How to Repot Orchids

Do you see orchids hiding something magical? The elegant flower stalks and gorgeous petals are indeed in harmony with the ancient forest, but they can also grow well indoors with little care. Repotting orchids will help keep the roots from being crowded so that the flowers can continue to bloom in the following years. Learn how to determine when your orchid needs to be repotted and how to transfer it to a new pot without damaging the roots.

Table of Contents

Get to know your orchid

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Determine when to repot. The ideal time to repot your orchid is right after the bloom ends and the plant begins to sprout new shoots. ^{[1] X Research Source} However, you do not need to repot every time; This work should only be done no more than once every 18-24 months. If you’re not sure when the last repotting was done and it seems like the plant is growing too large for the pot, it’s probably past the time to repot. Pay attention to the following signs to know if it’s time to repot your plant:

Many roots grow out of the pot. If you see roots – not just a thread or two – sticking out of the pot, your orchid needs more space, and it’s time for a larger repotting.
Some roots are rotten. If the roots are soggy and the medium (planting material) is no longer able to drain well, you will have to re-pot the orchid.
The plant grows out of the pot. If the overgrown branches protrude from the wall of the pot, it is in need of more space.

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Do not repot your orchid unless absolutely necessary. Over-zealous repotting can damage the plant’s growth cycle. Only repotting should be done when the tree shows obvious symptoms above. If you find that the plant is still growing healthy and fits into the pot you are growing, delay the time of repotting another year. A little cramped plant is better than repotting too soon. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Find the right type of substrate. Once you know when to repot your orchid, it’s also important to determine the type of orchid growing medium. Many indoor orchids are epiphytes (living on other plants) rather than terrestrial, meaning they do not grow on soil. ^{[3] X Research Source} These orchids will die if you plant them in normal soil.

The mixture of fir bark, moss, charcoal and coir is a suitable medium for many orchid species. The most common orchid species will grow well in the following mixture: ^{[4] X Research Source}
- 4 parts fir bark or coir
- 1 part charcoal
- 1 part perlite
If you don’t know exactly what type of orchid you have, you can purchase a prepackaged orchid growing mix that is safest for epiphytes. This mixture is available at many nurseries and gardening centers.
If you’re growing cycads (plants that live on soil), you’ll need loose, well-drained soil. Soil for orchids should have a high percentage of perlite and shavings. ^{[5] X Research Source} Ask the nursery about a particular mix that is suitable for your orchid.

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Determine the size of the pot to use. When repotting for orchids, you need a pot larger than the old pot, only about 2.5 cm. The plant needs more space, but it shouldn’t be too large – otherwise, the orchid will focus on growing roots and not flower for months. You can use plastic pots, clay pots or ceramic pots suitable for the size of the orchid.

Make sure the new pot has drainage holes. If the pot does not drain well, the orchid will rot. ^{[6] X Research Source}
Some orchids have photosynthetic roots. If growing phalaenopsis orchids, you should consider using glass pots or clear plastic pots to let sunlight through.
If you are planning on choosing a larger pot, you can add terracotta scraps to the bottom of the pot. This way, the potting mix in the middle of the pot, which is usually wet, will drain more efficiently.

Prepare the growing medium

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Measure out the required amount of media into a large bucket or bowl. Pour the mixture into the new pot, then place in another pot twice as large as the planter pot. To prepare the orchid growing medium, you will have to soak the water overnight. This will help keep enough moisture to supply the orchid. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

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Soak the substrate mixture with hot water. Then fill the bucket with hot water. Do not use cold water, as the potting mix will not absorb well. Make sure the medium is at room temperature before re-potting the plant.

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Filter the media mixture. You can use a kitchen sieve (which needs to be washed thoroughly afterwards) or a piece of cheesecloth to filter. Filter all the water so that only wet media remains. Rinse with warm water to remove dirt.

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Lift the orchid out of the old pot. Carefully lift the orchid, separate each root strand. If the roots are still stuck in the pot, cut them with scissors or a sterilized knife. It is important that the equipment is very clean, as orchids are often susceptible to disease.

You can disinfect your cutting tools by rubbing alcohol with alcohol.

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Remove old media and dead roots. Use your hands and clean scissors to prune the roots. Remove all the old media – charcoal, shavings, moss and the like. Use scissors to cut off any rotting roots, being careful not to damage the healthy parts of the plant.

The soft and drooping roots are probably dead, so you should remove them.
Use your fingers to separate each root strand to untangle.

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Prepare a new pot. If you’re using a pot that’s been planted before, you’ll need to rinse it with boiling water to remove toxins and kill potential pathogens. If the pot is wide and deep, you should line it with a layer of terracotta crumbs or packing foam to help increase drainage. If you are using a shallow pot, this step is not required.

Repotting orchids

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Place the plant in a new pot. Place the roots first towards the bottom of the pot, the new roots towards the wall of the pot, where there is plenty of room for the roots to grow. The upper roots are placed at the same depth as in the old pot. This means that the plant’s new shoots are on top of the pot, and most of the roots are underneath.

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Press the potting mix into the pot. Spread the potting mix around the roots. Shake the pot and pat the wall of the pot so that the potting mixture settles tightly around the roots, gently pressing with your hands to avoid damaging the roots. Make sure no large air pockets exist in the media. The part of the roots that is not covered will not be able to grow healthy.

You should spread the medium mixture little by little. Gently press around the roots with your hands, then spread more and so on.
Continue in this way until the pot is full.

Advice

Cover your workspace with old newspapers or plastic cloth.
If you find it difficult to lift the plant out of the pot, you may want to consider breaking the pot.

Warning

Always choose pots with drainage holes in the bottom. If water stagnates and becomes waterlogged, the roots can rot.
Do not randomly change the medium of orchids. If you think a certain type of medium is better for the plant, do your research and wait for the right time to repot.

Things you need

Pot
Orchid growing price
Water
Knife
Tree pruning tools
Packed styrofoam or terracotta crumbs
Tree clamps and stakes

Steps