How do you know when to repot an orchid?

An Orchid FAQ: How to Repot

1. Orchids should be repotted when new; every year or two; or when crowded roots push up and out of the pot.
2. Fresh bark mix is chunky and loose; decomposed mix fills in the air pockets that orchid roots need.
3. Healthy orchid roots are white; pale green tips indicate new growth.

Are orchids roots supposed to be exposed?

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. Either way, don’t cover the roots because they may rot.

Should orchid roots be tightly packed?

Overgrown orchids inside tiny pots seem like roots are growing in all directions, even outside the pot. Phalaenopsis orchid roots need to be compacted and compressed inside their pot, and unlike other household plants, Phalaenopsis actually enjoy being root bound.

How do you get an orchid to bloom again?

Help your orchids grow by providing plenty of indirect sunlight. Put your orchid in a cooler spot at night. Cooler nighttime temperatures (55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit) help new flower spikes emerge. When a new spike appears, you can return your orchid to its normal setting.

What do unhealthy orchid roots look like?

Unhealthy Orchid Roots Rotted roots are easily identified because they are brown, mushy and hollow. These roots are probably the result of overwatering. Brittle roots indicated under-watering. If the plant is still alive, but the roots have all died and turned to mush, the plant may still be saved.

What does an overwatered orchid look like?

Overwatering an orchid plant is extremely dangerous to the plant’s health. Too much water stops oxygen from reaching the roots. Orchid roots exposed to excessive water begin to rot, turning brown to black, and become extremely soft. Examine the orchid’s roots, looking for brown, mushy, rotting portions.

Do orchids outgrow their pots?

Orchid roots like air and will rot if kept soggy and wet. Moth orchids can outgrow their pots in about a year’s time as their wandering roots reach outside and above the edge of the containers. Mature plants usually flower from late winter into spring and their blossoms can last for several months.

Do orchids like tight pots?

Orchids like to be snug in their pot and the ratio of roots to potting mix should be about equal. Instead of growing more roots to fill the space the roots stay wet, the potting mix stays soggy, and the health of the orchid deteriorates.

How do you know if orchid roots are dead?

Look for dead roots that are dried out or soggy and brown. When you spot a root you believe is dead, hold it and gently tug on it. If the outer skin of the root slips off to reveal a brown root or stringy thread root, it is dead. Cut dead roots from the orchid plant with a sterilized blade, removing them completely.

How long do orchids live for?

With good care and regular maintenance, an orchid plant may live for a lifetime — 100 years, or more.

How often should orchids be watered?

So how do you water orchids? The easiest way is to soak your orchid in a bowl of water once every week or two — when the moss dries out. Unlike most houseplants, you don’t need to keep orchid moss evenly moist; if it stays too moist, the orchid can rot.

What type of soil do orchids need?

Depending on the type of orchid, they can be happy growing in peat moss, fir bark, dried fern roots, sphagnum moss, rock wool, perlite, cork nuggets, stones, coconut fiber, lava rock or a blend that combines several of these materials. Some epiphytic orchids can also be wired onto slabs of tree fern or cork.

What do I do with the air roots of an orchid?

In homes with low humidity, air roots can turn yellow and shrivel. Should this occur, wait until your orchid stops blooming, then use a sterile knife or scissors to cut away the shriveled roots. There’s also the chance your plant is outgrowing your pot. If you need to repot your plant, here’s an easy way to learn how.