If you want your plants to thrive, you need more than just regular watering, proper sunlight, and fertilizer — you also have to “give them a new home” from time to time. This is especially important for Phalaenopsis orchids, whose roots are particularly sensitive.
When is the right time to repot a Phalaenopsis orchid? How often should you do it?
Repotting is essential if you want your orchid to grow strong and bloom year after year.
When the roots are overcrowded: If you can see through the transparent pot that the roots are packed tightly together, it’s time to move the plant into a bigger container. Otherwise, the roots won’t have room to spread, nutrient absorption will be limited, and the plant’s health will quickly decline.
When the potting medium breaks down: Media such as sphagnum moss or bark have a limited lifespan. Over time, they lose their structure and airflow, hold too much water, and prevent proper evaporation — leaving the roots constantly wet and prone to rot.
When roots are damaged: If you notice large sections of roots have shriveled or rotted, you must repot right away and trim off the unhealthy parts.
When not to repot:
If the orchid is blooming or has just grown a flower spike, do not repot. Disturbing the plant now will easily cause bud drop and stress.
If you just bought the plant, wait until it has finished flowering and adjusted to its new environment. In the meantime, you can keep the nursery pot inside a decorative cachepot.
Repotting Steps:
Carefully remove the orchid from its old pot. Tap the sides to loosen the media before pulling the plant out.
Soak the root ball in clean water until the old moss softens, then gently remove it. Be careful not to damage healthy roots.
Trim away any rotten or shriveled roots, leaving only firm, green ones.
Prepare a new pot — ideally a transparent orchid pot just one size larger, with plenty of drainage and ventilation holes.
Fill with fresh orchid mix such as pine bark or sphagnum moss. If reusing an old pot, sterilize it first with boiling water before use.
Following these steps will give your orchid fresh space to grow, keep the roots healthy, and encourage better blooms in the coming season.
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