Do I have to repot?

[FLLAURA]

First off, I'm new and I am thrilled that I have found this site. Very informative and caring.

Question: I have some very healthy orchid plants that have multiplied like crazy and rebloomed. They are in the original plastic pots which came in clay pots. Is it OK to just let them be? The roots on one are growing and clinging to the outside of the clay pot, but look very healthy.

Thanks in advance for any input!

[CharliesAngel51]

What kind of orchids are they? How long have you had them? When you have made 5 posts you can post pictures. It would help to see pictures.

Welcome , glad you are joining us.

[FLLAURA]

One is a dendrobium and I've had it 2-3 years

[digitalgate]

repotting is not an easy task for green hand. The easliest method is to put it into a new pot and not move the plant for at least 6 months. wish you luck on the repotting.

[tansyflower]

I love repotting stuff- so I say yes!

But you do need to know beforehand what you are going to repot into- pot type, shape and size- and also which medium you are going to use- so that you can soak your mix if needed.

Most orchids don't like being potted into a too-big pot. If needed, just go up a pot size. Otherwise you can just change to fresh mix, and put it back in the same pot, as the old mix is often decomposing. It is usually a good idea to put some chunks of Styrofoam in the bottom to increase drainage.

Repotting also gives you a chance to have a look at the roots, and make sure they are as healthy on the inside of the pot as they seem to be on the outside. Trim all the old dead roots off, as they sometimes forma squishy rotting lump that makes good roots rot as well.

Also, if orchids are stuck- give them a good soak to loosen them up. I always end up losing a few roots when I repot, so don't be too devastated if some get stuck to the pot or accidentally broken.

Have fun!

[FLLAURA]

Thank you all for your advice! I think i'll stay put for awhile LOL... at least til they're done blooming for the season... have a feeling they're good and stuck... and in the meantime figure out the best thing to repot with... have orchid bark, but from what I'm reading here on other threads, I'm supposed to be mixing that with other stuff.

[digitalgate]

a picture of the plant would be very nice. It will say a lot about the plant.

[PhalNewbie89]

I have recently acquired a phalaenopsis orchid that my aunt got for her birthday and didnt want to take care of. I am visiting her in Jersey and will soon have to take it on the road with me back to Kentucky. The plant is in full bloom and looks beautiful but when i look at the clear pot it is in I can see that it is completely root bound and roots have started popping out of the top. I am new to orchids so I have no idea what I should do with it. What kind of pot should I put it in? What kind of substrate does it need? and how soon after moving it would be best for repotting it? Or does it really need to be repotted yet?