Do I repot now or wait? 🌸
I got this orchid recently and it was planted in this substrate that feels really tough—I have a bark mix I would like to repot it in, but it still has one bloom left—is it best to go ahead and repot now anyway due to the mix it’s in, or does it seem healthy enough that I should wait until the last bloom drops? ~ (I’m sorry if the pictures are sideways like they show for me, it keeps doing that for some reason!) #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #PhalaenopsisOrchid #Phalaenopsis #OrchidLovers #PlantTherapy #PlantLove
0ft to light, indirect
4” pot with drainage
Last watered 4 weeks ago
15
You could do what I did the other day. I clipped off the remaining flower spike and put it in a vase with water. The blooms actually last quite a while if you change the water every couple of days.
I needed to repot one orchid and didn’t want to wait for the second one to finish blooming, so now I’m just enjoying the flowers in a vase instead.
I needed to repot one orchid and didn’t want to wait for the second one to finish blooming, so now I’m just enjoying the flowers in a vase instead.
@LeisuredBeebalm aww you’re so sweet! Orchids are one of the few plants I historically struggle with, but I currently have one that is doing very well in Leca!
It is currently in peat moss most commercial garden centers put their orchids in straight peat moss. I would cut the flower spikes with clean (rubbing alcohol) sharp scissors. Then replant in your medium of choice. I like spagnum moss the best in a terracotta pot. Then start fertilizing every other week with Jacks classic 20-20-20 diluted to a quart potency. The spring is time for blooms and roots. I would also put outside in a shaded area if you live in a warm enough climate.
I’ve replanted plenty of orchids while in bud or bloom and never had any issue; the biggest thing to be careful of is ensuring you don’t accidentally knock the buds against something / cause damage during the repot, and be careful not to crack or snap any roots (obviously remove anything that is black/rotting). I would NOT cut that spike.
That said, if you’re going from what looks like a peat pellet to bark, if you don’t sustain the level of humidity it’s used to having around its roots there is a possibility it could freak out over that because it could think it’s going into a dry season and want to retain moisture. Peat pellets hold a ton of moisture, and it’s likely why those roots are thick and juicy.
Since it sounds like it is later in a bloom cycle it doesn’t really matter, but to reduce the likelihood of it freaking out I would repot it in that same pot so it doesn’t dry out too fast, and consider mixing some loose sphagnum moss in with your bark.
That said, if you’re going from what looks like a peat pellet to bark, if you don’t sustain the level of humidity it’s used to having around its roots there is a possibility it could freak out over that because it could think it’s going into a dry season and want to retain moisture. Peat pellets hold a ton of moisture, and it’s likely why those roots are thick and juicy.
Since it sounds like it is later in a bloom cycle it doesn’t really matter, but to reduce the likelihood of it freaking out I would repot it in that same pot so it doesn’t dry out too fast, and consider mixing some loose sphagnum moss in with your bark.
@smushface thank you so much for letting me knoww, it truly helps a lot! I don’t currently have any sphagnum moss and only have the bark—is it best to leave it in what it’s in until I get my hands on some?
@pinkmilk I think it’s fine to repot, I would just repot it in the same pot (because it doesn’t have side holes and you can see the roots) and keep a close eye on the roots to make sure it’s not staying overly dry… point is to keep root humidity high without it being ‘wet’, and to avoid making it think there has been some seasonal change in its environment.
In taking a closer look at your spikes it does look like it’s already draining one of them (the topmost part) but there are others with small buds, so I would cut the top of that tallest spike under the green used node below that yellow part (there is an example here https://www.aos.org/orchid-care/more-questions-answered/where-do-i-cut-the-spike)
In taking a closer look at your spikes it does look like it’s already draining one of them (the topmost part) but there are others with small buds, so I would cut the top of that tallest spike under the green used node below that yellow part (there is an example here https://www.aos.org/orchid-care/more-questions-answered/where-do-i-cut-the-spike)
@smushface I greatly appreciate all of your help, thank you so muchhh!! <3