect light every day. Maintain daytime temperatures between 75 and 85ºF and moderate humidity levels between 40 and 70%.

Let your orchid acclimatize to its new pot for a week or so before watering it again. Fertilize your orchid once in the spring and again in the summer to provide plenty of nutrients.

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Repotting Orchids FAQs:

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Wrapping Up

Orchids should only be repotted when absolutely necessary to avoid unnecessary stress. Repot your orchid if its roots are growing out of its current pot or its growing medium is breaking down. These beneficial plants don’t mind being root-bound and only need repotting every one to three years. The new potting vessel should only be an inch or two larger than your orchid’s current pot.

For more, see our in-depth guide to the meaning and symbolism of orchid plants and everything you need to know about whether orchids are pet friendly and the best orchid plant delivery services.

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