Lets get started! First you must get your new pot ready. Repotting orchids is pretty easy if you do the right thing. If you decide to use an old pot or recycled pot for your orchids - you need to prepare the pot itself. You can get a used/old pot ready by soaking it with a little bleach and water concoction. Once you have soaked it - make sure you rinse it off, and let it dry completely over a few days. If the pot is new - just soak it in water for 10-15 minutes.
After the pot is ready, you need to get the inside ready with a good-sized layer of plastic foam. The plastic foam peanuts work great when repotting orchids. Place the peanuts at the bottom of the pot. It helps the new repotted orchid’s roots get adequate drainage. This is important for your orchid to thrive. You can also wet the potting mix. It is best to do that with boiling water. Let the soil set and cool back down. Then add the soil to the pots.
Once you are ready, unpot the orchid by turning the plant upside down and gently thumping the sides of the pot. It is common for the roots to stick to the pot in places, but you can use a butter knife to get them loose. Try to be careful, but it is not a huge deal if you accidentally damage the roots a little.
Now, gently shake the dirt embedded in the roots loose. Some will not fall off - that is ok. Just be careful and loosen what you can.
Repotting orchids is a great time to do a little below-the-earth care of your orchid. You need to take a little time and trim off any of the dead and rotting roots. You will know which ones are dead by the brownish color and mushy feeling. The healthy roots are white and firm. Once you have trimmed the roots you can place the orchid in the newly prepared pot.
As you are repotting orchids - make sure that you look at the new growth. You want it facing outward. You need to give the roots some room to grow.
If there is growth extending all directions, place the orchid in the middle of the pot. Pack your potting mix firmly around the orchid’s roots. The roots should be totally covered with dirt.
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