REPOTTING YOUR ORCHIDS

Did you know?
In 1731, an English botanist received a dried herbarium species from New Providence in the Bahamas. "The tuber appearing to have life in it," he potted and carefully nurtured the plant. It revived, and the next year brought forth handsome pink- and rose-colored flowers. This was Bletia purpurea.
The name and date are worth noting, for this was the first tropical orchid to flower in England, foreshadowing a mania for orchids that nearly rivaled the tulip madness that swept the Netherlands during the 17th century.
NGM, April 1971
Let's the conversation about repotting orchids get started. First of all, we should always take into consideration what the plant requirements are & what conditions you can provide. The golden rule is that a healthy root system leads to a healthy plant. At this point I'm going to highlight the next few things:
1. When to Repot
2. Cutting Tools & Hygiene
3. Pots & Other Containers

4. Potting Mixes

 When to repot orchids is important in order to ensure success.
repotting gives the opportunity to cut away dead roots. It's also a good time to divide a plant if it has become too large, or if division is needed for some reasons.

 All orchids potted in a typical bark medium need to be repotted every 18-24 months

 The most common ways that we spread viruses are on cutting tools,  through exchange of fluids, and sucking insects.

 Clear plastic pots are popular because one can see what's going on with roots and moister content. They are cheap and light and easy to clean.
Clay pots are heavier and therefore more stable, dry out more quickly, and keep the roots cooler when it's very hot.

 before using any potting media let it soak overnight.

Some tips.

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.
Cutting off the spikes helps the orchid, and will make it easier to flower again during its next cycle.
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.