Categories: Blog

How to Repot Phalaenopsis Orchid

Phalaenopsis orchids are some of the most beautiful and widely available orchids available, and they also live for many years. There are two reasons that an orchid owner needs to repot her Phalaenopsis orchid: either it has clearly outgrown its container, or the potting medium has disintegrated and must be changed. Typically, the moth orchid should be repotted after the flowering season has ceased, often in the springtime, as the shock of being repotted can cause the Phalaenopsis orchid to drop its blooms if it is in bloom.

Gather Phalaenopsis Orchid Supplies

The first step in repotting a moth orchid plant is to gather all of the supplies needed for repotting. A new orchid pot is needed and many online retailers or greenhouses sell orchid-specific clear, ventilated pots available for orchids that work well. Fresh Phalaenopsis orchid mix is also needed to replace the old potting medium and is also available from any orchid-specific greenhouse or online retailer. Also necessary is a pair of disinfected clippers, a label, and plain grocery store cinnamon.

Remove Orchid Pot

Gently remove the phalaenopsis orchid from its old orchid pot careful not to pull on its roots. If the orchid plant is not easily removed from its old pot, soak the orchid plant in warm water until the old medium is loosened from the pot. Then, carefully remove the orchid plant from its pot and brush off the old orchid potting mix, taking care not to harm the delicate Phalaenopsis orchid roots. When all of the old Phalaenopsis orchid potting mix has been removed, it’s time to assess the orchid roots.

Remove Dead Phalaenopsis Orchid Roots

After all of the old moth orchid potting mix has been removed, it’s time to remove the old dead, brown and mushy roots. The cuts should be made with the clippers just above where the dead tissue stops in the healthy green tissue. Once the dead root is removed, the end of the root should be sprinkled with the cinnamon, which acts as a bactericide and a fungicide and should help to prevent any infections.

Repot Orchid Plant

Now it’s time to repot the Phalaenopsis orchid in a brand new pot that should allow for adequate new root growth. The new orchid potting mix should be soaked in warm water and then packed somewhat loosely around the root system of the phalaenopsis orchid. The orchid potting mix can be packed more or less tightly depending on how much support the phalaenopsis orchid root system requires. The more densely the orchid potting mix is packed, however, the more water the orchid potting mix will retain.

Label Phalaenopsis Orchid

The last step in repotting any type of orchid plant is to label the plant with the type of orchid, the date it was repotted, and the date it last bloomed. This will help to keep track of when the plant will need to be repotted again and will indicate when the orchid flowering spike should be expected to emerge.

Resources:

Orchid Repotting Clinic

Care for Moth Orchids

Recent Posts

  • Blog

15 Best Garden Seeders

Most homeowners have probably spent hours looking at the different types of garden seeders. You may have even come across…

  • Blog

15 Best Garden Hose Foam Guns

When it comes to vehicle lovers, cleaning their cars on a regular basis is essential to maintaining the paint job's…

  • Blog
  • Reviews

15 Best Gas Chainsaws in 2021

Gas chainsaws are the perfect tool for a variety of outdoor tasks, including chopping up logs for firewood, clearing brush…

  • Blog
  • Reviews

15 Best Electric Pressure Washers in 2021

A home can be a daunting project, one that takes some time and energy to maintain. With hard work, determination,…

  • Blog
  • Featured

How to Grow Ginger

Today ginger is grown all over tropical and subtropical regions in Asia, in parts of Africa and South America, and…

  • Featured

How to Grow Onions

Onions are one of the most popular vegetables in the world, and growing onions is a snap in the home…

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE

Howtogardenadvice.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.