Replanting Orchid Roots on the Surface

Replanting Time

• Repot orchids every two years, or when their roots grow up out of the pot. If orchids stop growing or blooming, or if their roots expand over the top of their soil, they may need a larger pot. Repot orchids during a growth period for quicker, more successful establishment.

Pot and Potting Media

• Move the orchid to a pot one size larger than its old pot. Always use pots with drainage holes because orchids rot in standing water. Choose a new non-soil foundation such as fern matter, peat moss, wood chips, gravel, pine bark or coir to give the orchid roots the air circulation they need. Fill the new pot one-half to two-thirds full of your new potting medium.

Replanting Process

• Turn the orchid's pot on its side and tap it firmly to loosen the potting media and root ball. Pull the orchid from the pot, brush away old potting material and cut off any dead or rotten roots. Leave green, juicy roots attached. Spread these roots over the surface of the new potting medium and pack more material over the roots to plant the orchid. Add enough material to reach the orchid's crown, or base of its foliage.

Support

• Push bamboo stakes into the new potting foundation to secure the foundation and support any flower stalks. If the orchid already has flower stalks, clip them to these stakes. Put the orchid back in its growing location and water it with 1 inch of water every two days. Put the orchid on a schedule of water-soluble 10-50-10 fertilizer every week during the growing season to enhance blooming.