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The aerial roots should be left out of the pot, as you don’t want to bury them. Placing aerial roots in the pot under the potting mix, can damage them and can cause root rotting.Soaking Orchid Air Roots Before Repotting
You should soak orchid air roots in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes before repotting just like you would with other roots. Soaking the roots helps to remove residue and leftover old growing medium, so it is an important step in repotting.Orchids should be repotted after the bloom period is complete when most go into a “rest” period or dormancy. Orchids with air roots can be repotted with new planting materials in the same pot or a different pot of the same size.
- Step 2: Remove the old potting medium. …
- Step 3: Rinse the roots with lukewarm water. …
- Step 4: Trim off any bad roots with sterilized scissors. …
- Step 5: Spray with Hydrogen peroxide 3% …
- Step 6: Put the orchid in a clean pot. …
- Step 7: Fill the pot with chosen orchid potting medium.
Contents
Should I bury aerial roots orchid?
The aerial roots should be left out of the pot, as you don’t want to bury them. Placing aerial roots in the pot under the potting mix, can damage them and can cause root rotting.
How do you repot a plant with air roots?
Soaking Orchid Air Roots Before Repotting
You should soak orchid air roots in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes before repotting just like you would with other roots. Soaking the roots helps to remove residue and leftover old growing medium, so it is an important step in repotting.
Can you plant aerial roots orchid?
Orchids should be repotted after the bloom period is complete when most go into a “rest” period or dormancy. Orchids with air roots can be repotted with new planting materials in the same pot or a different pot of the same size.
Can orchid survive with only aerial roots?
For an orchid, verify the roots. If there are no aerial roots, that really isn’t a problem, but if there are many, then your orchid is doing quite well. Keep up the good work. If you have only aerial roots but he roots inside the potting medium are dying, then you need to change media.
Can you put aerial roots in water?
This is supposedly because aerial roots can absorb moisture, which is true. However, placing them in water 24/7 probably won’t do much more than make them rot and possibly endanger your plant.
What to do with aerial roots on orchids?
If the orchid air roots are firm and white, they are healthy and you don’t need to do anything at all. Just accept that this is normal behavior. According to orchid experts, you should definitely not remove the roots. There’s a good chance you’ll harm the plant or introduce a dangerous virus.
Can you bury aerial roots?
The best option is to leave the air roots alone. If aerial roots are extensive, it may be a sign your orchid is overgrown and needs a larger pot. At this time, you can bury lower aerial roots in the new pot. Be careful not to force the roots because they may snap.
How do you repot an orchid for beginners?
Gently pull the pot away from the plant and wash off the roots. Use sharp scissors to cut off any brown or rotting roots. Fill the new planter with the soaked potting medium and place the plant so that the base is right at the top of the medium. Use a chopstick to help push bits of planting medium in between the roots.
Can I repot an orchid in regular potting soil?
Gardeners new to orchid growing soon realize that healthy orchids don’t grow in regular potting soil. It’s too dense, doesn’t drain thoroughly enough, and most orchids actually grow in the air—the medium is just there to give the roots something to cling to.
What do you soak orchid roots in before repotting?
Prepare some cinnamon (yes, the kind you use to cook with, as in cinnamon buns) or sulfur. You will need them to dust the roots after they are cut to disinfect them. Soak your orchid in a bucket of water for half an hour or so to loosen the potting medium and make the roots more flexible.
Why is my orchid growing so many air roots?
The higher the humidity in the room, the more aerial roots the orchid will grow to absorb the moisture in the air. In a dry environment, the aerial roots will stop growing.
Should I water orchid after repotting?
The first week after repotting simply water and continue to mist your orchid on your personal schedule. 3. On the second week after repotting, fertilize your orchid, substituting rooting solution for fertilizer. Do not water your Phalaenopsis on the weeks it is fertilized.
Can I plant aerial roots?
They produce aerial roots that grow downward until they reach the soil. The stiff roots act as guy wires, supporting the weak stems in place. You can propagate these plants by clipping off a piece of the stem just below an aerial root and potting it up. Not all plants with aerial roots can be planted in soil.
Why does my orchid have so many aerial roots?
The higher the humidity in the room, the more aerial roots the orchid will grow to absorb the moisture in the air. In a dry environment, the aerial roots will stop growing.
How to Repot an Orchid – [Complete] Beginner Step-By-Step Guide
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How to Repot an Orchid With Air Roots – Orchid Resource Center
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What Are Orchid Air Roots
When to Repot an Orchid
How to Repot an Orchid With Air Roots
Caring for Damaged Orchid Aerial Roots
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How to Repot an Orchid with Air Roots
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- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How to Repot an Orchid with Air Roots Updating When it is time to repot your orchid, learn how to manage all those roots that escape the pot and poke out in every direction.
- Table of Contents:
How Do Orchids Grow
When to Repot an Orchid with Air Roots
Before Getting Started
What You’ll Need
Instructions
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Aerial Roots on Orchids: 7 Important Questions – Orchideria
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- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Aerial Roots on Orchids: 7 Important Questions – Orchideria Updating Aerial roots are not common in other household plants. If you have just come across your first orchid, you might wonder what the projections on…
- Table of Contents:
Can You Cut Aerial Roots
Where does the name “aerial roots” come from
Why does the orchid grow aerial roots
What do Aerial Roots Look Like
Do aerial roots Like Being Root Bound
Why do Orchids Grow Aerial Roots
Do Aerial Roots have a Purpose
Do Aerial Roots Dry Out Faster
How do You Repot Aerial Roots
Is there a way to hinder the production of aerial roots on orchids
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How to Repot an Orchid with Air Roots
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- Table of Contents:
How Do Orchids Grow
When to Repot an Orchid with Air Roots
Before Getting Started
What You’ll Need
Instructions
How to Repot an Orchid with Air Roots: 5 Tips for Success – Orchideria
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- Summary of article content: Articles about How to Repot an Orchid with Air Roots: 5 Tips for Success – Orchideria To repot an orch with air roots, 1) soak the entire orch for 10 to 30 minutes below the stem or rhizome before the repotting process to make the air … …
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When It Comes to Repotting What to do With The Aerial Roots on My Cattleya Orchid
1) The Number or Air Roots Do NOT Determine the Right Time to Repot an Orchid
2) Soak All the Roots—Aerial Roots Included—Before any Orchid Repot
3) Determine Which Air Roots Will Be Repotted Inside the Medium
4) Never Trim or Cut Air Roots When Repotting Your Orchid
5) How do I Repot an Orchid with Multiple Aerial Roots
6) How to Determine What Advice to Follow For Repotting Aerial Roots Inside or Outside the Pot
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How to Repot an Orchid With Air Roots – Orchid Resource Center
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- Summary of article content: Articles about How to Repot an Orchid With Air Roots – Orchid Resource Center Carefully remove the orch from its pot. · Remove the old potting medium from the container, and gently shake your orch’s roots to remove old … …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How to Repot an Orchid With Air Roots – Orchid Resource Center Carefully remove the orch from its pot. · Remove the old potting medium from the container, and gently shake your orch’s roots to remove old … Trying to repot an orchid with air roots may seem intimidating. The process is as easy as repotting an orchid without air roots.
- Table of Contents:
What Are Orchid Air Roots
When to Repot an Orchid
How to Repot an Orchid With Air Roots
Caring for Damaged Orchid Aerial Roots
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How To Repot Orchids With Air Roots – Two Peas In A Condo
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- Summary of article content: Articles about How To Repot Orchids With Air Roots – Two Peas In A Condo Orch air roots, which sometimes cling to the outse of the orch pod, indicate that the plant is in good health, so it’s commonly … …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How To Repot Orchids With Air Roots – Two Peas In A Condo Orch air roots, which sometimes cling to the outse of the orch pod, indicate that the plant is in good health, so it’s commonly … Aerial roots are pretty common in orchids. This article will teach why this phenomenon happens and how to repot orchids with air roots.
- Table of Contents:
What Are Aerial Roots
Why Do Some Orchids Have Aerial Roots
What Does It Mean When Orchids Have Lots Of Aerial Roots
Why Should You Repot An Orchid
Types Of Orchids
When To Repot Your Orchids
Steps To Repotting Orchids With Aerial Roots
What Soil Do You Need For Epiphyte Orchid Repotting
What Type Of Pot Should You Use To Grow Orchids
How Much Water Do You Orchids Need
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How to repot an orchid with air roots for beginners – [Guide]
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- Summary of article content: Articles about How to repot an orchid with air roots for beginners – [Guide] At first take few moss peat and wrap around the aerial roots of the orch. Then, put in the roots with peat moss in the new pot. Now fill the … …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How to repot an orchid with air roots for beginners – [Guide] At first take few moss peat and wrap around the aerial roots of the orch. Then, put in the roots with peat moss in the new pot. Now fill the … This guide will help you with proper step by step processes to repot an orchid to a bigger pot without killing the plant.
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[Complete] Beginner Step-By-Step Guide
How to repot an orchid – Step-By-Step Guide
Repotting an orchid is slightly different to repotting a ‘normal’ houseplant. This is because most orchids are epiphytes, ‘air plants’, growing up high holding on to trees etc. ‘Normal’ houseplants are terrestrial plants, which means they grow from the ground.
For a plant to grow from the ground or in the air, requires a different type of root system. Air plants need a lot of air circulation around their roots, and therefore they would suffocate if planted in the ground. This is the reason why repotting orchids differs from repotting ‘normal’ houseplants.
Orchid keepers need to repot their orchids every 1-2 years, so it’s important to learn how to do it right. There are a few rules that apply, but once you’ve got the hang of it it’s pretty straightforward. And even fun!
Below, I will share everything I’ve learned about repotting orchids with you. And to point out before we start; we’re talking about the standard ‘moth orchids’ (Phalaenopsis orchids) in this article.
So how do you repot an orchid?
Take the orchid out of its pot Remove the old potting medium Rinse the roots with lukewarm water Trim off any bad roots with sterilized scissors Spray with Hydrogen peroxide 3% Put the orchid in a clean pot Fill the pot with chosen orchid potting medium Water the orchid
Step 1: Take the orchid out of its pot
Cover the surface you’re working on with old newspapers etc – there will be some mess! Find a good and firm place to hold the plant from, avoiding parts that can break easily (like new aerial roots and possible flower spikes).
Now gently pull out the orchid out of its old pot. If there are roots that are stuck to the pot, gently wiggle them to loosen up.
Take the time it needs to avoid causing any damage. I’ve experienced if I do this when I’m in a hurry, roots can accidentally break.
Step 2: Remove the old potting medium
Some of the old potting medium probably fell out already while you pulled the orchid out of its pot.
Now remove the rest manually by gently shaking and touching the roots to help loosen up the old medium. If there are bark pieces that seem impossible to remove without damaging the root, just let them be for now – I will advice how to deal with them in the next step.
Just clean the roots as well as you can now, removing all the lose bits. Take your time and be gentle when touching the roots.
Step 3: Rinse the roots with lukewarm water
Now that the roots have been cleaned off old potting medium, give them a good rinse under a running tap using lukewarm water. This is just to clean them and make them more flexible.
Avoid getting any water in the crown of the plant – if this happens, however, you can dry it with some tissue paper.
Just stick the corner of the paper in-between the leaves where the water went; hold it there while it sucks out the water. Repeat if necessary, until dry.
If there were some old bark pieces ‘glued’ to the roots and they didn’t come off even after rinsing, you can soak the roots in lukewarm water – this usually helps remove even the most stubborn pieces. Start with 10-15 minutes of soaking first and see if that works. Increase the time if needed.
(Too much soaking doesn’t harm them, so you can even leave them in water while you do something else)
Step 4: Trim off any bad roots with sterilized scissors
Now that the roots are nice and clean, it’s time to inspect the root condition. This will give you insight to your orchid care – if most of the roots are dry or mushy, and this isn’t a brand new orchid you just brought home from the shop, it indicates you need to adjust your orchid care.
The bad roots are the result of e.g. not enough water, too much water, not enough air-circulation, etc. If most of the roots look nice and healthy, though, you know you’re doing something right and can stick to your orchid care regimen.
All the dry or mushy roots, however, need to be trimmed off – get rid of the ‘dead weight’!
Sterilize a pair of scissors/pruners with Hydrogen peroxide 3% and snip off the bad roots one by one.
If you’re not sure how roots are supposed to look like, I will add photos of good and bad roots to show you below.
It’s important to always remember to sterilize the scissors/pruners before AND after using them to cut orchids. This is to avoid transferring any possible viruses or pests from orchid to orchid.
Step 5: Spray with Hydrogen peroxide 3%
Now that you have trimmed off all the bad roots, it’s time to disinfect by spraying the remaining roots with Hydrogen peroxide 3%. This strength of peroxide is safe to use on plants, but please don’t opt for stronger solutions to avoid causing any damage.
Spraying the roots with Hydrogen peroxide 3% eliminates any possible fungi and bacterial infections, even pests, as it works as an antiseptic.
I’ve been successfully using this method for years now, but you can skip this part if you don’t have any Hydrogen peroxide at home or simply don’t want to use it on your plants.
Step 6: Put the orchid in a clean pot
Now that the roots have been cleaned and disinfected, it’s time to put the plant back in the pot. You can use the old pot if the roots fit inside it – orchids don’t need much root space, so you don’t necessarily have to upsize every time you repot.
Just wash the pot with hot water and soap before using again. However, if you repotted the orchid because it outgrew the pot in the first place, and there weren’t many bad roots to trim off, then go for a size bigger orchid pot.
Gently place the orchid inside the clean pot. Make sure the roots fit well inside the pot, keeping the stem of the plant in the center of the pot.
Types of pots
The type of pot to use is a matter of preference. Personally, I still prefer clear plastic pots – not because of how they look like, but because it makes caring for orchids much easier.
Through the clear plastic, you see immediately when the medium is dry and needs to be watered again. You can also see how the roots are doing if the potting medium has started to decompose if there are pests lurking around, or even possible salt deposits from too many minerals.
Clay pots are of course nicer on the eye, and they are a great option especially in more humid conditions because the medium dries out quicker in them.
You can reuse old clay pots, but many orchid lovers do this with caution as they can potentially transfer a virus from a sick orchid to the new one.
This happens rarely, but you can clean the clay pots before using them by washing them in hot soapy water and then baking them in the oven for 20-30 minutes in 300F (200C). This is to kill any viruses, bacteria or pests that can be stored in the clay.
Step 7: Fill the pot with chosen orchid potting medium
While gently-but-firmly holding the stem of the plant in the middle of the pot, start dropping chosen potting medium inside the pot.
Fill it up well so the orchid stands firmly in it, without the medium being too tight. If there are big air pockets inside the pot, use a stick to push down the potting medium into those spots.
It’s up to you what type of potting medium to use. You can always buy a ready orchid potting media mix too, if you’re not sure what to use. Or make your own mix, or use just one type of medium e.g. bark. Personally, I prefer ready bark mixes and I can also use some sphagnum moss.
For mini Phalaenopsis orchids I use more moss, and if an orchid is severely dehydrated or even lacks roots, then I can opt for moss-only because of the moss’ water retaining properties.
A TIP; Drop a few clay pebbles in the bottom of the pot for extra drainage and airflow – I always do this, and I seldom see any root problems in my orchids.
You can even take some packing peanuts and put a few of them in the pot, either in the bottom or in the middle of the pot. They’re lightweight and prevent potting medium from compressing, which suffocates the roots.
Step 8: Water the orchid
This is where advice from one orchid keeper to another will differ; others will tell you to water the plant immediately as usual, and others to leave it for a few days (or even up to a week) before watering again.
But as I’m here to share my experience with you and what has worked for me, I will advise you to go ahead and water the orchid now as usual.
Water the orchid using the watering method you prefer, let the excess water drain out, and put the orchid back in its place.
Voilà! Your orchid has now been repotted!
If you are going to repot more orchids right after this one, remember that hygiene is important – always wash your hands in-between handling different orchids! Or use disposable plastic gloves.
This is to avoid transferring any possible viruses or pests from orchid to orchid. (Don’t worry, you can’t catch a virus from an orchid – but you can transfer one from orchid to orchid!)
What to do with air roots when repotting an orchid
Air roots, or aerial roots, are the roots growing out of the pot in the air. Some orchids have a lot of them, and some less. They can look pretty wild if there are many of them and they’ve started to grow very long.
Their purpose is to catch humidity and even nutrition through the air. As orchids grow in tropical climates, the air is very humid there, so the plant can absorb plenty of moisture from the air alone even when it doesn’t rain.
Another purpose of aerial roots is to cling on to surfaces. If you have noticed, the aerial roots always grow away from the light source.
This is where the surface in nature would be, as orchids grow attached to tree trunks and branches etc.
Our way to keep orchids at home is quite different to their natural way to grow; we plant them in pots standing upright – in nature they would be sideways, holding on to surfaces, which is the reason why aerial roots end up just “hanging in the air” in domestic surroundings.
When repotting an orchid, just let the aerial roots be as they are. There’s no need to stick them inside the pot with the other roots.
If you tried to do that they would probably break anyway, as they can’t handle much bending.
So just focus on the roots that were already inside the pot – what was in the pot, goes back in the pot. What was in the air, can remain in the air.
I have heard of people trimming the aerial roots though if they’ve grown really long and wild. (The roots, not the people)
But this is only for visual purposes, if you find the look of them disturbing. Or if they have started to take up too much space. So even though it’s not something I do or even recommend, I have heard of some people doing it.
But just keep in mind that aerial roots do serve a purpose, and if your plant was ever to suddenly lose all its roots inside the pot, then the aerial roots are its lifeline.
Orchid repotting kit
Get prepared for the repotting on time. There are a few things that you need, which you can even keep in their own box ready to be used whenever it’s time to repot again.
What you need to repot an orchid
Orchid potting media of choice
A pot
Scissors
Hydrogen peroxide 3%
Cotton pads
A stick
Plastic gloves
Old newspapers
Leca pebbles or packing peanuts
You need a new pot only when the orchid’s roots have outgrown the old pot. Otherwise, as I mentioned above, orchids don’t require much extra space in the pot, so it’s fine to reuse the old pot. Just wash it well with hot water and soap before using it again.
Regardless of what type of potting medium you’re using (bark or moss, or a mix of both), it’s a good idea to always have some clay pebbles or packing peanuts on hand too.
When you drop a handful of them in the bottom of the pot, you ensure the root tips won’t be standing in water even if some water gets trapped inside the pot. I keep both, clay pebbles and packing peanuts, in my orchid repotting kit.
If the Hydrogen peroxide 3% didn’t come ready in a spray bottle, fill up a small spray bottle with it.
The roots are so much easier to disinfect by spraying, than pouring the peroxide over them. You also waste less product this way. Keep the bottle in the repotting kit away from the sunlight which destroys it.
The cotton pads are for disinfecting the scissors/pruners before and after using them on orchids. But you can also wipe orchid leaves with them – I sometimes spray a little Hydrogen on a pad, and just give the leaves a quick wipe.
The stick is for pushing down the orchid medium to fill up air pockets during repotting – trust me, it’ll come in handy! (Even a pencil or a Chinese chopstick will do)
Old newspapers are the best to repot on, so have them in your kit too. Also a box of disposable plastic gloves!
Of course, if you don’t like plastic gloves then skip them – just wash your hands well in-between handling different orchids.
If you want more information on what kind of potting medium or pots to use, please see HERE
Final Words
I don’t know how many times I’ve repotted an orchid by now, but I can say it’s a big number! And it’s actually one of my favorite things to do with orchids because it gives that hands-on time with them. And not only that, but it also gives a chance to see how the root system is doing.
When your orchid care regimen is on the right track, it will show also in the roots. But if there are problems, don’t worry – use it as a learning opportunity, and fix whatever needs fixing.
It might all feel confusing in the beginning, but I’m here to share my knowledge and experience with you, and help you on the way!
Thank you for reading, and Happy Repotting!
How to Repot an Orchid with Lots of Aerial Roots?
We often see orchids with roots spilling out of the pots or just floating in the air above the pot. Some of these roots are growing from a higher point of the stem. These are called aerial roots.
It is easy to think that something is wrong with our orchid because we are used to the fact that roots should be under the potting medium and not above it. But what are these roots exactly? Why do they grow like this? And what should we do when our orchids have aerial roots?
This article will present to you the importance of the aerial roots and how should be treated. Also, I am going to teach you how to repot an orchid with lots of aerial roots, and what kind of potting medium should you use.
Importance of Aerial Roots on Orchids
Orchids live in rainforests, where the humidity and temperatures are high. Orchids are epiphytic plants, which means they live on other plants, like trees, shrubs, and they can live even on rocks.
Therefore, these plants have aerial roots that help them cling to the host plant and to reach the light. The aerial roots also help the orchid to absorb nutrients and enough water from its environment, like the rain, or from the surface of tree branches.
So, because the air roots are so important for the orchids, these shouldn’t be cut off even if you don’t like how your plants look. Cutting them off, your plant can struggle to get enough nutrients and water; therefore, your orchid can die.
However, if these aerial roots are damaged somehow or are dead, you can cut them off with sterilized scissors.
When an orchid has a lot of aerial roots, it can mean that the orchid needs to be repotted. This can be a sign that the roots which are buried, are not very healthy, and the orchid cannot absorb sufficient nutrients through these. Therefore, this grows aerial roots to get the needed nutrients from the environment.
Another reason why an orchid grows lots of aerial roots is the stability. When the plant is looking for security, for example when a spike full of lowers is unbalancing the whole plant, this grows air roots as it is trying to cling to something.
Aerial roots shouldn’t be buried even if the orchid needs repotting. As these roots are not used to be buried, if you put them under the potting medium, they might rot. The air roots usually are not watered, these are absorbing the moisture from the air.
Buried air roots are rotting because that environment is wetter and the air circulation is weaker as well. However, you can “train” these roots to be potted by dipping them in water every day for a while.
Repotting an Orchid with Lots of Aerial Roots
Repotting an orchid is a bit different then to repot another houseplant. It isn’t complicated, but there are some rules you must follow if you want your orchid to survive.
So, if you were wondering how should you repot your orchids with aerial roots, then here is the guide for you.
Step 1
Gently remove the orchid from its pot. Try not to break or to damage the roots.
These can be sometimes clingy and they can be attached to the pot, so, there are circumstances when you cannot avoid damaging them a little bit.
But don’t worry, if the damage is not big, your plant will still survive.
Step 2
When the plant is out of its pot, you should remove the old potting medium. This shouldn’t be reused, so you can put it in your compost or just throw it away.
Again, be as gentle as possible, because you don’t want to harm the roots. Gently remove the potting mix from between the roots by shaking it a bit or touching the roots to help the old medium to fall out.
Step 3
After you removed all the old potting medium, you can run some lukewarm over the roots, or just soak them for 10-15 minutes.
This will help the roots become more flexible, and cleans the residue and the potting medium “leftovers”.
Pay attention not to get any water in the orchid’s stem, but if it happens, then you can dry out the water from there with a paper towel or a cotton pad. Leaving water in the stem can cause crown rot.
Step 4
Because of soaking, you can see which are the healthy roots and which needs to be removed with a sterilized cutter or scissor.
If you see dry, mushy, brownish or even black roots, you must get rid of them. Now you can realize if you are doing a good job of taking care of your orchids, or you have to change something.
Lots of green roots, means you are doing good whatever you do, however, if the orchid has many brown, black and mushy roots, you should change your caring habits.
If the roots are dry and mushy, your orchids need more water. If the roots are black, then it means you overwatering your orchids and the roots are rotting.
Step 5
So, after removing all the dead matter, you can sterilize your orchid’s root system with Hydrogen peroxide 3% for example. Some people use cinnamon for this. Make sure you don’t use stronger peroxide, as it can harm your plant.
Step 6
Now that the orchid is clean, you can place it in the pot. If you use the same pot, because the plant’s roots still fit in it, then you should clean the pot as well.
If you are using a new pot, then make sure it is suitable for orchids. It should have drainage holes and should be bigger only by 1-2 inches than the old pot. Orchids don’t like to be potted in a pot that is way bigger than the plant itself.
Usually, I like to use clear pots for my orchids, as I find it easier to care for my orchids because I can see if the medium is dry or still wet. Also, I can see the roots so, it is easy to decide whether it needs repotting or not.
Step 7
The sixth step is when you place the potting mix into the pot. Holding your orchid in the pot, gently, but make sure it stays in the middle of the pot.
The aerial roots should be left out of the pot, as you don’t want to bury them. Placing aerial roots in the pot under the potting mix, can damage them and can cause root rotting.
Fill up the pot with your chosen potting medium filling up the gaps as well between the roots, but without the medium being too dense and tight.
If you are not sure what type of potting mix should you use, you can buy a ready orchid potting mix. I usually pot my orchids in the bark, but you can use sphagnum moss, clay pellets, lava rocks, coconut fiber, or a mix of these organic and inorganic matters.
Step 8
The last step is optional, or I could say that everyone is doing it in their own way.
I prefer to water my orchid after repotting, but some people say that you should wait one week after repotting.
If you choose to water your orchid, you can do it by dipping the pot in a container of water or just simply run the water over the plant.
Remember, always dry the water out of the stem to prevent crown rot.
Can you Repot Orchids in Regular Potting Soil?
Orchids are epiphytes (air plants); therefore, these plants don’t grow in soil like the other plants.
If you would plant your orchid in regular potting soil, this would die quickly. Orchids’ root system needs air circulation and a humid environment. Regular soil would suffocate the roots.
Also, the soil would be too wet for the orchids, as this is not draining as quickly and as good as the bark or sphagnum moss.
Basically, the purpose of the potting medium is for stability. Orchids, in their natural habitat, are absorbing the water and the nutrients from the air.
Should You Repot Orchids When Blooming?
Orchids should be repotted every two-three years. Depending on your orchid. Some of them should be repotted every year.
The best time to repot an orchid is after blooming, because doing it while it has flowers, can cause the flowers’ death. A repotting can be stressful for an orchid, so the adaptation process will affect the flowers and these will die quickly.
You should repot an orchid when blooming only if it is to save its life.
Wrap Up
Remember, air roots are important for the orchids because these provide moisture and nutrients, also help in the plants’ balance. You don’t have to cut them off or bury them. Just leave them floating as they want and let them do their job.
Repotting an orchid is best when this is in active growth. After the blooming period has finished and you see new roots are coming, you can do the repotting. This will help the orchid in the adaptation process and the new roots will provide a good grip in the new potting mix.
How to Repot an Orchid With Air Roots
For most plants, seeing roots growing out of the potting soil and in the air instead would be a cause for alarm. For some types of orchids, though, this behavior is perfectly normal.
Air roots help keep your orchid healthy and allow the plant to have access to the air and nutrients that it needs to thrive. Trying to repot an orchid with air roots may seem intimidating, but the process is not much more complicated than repotting an orchid without air roots.
Keep reading to find out more about why orchids have air roots and how to care for orchids with air roots. Although seeing an orchid with air roots for the first time may be startling, by the time that you finish learning more about them, you’ll appreciate how these unique features help orchids thrive.
What Are Orchid Air Roots?
You’ve probably noticed that most of your orchid’s roots grow downward into their growing medium. However, you’ve likely also noticed that a few of the roots seem to grow above the growing medium instead. These air roots, also called aerial roots, are pretty typical for orchids.
Phalaenopsis and other epiphyte orchids do not grow in the ground in their natural habitat. Instead, these orchids attach themselves to tree branches. Their roots absorb nutrients and moisture from the air.
So, seeing a few air roots on your orchid is normal. As long as the air roots are firm and white, then they are healthy.
Orchid Roots Growing Out of Pot
If the number of air roots increases, it may be a sign that your orchid needs to be repotted. If the roots that are in the growing medium are having a hard time absorbing nutrients, then the plant may send out more aerial roots.
Check the roots in the pot before deciding to repot. Also, take into consideration how long it has been since the last time that you repotted the orchid. Seeing extra orchid roots growing out of the container is not always a sign that your orchid needs to be repotted.
When to Repot an Orchid
Orchids need to be repotted on a regular basis. This is because the growing material in their containers breaks down over time. Because most orchids don’t grow in soil in their natural environment, they cannot handle the changes as the particles in the growing medium become smaller and tightly packed.
You should plan to repot your orchids every one to two years even if everything seems fine. However, you should repot sooner if you notice that your orchid’s container has become too small, the growing medium has broken down more quickly than expected, or your orchid’s roots are becoming pot-bound.
If possible, wait until your orchid’s blooming cycle has ended before repotting. This should allow your orchid to recover from repotting more quickly.
How to Repot an Orchid With Air Roots
Repotting an orchid with air roots isn’t that much different from repotting other orchids. Here’s what you need to do.
Carefully remove the orchid from its pot. If your orchid is particularly large, then you can tip the container on its side and gently slide it out. Otherwise, you can turn the entire container upside down. Remove the old potting medium from the container, and gently shake your orchid’s roots to remove old potting soil that is clinging to them. Soak the roots in lukewarm water for about 10-15 minutes. Try to keep water off the crown during this time, but if you do get water on it, you can always wipe it off with a towel. Trim away any roots that are soft, dried-out, or brown. Leave the healthy green roots alone, though. Place the orchid in its new pot. Hold the orchid in the center and carefully place the new potting medium around the roots. Keep the air roots out of the new soil. It’s okay if one or two of them end up covered, though. It can be difficult to remember which roots were aerial roots after soaking them. Because you have soaked the roots, you can wait about a week before watering your orchid.
Trimming Orchid Air Roots
Some people do not like the appearance of orchid air roots and want to trim them; however, air roots have an important role in an orchid’s survival. Air roots draw nutrients and moisture from the air and are beneficial for the orchid. Trimming healthy air roots can be detrimental for the orchid.
You should only trim orchid air roots that are clearly dead. Air roots tend to look more dried-out than you might expect, so just because an air root looks a little dry, this does not mean that the root is dead. If you mist an air root that looks dry, it will perk up a bit, but you do not need to constantly mist the roots. It’s fine for air roots to be more dry than roots in the potting medium.
If you are certain that an air root is dead, then you can trim it; otherwise, just let the roots be. If the appearance of aerial roots really bothers you, you can slip your orchid container into a slightly larger container and encourage the air roots to hang out of sight between the two containers.
Soaking Orchid Air Roots Before Repotting
You should soak orchid air roots in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes before repotting just like you would with other roots. Soaking the roots helps to remove residue and leftover old growing medium, so it is an important step in repotting. Because the roots only soak for 15 minutes at the most, sitting in water for a little while does not hurt the air roots.
After soaking the roots, you may realize that it is much harder to tell the difference between the air roots and the roots that were in soil. Try your best to keep the two types of roots separated while soaking them.
If you get mixed up and place a few aerial roots into the soil by accident when you repot, your orchid will still likely be okay. Young aerial roots sometimes adapt to live in the growing medium. Older aerial roots will usually die when covered by growing medium, but as long as your orchid has enough other healthy roots, this should not cause a huge problem.
Pot Size
Although the pot that you use for your orchid may not seem like as big a deal as using the correct soil or giving your orchid the proper amount of water, the pot that you choose does play a role in helping your orchid thrive.
A pot that is too small will make it difficult for the orchid’s roots to develop properly and stunt the growth of the orchid. On the other hand, a pot that is too large will hold too much growing medium and prevent your orchid’s root from getting enough light and air.
The best thing to do to ensure that your orchid is in the correct size pot is to select a slightly bigger pot for your orchid each time you repot. Measure the size of the pot that your orchid is currently in so that you can select a new one that is just a little bit larger.
The majority of orchids require pots that are between 4-6 inches. Of course, as orchids mature, some older specimens may require even larger pots. There are a few types of orchids that start off larger, but they will come in larger pots when you buy them to begin with.
Soil Type
As we talked about earlier, many orchids are epiphyte orchids that grow along tree branches rather than growing in the soil. If your orchid has air roots, then it is an epiphyte orchid. Since these orchids do not grow in the ground in the wild, they have very particular needs when it comes to soil.
Most orchids need soil that allows their roots to access both light and air, so the soil cannot be dense. The soil also needs to drain well because orchids do not want their roots to sit in water for long periods of time.
You cannot use regular potting soil for orchids. This type of soil is too dense and will basically suffocate your orchid’s roots. Instead, you either need to choose a commercial growing medium designed for orchids or make your own.
A good commercial growing mix for orchids will normally include tree bark, organic matter, and moss. If you decide to make your own growing medium, a popular mix is to use 5 parts tree bark to 1 part perlite or sphagnum moss.
It is important to repot your orchid every one to two years because the growing medium will break down over time. When the growing medium breaks down, the pieces become too small and compact. This cuts off your orchid’s roots from the proper amount of air and light.
Starting with a good growing medium for your orchids is essential, but it is also necessary to make sure that you change out the growing medium before it breaks down too much.
Roots Inside or Outside of the Soil
Air roots may look unusual, but as long as they are healthy, then they are helping your orchid by accessing moisture and nutrients.
In the wild, epiphyte orchids have air roots rather than roots that go into the soil. Despite their unusual looks, orchid roots growing outside the soil are often healthier than those growing in the soil because this is what orchid roots are designed to do.
Air roots can help your orchid survive if the roots below the soil die due to root rot. If your orchid gets root rot but you’ve removed all the air roots, then your orchid will probably not make it.
You can cover the air roots on your orchid with an extremely thin layer of sphagnum moss. This will help prevent them from drying out because your home probably is not as humid as their native tropical environment. Do not try to cover air roots with soil, though; most of them will not survive the change to being covered by soil and will die instead.
Caring for Damaged Orchid Aerial Roots
Aerial roots are important for your orchid’s health, but there is no reason to panic over minor damage to aerial roots. Because air roots are exposed, they sometimes get broken. Use sterilized scissors to make a clean break if needed. Then you can either apply 3% hydrogen peroxide to the open area or allow it to air dry on its own.
After this, continue caring for the orchid as normal. Don’t move it, change its watering schedule, or apply extra fertilizer. The orchid might experience a little bit of stress from losing an aerial root, but it will recover. Orchids naturally lose some of their air roots in their native environment, and an orchid will grow more aerial roots to replace the damaged ones when needed.
Try to avoid the actions that caused the damage in the future, but don’t get too worried over the occasional break.
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