When To Re-Pot An Orchid

If you are on the fence about re-potting your orchid I hope this post helps. There are a few things to consider before uprooting an orchid: how long has your orchid been in its current planting medium and has the orchid become too cramped in its current pot size? These are both very important factors and both can have a damaging affect on an orchid.

This orchid definitely needs to be re-potted into a larger pot. The pictured pot is a two inch pot and its new pot is a three inch pot. When going up in pot size for orchids, it is recommended to increase it by no more than an inch in diameter. Orchids like to be snug in their pots, some other plants don't like to be root-bound but orchids don't have as big an issue with it. Some orchids won't bloom until they feel secure in their pot. All they will do is put out more roots until the plant feels secure in the pot. One test to see if you've made your orchid secure enough is to lift up on the plant and if it doesn't move or even brings the pot up with it you've done a good job. Keep in mind if you've planted your orchid in a heavy pot don't pull too hard on your plant!

If you've had your orchid for a few years in the same planting medium it is time to re-pot. Orchids are planted in either bark or moss. These mediums are used because orchids don't like to be covered in little pieces of soil. Orchid roots need to be able to breath, basically when you water an orchid you are creating humidity in the spaces around the roots. After a few years the bark will break down into smaller pieces and suffocate your orchid. Moss breaks down as well and compacts over time and the roots will get tiny pieces stuck to them. When you re-pot an orchid that has been in moss make sure to gently clean off all the little pieces. Make sure to do this with orchids potted in bark as well, I just have not run in to quite the same amount of little pieces stuck to the roots.

I hope this helps you pick which side of the fence you're on!

~Happy Planting!