How to transplant an orchid

In our time, the orchid is no longer an "exotic miracle." Many growers have learned to grow it at home. In addition to watering and fattening, any plant from time to time needs a transplant. How to transplant an orchid without causing harm to it?

Important points

Transplant an orchid before the onset of the growing season - in the spring. It is not recommended to transplant the plant during flowering, it is better to wait out this period. Although orchids are considered exotic plants, they are more enduring than commonly believed. Also, you should choose the right container and soil.

Before you transplant an orchid, you should know when to do it and why. If in normal lighting and watering mode the leaves began to dry and turn yellow, their appearance became sluggish and drooping, which means that the plant requires "relocation".

The newly acquired plant is also better to be transplanted, because the shop pots are cramped for the growth of flowers, and the soil in them, usually, leaves much to be desired.

The time of transplantation plays an important role. Orchids can not often be transplanted, since this action serves a great stress for the flower. The frequency depends on the plant variety. Epiphytic trees growing on trees should be transplanted in 2 to 3 years once. Litophytes, terrestrial orchids, should be "resettled" every year, because during rest they lose their roots.

The most common for growing at home are orchids - phalaenopsis, they require a transplant every 6 to 8 months. This species is more suitable for living in modern apartments.

Preparation

Before you transplant an orchid, you need to prepare everything you need for this:

1. Powder. Too big pot should not be bought. The root system of the flower does not have extensive growth. The correct pot should approach the size of the plant. To do this, you need to drop the roots of the flower into it, if it fits freely there and there are about 2 cm of margin around the edges, then such a pot is suitable. It can be transplanted into an old pot if it is not subject to internal rotting and fits in size.

2.Grunt for orchids. At the choice of the soil, there are many opinions. Someone prefers to purchase a ready mix in specialized stores. Someone argues that it is better to make the mixture yourself from the following components: clay skulls, coconut shell, fern, tree bark, polystyrene, perlite, sphagnum moss and so on.

Whatever soil is not used, it is necessary to take into account that:

- the soil must be suitable for irrigation. With frequent irrigation, a drainage mixture should be chosen that does not retain moisture;

- faster decompose organic soils. If the mixture contains the bark of coniferous trees, then under normal watering it will decompose within a year.

3. A small pair of scissors. Before work they must be ignited with fire or disinfected.

4. Keramzit.

5. Activated charcoal or cinnamon.

How to transplant an orchid

Transplantation consists of the following:

- gently remove the flower from the old pot, without damaging the roots. To make the plant easier to get out of the container, it must be pre-poured;

- untangle the roots, clearing them of the old soil. Here you should be careful, because the damaged roots can lead to death of the flower;

- With the help of scissors, cut off all old and diseased roots. You can recognize them in appearance. Sick roots to the touch are soft, in color - white or yellow. Healthy roots are firm, elastic, gray or green in color. This is a very important action, since the old roots serve as a breeding ground for harmful bacteria capable of killing a plant;

- slices of roots sprinkled with crushed activated carbon or cinnamon, allow to dry for about 1.5 hours;

- the bottom of the pot, about a third, filled with expanded clay, followed by a small amount of a mixture;

- put orchid, carefully spilling all the roots and voids with soil;

- fix the flower, tying it to a stick stuck into the ground. For better soil compaction, it is necessary to tap lightly on the walls of the tank.

The transplantation of the orchid will not take more than 15 minutes and is not particularly difficult. Correctly performed actions and competent care of the flower in the future will positively affect the growth and flowering of the plant.