How to Remove an Orchid Plant From Its Pot

Repotting an orchid is necessary, depending on the age of the plant, every 6 months to 3 years, when new mix is needed, or the plant outgrows the pot. The best time to repot an orchid is during its active growth which is shortly after it blooms and new roots begin to form. Some orchids forgive more easily than others and adjust to their new pot without much fuss.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Water
• Planting medium
• Orchid
• Pot
• Sterilized blade

1. Water the plant to loosen the dirt from around the roots.

2. Loosen the orchid from the pot and dump the dirt out. Gently loosen the dirt from around the root.

3. Check for diseased, dying or rotted roots. Remove any damaged roots with a sterilized blade.

4. Divide the root into sections. Each section should consist of young, healthy roots.

5. Use an appropriate planting medium for orchids and place the plant into pot with the most mature growth against the side of the pot.

Tips & Warnings

• Select pots with drainage holes. Orchids planted in clay pots need more watering. For some orchids like Phalaenopsis, the roots are capable of photosynthesis and clear pots allow light to get to the roots.
• Sprinkle roots with ground cinnamon, which is a natural fungicide.
• If your medium or fertilizer contains Diatomite, soak the dirt and rinse thoroughly to remove salts that can injure the orchid root.
• If dividing the plant, use caution. Larger plants are easier to grow. Dividing can leave you with multiple weak plants.