7 Secrets To Re-potting Orchids That Will Ensure Their Health And Beauty Wortechologies Wortechologi

Just like any other houseplant, your orchids will need a bigger pot as they grow. For most types, they will need re-potting after 12 to 24 months. The primary reason for re-potting orchids is to provide them with new soil media. The soil that they have been standing in may be rather depleted of minerals and other nutrients that are necessary for the healthy growth of your orchids.

It's not difficult to transplant, and there is a proper way to do it so that your orchids will never notice the difference. Below are 7 useful tips that will guarantee successful re-potting every time.

1. Orchids seem to do better when they are tight in a pot; however, if you re-pot orchids in a much larger pot than they were previously in, they will focus on growing the roots and the plant itself will be stunted. It may be necessary to transfer your orchid to a bigger pot, but at most it should be a size or two bigger than the old one.

2. It's tempting to buy a large pot and throw in new orchids with your older orchids. This is not advisable. New plants could have pests and diseases that will infect your existing orchids. If you want to put in additional orchids, isolate them for 2 weeks to assure they are healthy.

3. Make sure that your new pot has good drainage. A good pot should be able to pass water freely and out the bottom so that the soil remains a little moist but not wet.

4. The material of the pot that you choose will affect the care of your plants. A clay pot requires you to water more frequently. Plastic pots, on the other hand, tend to hold in water, and too much water sitting at the bottom of the pot will damage the roots.

5. The best time to re-pot orchids is at the end of their cycle and just before new growth develops. Avoid re-potting any plants that are flowering.

6. Sanitize your tools, especially if you're using the same tools on plants of a different species. This is to assure your orchid doesn't get infected from a potential disease that the other plant has immunity to but your orchid doesn't.

7. If you want to re-use a pot, make sure to clean and sterilize it as well. Wash and soak for 30 minutes to get rid of any micro organisms that may have transferred to your orchids. After re-potting your orchids, place them back in the same environment they were in.

It is recommended that you don't move your orchids to a different location until they are secured in the new pot. This will assure that the roots are well anchored and the plant is acclimatize to the new soil.

About the Author
Simon John Adams is an avid flower gardener from Canada. If you've found this information helpful, Simon has more great advice on re-potting orchids properly. While you're there, claim your Free Mini-Course providing invaluable tips and tricks about growing and caring for orchids. www.LovingOrchidCare.com Simon John Adams may be contacted at http://www.submityourarticle.com/articles/Simon%20John-Adams-8180/re-potting-orchids-117279.php. Click here to view more articles by Simon John Adams.