Q&A for How to Repot an Orchid

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  • Question
    What size pot should I use for my orchid?
    Harmony Corelitz
    Harmony Corelitz
    Plant Specialist
    Harmony Corelitz is a Plant Specialist and the Ecommerce Manager at Crimson Horticultural Rarities, Inc, a boutiue offering rare plants, flower arragements, and handmade goods. Harmony grew up helping her parents run their family business in plant maintenance and interior plantscaping. Harmony specializes in indoor plant care and interior plant design. Prior to her workwith Crimson Horticultural Rarities, she started her pop-up plant and vintage home goods shop called Younger Child and helped her former employer, Plants and Friends, grow and expand to two locations. She holds a BA from the University of San Francisco.
    Harmony Corelitz
    Plant Specialist
    Expert Answer
    If you're going to repot an orchid, you should put it in a pot that's 1-2 inches wider in diameter than its existing grow pot. They like to stay very compact in the soil—their structure is really held together by the roots.
  • Question
    What type of pot should I use for my orchid?
    Harmony Corelitz
    Harmony Corelitz
    Plant Specialist
    Harmony Corelitz is a Plant Specialist and the Ecommerce Manager at Crimson Horticultural Rarities, Inc, a boutiue offering rare plants, flower arragements, and handmade goods. Harmony grew up helping her parents run their family business in plant maintenance and interior plantscaping. Harmony specializes in indoor plant care and interior plant design. Prior to her workwith Crimson Horticultural Rarities, she started her pop-up plant and vintage home goods shop called Younger Child and helped her former employer, Plants and Friends, grow and expand to two locations. She holds a BA from the University of San Francisco.
    Harmony Corelitz
    Plant Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Orchids need a lot of aeration and drainage, so it's best to choose a pot that has holes in the side.
  • Question
    Can I grow an orchid in potting soil?
    Harmony Corelitz
    Harmony Corelitz
    Plant Specialist
    Harmony Corelitz is a Plant Specialist and the Ecommerce Manager at Crimson Horticultural Rarities, Inc, a boutiue offering rare plants, flower arragements, and handmade goods. Harmony grew up helping her parents run their family business in plant maintenance and interior plantscaping. Harmony specializes in indoor plant care and interior plant design. Prior to her workwith Crimson Horticultural Rarities, she started her pop-up plant and vintage home goods shop called Younger Child and helped her former employer, Plants and Friends, grow and expand to two locations. She holds a BA from the University of San Francisco.
    Harmony Corelitz
    Plant Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Orchids aren't typically grown in actual soil—they're going to be grown in sphagnum moss, a mix of bark, or orchid bark.
  • Question
    If my orchid plant has new leaves on the stalks, should I leave them alone, or can I plant them?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Leave the new stalks alone. Separating them may cause too much stress on the orchid.
  • Question
    My ice cube orchid is extremely dry. Should I soak the roots?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Not sure if you mean the roots seem dry, or the leaves of the plant or what, but if you are using the ice cube method of watering, it's probably not getting enough water. There are better ways to water. Hold the pot over the sink (or you can put it in a colander) and use a watering container with a spout to pour water over the roots. It will drain out quickly, as it should. I use a 2-quart watering container and pour the whole thing over the plant. Avoid wetting the leaves, but make sure you turn the pot so you are watering all the portions of the potting medium. Take note of how light the pot feels before and after you water it. This helps you to know when it needs water again.
  • Question
    If the root is pale white, should it be cut?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It's hard to say without a bit more information, but in general, if the root is firm and not mushy, it is healthy. Dead roots are usually mushy and brownish-colored. On many orchids, the roots becoming a more silvery or white color is an indication the plant is ready to be watered.
  • Question
    Can I repot my orchid when it flowers?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You shouldn't, because it needs to be settled to flower. If you do, it may have some issues.
  • Question
    How do I help plants that haven't been watered?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If your orchid has been neglected or dehydrated at the store, and the leaves and roots are limp or shriveled, water more often than usual to rehydrate. Water every other day until it recovers, but still keep it in a well draining potting mix and make sure it doesn't sit in water.
  • Question
    Can I replant more than one orchid in the same pot?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It's fine, as long as they don't fall on each other.
  • Question
    My orchid has finished flowering, and definitely needs repotting. Should I cut off the flower spikes as the flowers are now dead?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes! Cutting off the spikes helps the orchid, and will make it easier for it to flower again during it's next cycle.
  • Question
    My plant has beautiful new growth part way up what was a flower stem but there are no roots. The main plant is starting to weaken (leaves are softening and wrinkling). How do I manage the new growth and save the original plant?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The soft, wrinkly leaves are a symptom of root rot. Root rot is usually caused by overwatering. I'd make sure the pot is draining well, which means making sure you have a drainage hole, and making sure it's not sitting in water. You should also make sure to let the growing medium dry out in between waterings. Repotting might help if the growing medium is retaining too much water, or if you need to use a different pot that drains better.
  • Question
    I placed a small draining pot inside of a larger ceramic one to allow water to drain out but retain enough moisture for the roots. Is this acceptable for my orchid?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The best way to water orchids is simply to hold them in the sink and just let water run through them. The roots should never be sitting in water.
  • Question
    Why has one of the large leaves on my orchid split down the middle and what should I do?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Cut off the damaged portion. This may have happened because it is too dry.
  • Question
    How many bulbs should be planted in its new pot?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Three to five will allow for growth and an appropriate amount of energy, but the more the merrier!
  • Question
    If the large green leaves fell off the bottom of my plant, can it still be alive?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, and that may be a sign that the plant is overwatered if there are not any flowers, small tiny leaves, or buds. If the plant is overwatered, stop watering it until it is only lightly moist when you stick in the knuckle of your index finger, then go back to your normal watering routine. You may also supplement the orchid with plant food and/or completed compost.
  • Question
    Do orchids need fertilizing?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    They do. You can purchase orchid-specific fertilizer, and can follow the instructions for use on the bag.
  • Question
    How much light does an orchid need?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Not constant. Try to put your orchid in a north or east facing window to prevent sunburn on their leaves.
  • Question
    My moth orchids have never stopped re-flowering since I got them 2 years ago. I've looked after them really well but recently saw little white bugs (mealybugs). Because they don't stop flowering, I'm not sure when to re-pot them, or how. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Treat them with rubbing alcohol - gently wipe down or spray. You may have to repeat every 10 days for a while, but you need to get them under control. As soon as the plant stops flowering you might want to repot it, checking the roots carefully for damage/infestation as you do it. Google "orchids and mealy bugs" for better instructions.
  • Question
    What does it mean if my orchid petals are drooping?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Generally when orchids are overwatered, the leaves will shrivel and flowers will droop. Give it a few days to see if this evens out, once some of the water evaporates.
  • Question
    What can I do if my orchid's leaves have rotted off and the stem is turning yellow?
    Lois Wade
    Lois Wade
    Community Answer
    If none of it is green, it's dead. Compost it or throw it away.
  • Question
    How do I snip the moldy parts on the roots?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can cut off any mushy roots with disinfected scissors or a knife. Try not to damage other roots in the process though.
  • Question
    Do I cut the stem that the flowers were on?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Cut it only if it has become dry. If it is not dry, leave it - after some time it may have new branches/flowers.
  • Question
    Can I use fir bark from trees on my property? Should I sterilize it, and if so, how?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Sterilizing it is a good idea, with boiling water or even iodine. Putting the fir bark in the oven at a low temperature could help sterilize it.
  • Question
    The spikes the flowers grow on have died, what should I do?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If winter or summer are coming, the plant is fine. They only flower in cooler conditions.
  • Question
    What should I do with an orchid that hasn't flowered since I got it?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    They need specific conditions to flower. Being a tropical plant, they like humidity and indirect sunlight. Just keep giving it those conditions, and it'll be fine.
  • Question
    Can I split a big orchid, and if so, where do I cut it?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No, you do not split or cut the orchid in half, as that will harm the orchid or possibly kill it.
  • Question
    Can I put 2 orchids in the same pot?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    That's fine, as long as they do not lean or fall on each other.
  • Question
    Something is eating the leaves and the new buds when they appear. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can try gently wiping or spraying the plant with rubbing alcohol. You may have a bug infestation.
  • Question
    I received several orchids from a neighbor. They have large roots about 2 feet long. How should l repot them?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Do it quickly and carefully, for orchids are very delicate. Make sure the new pot is bigger than the original one.
  • Question
    My orchid has needed repotting for some time, but successive abundant flowering prevents this. How can I repot now to save my plant?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Repot it as normal, but cut off the flower spike, so it focuses its energy on growing new roots, and to minimize shock
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