To keep plants healthy, aside from daily watering, fertilizing, temperature control, and avoiding intense sunlight, repotting is also an important task. For beginners, repotting might be an unfamiliar term, and it’s often a challenge to know the correct way to do it. Let’s learn some repotting techniques together!
When you’ve bought a beautiful Phalaenopsis orchid and want it to bloom again the following year, but you notice issues like root rot or yellowing leaves, the most common advice is to "repot." But how should you go about it?
Repotting Method:
Prepare the Materials: Start by soaking the sphagnum moss beforehand and spread it out evenly, about 2 cm thick. Then, carefully remove the orchid from its original pot.
Remove Yellow Leaves and Untangle Roots: Gently trim off any yellow or dead leaves and untangle the roots. Hold the root system with your left hand, and with your right hand, spread your fingers to gently arrange the roots.
Wrap the Roots with Moss: Take a handful of soaked sphagnum moss and wrap it around the roots, ensuring that all the roots are evenly covered. Make sure no roots are exposed. Then, place the orchid into the prepared 12 cm nursery cup and gently press to secure it.
Check the Moss Tightness: To determine if the moss is the right consistency, press on the soft nursery cup with your hand. It should have noticeable elasticity. If it feels too loose, add more medium, and if it feels too tight, reduce the amount of medium. The tightness of the moss is crucial, as it affects the plant's ability to absorb water and nutrients during watering and fertilizing. This step is vital for growing a high-quality orchid.
Direction and Alignment: After repotting, make sure the flower bud is facing south, and the orientation of the plant remains consistent. This will help the flowers open uniformly and look more orderly. You can also group plants by variety, as plants of the same species generally have similar growth habits, ensuring consistent watering.
First Week After Repotting:
The first week after repotting is crucial. On sunny days, spray water on the leaves once or twice between 10 AM and 2 PM to keep the moss inside the pot moist. If the light is too strong, use a shading net, keeping the light intensity between 3000 to 4000 lux. The temperature should be maintained between 20°C and 25°C, and the humidity should be 70% to 80%. On cloudy days, you don’t need to spray the leaves.
By following these steps, you can give your Phalaenopsis orchid the best care and help it thrive in its new pot.
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