Repotting an Orchid

Meomye

Hi, I was given an Orchid in April that now needs repotting, do I really need to use the special see through pots and special soil ? 

pansyface

Yes and yes. They photosynthesise through their roots and the bark is extremely free draining. Not difficult to buy these days.

Are you sure it needs repotting already? Mine have been in the same pot for two years and still flower like mad.

Danae(dan-Ah-ee)

I'm rather fond of orchids too but I don't repot them often, about every 2-3 years.  I fill the pots with moss from the garden, which I sun dry and keep for that purpose.  I do much the same for my potted bromeliads. 

The BBC has much useful information:

http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/projects/video-projects/how-to-care-for-orchids/225.html

 

Hostafan1

there are tens of thousands of orchids. Surely we need to know which we're talking about ?

" an orchid" , really , means nothing.

pansyface

I was assuming that the orchid in question was already in a transparent pot.

Hostafan1

but should it have been?

I'm just sitting on the fence.

Too little information to go on. IMHO

Hostafan1

I've had phalaenopsis orchids in the same pots for years , and have never felt they needed to repotted,and they flower wonderfully.

 

Meomye

Thank you for replies, I have no idea what type it is as it was a gift (no label that I recall) 

It is currently in a transparent pot but has become rather poorly looking. It dropped all its flowers. I checked the root system and to me, it did look rather crowded, but never having had an Orchid before I have no idea what they should look like.

pansyface

The flowers do last a long time in comparison to other types of plant but even orchids have to let their flowers die eventually. They don't mind their roots being crushed into what looks like a small pot.

I only have orchids which have been given as presents so I can't speak with any kind of voice of authority. But the ones that I have are years old so I must be doing something right. The type that I have have those big flat floppy leaves which look like rabbit's ears. I water them very very occasionally and only do it by holding them over a sink and pouring about a cup of water into the pot and letting it run out intil it stops running. I then put the pot onto a saucer and leave it alone to dry there.

When I feed them I do it about twice a year and I dilute the normal plant feed with water 50/50.

I'm sure that other people will come along with better ideas.

 

Hostafan1

They sound like phalaenopsis to me.

When they're potbound, they'll send roots out above the "soil" level. They can draw moisture from the air.

I use a Baby Bio orchid liquid feed when I water mine, about once a month . I give them a good soak for about 10 mins. (I use the ceramic pots they often come in and fill them to the brim). then leave on the draining board to drain right through.

Hope this is of some help.

Danae(dan-Ah-ee)

As I have already said, I like orchids quite a lot.  Mine are the phalaenopsis kind.  I water them once a week - usually on a Sunday, so I don't forget!  I turn on the cold tap gently and give them a rinse through.  I never leave them sitting in water. 

When they are in flower, I dilute a drop of ordinary liquid flower fertilizer and feed them, but not when they're not flowering.  I do this once a week during the period they're flowering.

All my orchids were presents too.  They all came in transparent pots.  However, in time they grew huge aerial "roots" and when I potted them on, I left these exposed.  I put them in ordinary pots (plastic black to be precise), into which they just fitted, filled the space around them with moss and then placed the pots on a north facing windowsill.  They have been flowering beautifully for years.

I should love to be able to propagate them - just for the fun of it - but I believe that's rather complicated and I only have very basic facilities.  Moreover, I've never met anyone who ever tried it!