You've heard the expression that something was "LOVED" to death......well that is what frequently happens to orchids. Their owners LOVE them to death. Orchids really do thrive on benign neglect. Orchids thrive through all kinds of conditions, yet once people get their hands on them they can easily die. A lot of it has to do with over watering, and over feeding......that is LOVING them to death!
Orchids are found in the wild in all 50 states....Yes, even in Alaska! There are around 20,000 different species of orchids in the world, and they grow everywhere except the extreme arctic, the harshest deserts, and in the ocean. So this has to prove that orchids are not the delicate little flowers that many people believe they are.
I have grown orchids for about 10 years and have about 100 (give or take) orchids right now. Many are in need of re-potting, so I'll show you a fool proof way to repot your orchid so you will NEVER be able to "love" it to death, by over watering it.
Orchids are essentially "air plants". MOST (but not all) do NOT grow in soil.
Orchids are found in the wild in all 50 states....Yes, even in Alaska! There are around 20,000 different species of orchids in the world, and they grow everywhere except the extreme arctic, the harshest deserts, and in the ocean. So this has to prove that orchids are not the delicate little flowers that many people believe they are.
I have grown orchids for about 10 years and have about 100 (give or take) orchids right now. Many are in need of re-potting, so I'll show you a fool proof way to repot your orchid so you will NEVER be able to "love" it to death, by over watering it.
Orchids are essentially "air plants". MOST (but not all) do NOT grow in soil.
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Signing UpStep 1: Step 1: When To Repot
OK, so first things first. This Instructable is is for repotting an orchid that is NOT in bloom (preferably it has just finished blooming), and has out grown it's pot. You can see orchids literally "climbing" out of their pots. Sometimes their roots will engulf the whole pot. If your orchid seems to be dying, it's time to take a look at the roots, and repot. Many times the moss or bark your orchid is probably potted in is breaking down....That won't happen any more! PLEASE NOTE: the roots curled outside the pot. The dark spots on the orchid are sunburn spots, bumps, bruises, and dirt. Orchids that are not blooming are not overly pretty plants IMHO.
The orchid I'm repotting is in the Cattleya family (or maybe a laelia cross). A friend has given me several orchids that have either never been repotted, or are sorely in need of it. This orchid did not have an identification tag so I don't know what it is for sure. It's an orphan. :-(
NOTE*** (and yes I'm yelling) NEVER EVER THROW AWAY THE ORCHIDS NAME TAG! When you repot an orchid make sure you make a new name tag! Use a pencil to write on the tag, and coat in clear nail polish
Not all orchids should be repotted using this medium (gravel/rocks) but this is GREAT for Cattleyas (corsage orchid), Dendrobiums, and Oncidiums.
I would NOT use rock to repot Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid) since it likes to be kept damp.
The orchid I'm repotting is in the Cattleya family (or maybe a laelia cross). A friend has given me several orchids that have either never been repotted, or are sorely in need of it. This orchid did not have an identification tag so I don't know what it is for sure. It's an orphan. :-(
NOTE*** (and yes I'm yelling) NEVER EVER THROW AWAY THE ORCHIDS NAME TAG! When you repot an orchid make sure you make a new name tag! Use a pencil to write on the tag, and coat in clear nail polish
Not all orchids should be repotted using this medium (gravel/rocks) but this is GREAT for Cattleyas (corsage orchid), Dendrobiums, and Oncidiums.
I would NOT use rock to repot Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid) since it likes to be kept damp.
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