Tips on How to Repot Orchids

Choose a planting container that will hold the orchid for about two years of growth, about 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter than the current container.

Boil about 6 cups of water and pour it into a container holding the orchid potting bark. Let the bark absorb the water for two minutes and then drain off the excess water. Let the potting bark cool before using. This will hydrate the bark to provide moisture to the orchids.

Prepare the area by laying newspaper on the work surface to contain the mess. Wash all tools and the new planting container with a disinfectant made from nine parts water and one part household bleach. Rinse the items with water and let them dry before using.

Fill the bottom layer of the new planting container with clean stones or broken pieces from a clay pot to help with water drainage and prevent root rot.

Remove the orchid from the container by holding the plant stem at the top of the root ball. Flip the container upside-down and tap the bottom of the container to loosen the mass. Clip roots sticking out of the drainage holes if they are preventing the root mass from coming out of the container.

Shake the orchid root mass lightly to remove clumps of composted potting mix. This opens the root system and reduces the risk of the plant getting root rot.

Make a small pile of potting bark at the bottom of the container and set the orchid root mass on top so the roots fan over the bark. Fill and lightly pack potting bark around the roots to hold the plant in place and upright without damaging the delicate root system. Keep the top root rhizome of the orchid just under the top layer of potting bark. Avoid adding potting mixture from the old container if it fell off the root mass.

Install a support stake in the growing container and carefully tie the stem to keep the plant upright while the root system establishes in the new container.

Set the orchid in an area with shaded light while the roots establish. Mist the plant and potting bark two times a day until you see new root or stem growth. Move the orchid to an area with indirect sunlight after root establishment.