There is something magical about the graceful appearance of orchids. Their blooms are splashed with a variety colors, shapes, and sizes that makes you want to purchase more and more. Knowing the right time to repot your orchid is critical to keeping it thriving for years to come. Learn how to indicate when you should repot your orchid for its max health!
Ripe Smell
If you notice an unpleasant odor around your orchid, it’s likely your potting medium (wood bark etc) itself has started to decompose. When this happens, the orchid is no longer receiving proper air circulation or necessary nutrients it needs to remain healthy and grow. Repotting and replacing the medium would be the most proactive step. It does not require a larger container, just fresh potting medium.
Where to find affordable potting medium- Amazon
Change In Root Color
Unfortunately, dying bark holds onto more water than necessary causing the plant to drown in moisture. Your roots will begin to look brown and/or soft thus leading to a possibly fungal disease. Repotting can fix this. Be sure to allow your roots to dry out a tab bit as well then replace potting medium. Also if a fungal disease appear, be sure to remove diseased roots with a sharp and sterile utensil then continue to re-pot.
Tangled Roots
This might be the hardest to identify because orchids and every plant’s roots appear to look tangled. The best way to id tightly tangled roots is to pay attention to detail over time. Remembering what your orchid’s roots look like over a period of time, will be your best friend in determining if the roots are overcrowded and need a new home.
Sickly Appearance
If your orchid appears sick or unhealthy, repotting and replacing potting medium and the pot itself it the first step to nursing it back to health. Sickly appearance can be dying leaves, stems, and/or falling blooms. Most likely a combination of the problems listed above is the issue and your orchid wants a new home.
Here are some BGWG favorites when it comes to orchids
Purchase unique and creative orchids HERE
We found some beautiful vases for orchids HERE
Repotting your orchid immediate after purchasing AND the last bloom falls and every 1-2 years is our best advice to keep your orchids thriving!
Jaime Semien
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