How to Properly Plant an Orchid in a Pot: Tips

Plants growing indoors or in apartments require care. One of these steps involves repotting old flowers and planting new ones in pots and other containers. Orchids have their own set of rules for properly repotting plants in the ground. The orchid's root system should be treated with care, as it is highly fragile. Preventative measures are necessary to prevent breakage.

How to properly plant an orchid in a pot

You can properly plant an orchid in a large pot using the developed algorithms. The detailed plan explains each step of the repotting process and provides advice. Planting orchids at home requires selecting materials (pot and substrate) based on the needs of the specific variety being grown.

One of the rules is to move the flower to a new “home” when the following conditions are met:

1. The time has come. Repotting is done every 3-4 years.
2. The soil in which the flower was planted has become unusable.
3. Parasites were found in the substrate.
4. The root system is covered with mold.
5. The previous pot became small in volume.

Is it possible to repot an orchid indoors? Repotting orchids without urgent medical advice is dangerous because they don't respond well to movement.

Choosing a pot

It's possible to grow a small orchid on any surface. For a base, choose a pot, vase, foam, rocks, etc. For beginners, it's recommended to use pots.

Before you begin planting, you should select a container:

1. In a ceramic pot. Unglazed ceramic pots are highly permeable, providing the necessary ventilation for the root system. However, one drawback of this material is reduced ventilation due to salts penetrating the ceramic pores.
2. Plastic pots and planter bases. Orchids should be planted in clear plastic. The absence of an opaque layer allows not only the plant but also its root system to access daytime sunlight. This planting option has a positive effect on the plant during the period of active growth and flowering. The transparency of the material allows for monitoring the condition of the roots, preventing rot and mold.
3. Glass. This material has its pros and cons for orchid planting. Its positive aspect is its transparency, allowing the roots to enjoy sunlight equally with the stems and leaves. Its negative aspect is that a glass pot is not universally suitable. It is suitable for a limited number of orchid varieties, whose roots are more tolerant of soil moisture. It is recommended to avoid placing the plant in a glass vase in an open area with direct sunlight. The properties of the material can cause orchid burns.

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An important criterion when choosing a container for a flowering orchid is width over height. The plant grows laterally, which explains the requirement for a wide "house."

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Soil composition

Once you've chosen a container for your plant, you need to begin preparing the soil mixture. You can purchase ready-made mixtures from the store or create your own.

Planting an orchid in a pot with homemade soil is the right choice. This is because the gardener initially selects the substrate components appropriate for the plant variety.

How to compose soil in a home environment:

1. For production, fern root crushed into small pieces (2.5-3.5 cm) is suitable.
2. You can use small pieces of pine bark.
3. Sphagnum. This type of moss is used in dried form. It acts as a moisture reserve in the pot.
4. In addition to the main material, you should add expanded clay or charcoal/activated carbon. Adding these additional components to the pot helps regulate the soil's acidity and is part of the antiseptic and drainage systems.

Root treatment

When potting an orchid, care must be taken, observing all safety precautions. This is due to the fragility of the orchid's root system and requires root treatment before beginning.

1. Water generously. This will allow the roots to become flexible. This is used to prevent broken roots when removing the plant from the pot.
2. Cleaning off soil. If any soil is sticking to the root system, all contaminants must be removed.
3. Inspection. For successful orchid planting, all parts of the plant must be healthy. A diseased root will lose its turgor and become limp and soft. An unpleasant odor and color changes may give it away.
4. Removal. Identified diseased and empty roots should be removed from the plant. To do this, cut off the affected part, leaving 0.5 cm of healthy material.
5. Treatment. The cut areas should be dusted with charcoal powder. This serves as a disinfectant and prevents root infections.

When a diseased plant is placed in new soil, the substrate becomes contaminated. This condition will require repotting. Since orchids don't tolerate changes in "home" well, the risk of flower death increases.

Step-by-step planting instructions

There are many methods, including unconventional and unusual ways of planting orchids. These include planting the plant in rocks, foam bases, pots, or wicker or wicker baskets.

Beginners are advised to plant orchids at home using the classic method:

1. The first step involves preparing the plant and root system for planting in new soil. Remove the orchid from its old container, inspect the roots, and, if necessary, treat the cut surfaces with charcoal. Allow the plant to "breathe" in the fresh air for a few hours.
2. Next, prepare the substrate. If you're using store-bought soil, it's recommended to let it dry for 10-15 minutes. If you're making your own, you can pour it directly into the container you've chosen.
3. The next step is planting the orchid in a pot. This must be done carefully to avoid damaging the fragile root system.
4. Plant anchoring. Initially, after planting in a new substrate, the plant doesn't have time to establish roots, which causes the flower to fall over. To prevent damage to the plant, it's best to secure it in the soil with a sling.

Compliance with all work points ensures correct planting and the speed of orchid adaptation.

Landing features

Due to the availability of various plant varieties for home cultivation, planting specifics for a number of orchids have arisen:

1. Phalaenopsis and the Vandaceae tribe. For planting, use a container with transparent walls. The walls should have drainage holes. Add pebbles or expanded clay to the bottom for drainage. It is recommended to place a small block of foam in the center of the pot. Next, fill the container with a substrate containing particles up to 3.5 cm in diameter. The larger size is necessary to create voids in the soil. Position the plant so that only the root system is submerged in the substrate.
2. Moisture-loving orchid species (madevalias, oncidiums, etc.) require a large drainage layer half the size of the chosen planting container. Place the growing medium on top of the drainage layer to a depth of 9-10 cm. Place the plant in the soil up to the ground.
3. Sympodial plant species. Use a low, wide bowl with a drainage layer at the bottom. The substrate can contain small pine cones or bottle caps. The orchid itself should be planted at the edge of the bowl. This allows for comfortable root growth.

To ensure proper planting, you need to know the variety of orchid you've chosen and its development characteristics.

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Securing the flower and care after planting

You can use a stick to tie the orchid stem to as a support. If you're planting a short flower or a baby orchid, a soft material tie attached to a hole in the rim of the pot will suffice.

If you need to plant several orchids in one pot, each one should be individually secured in the soil. This will prevent a "chain reaction" if one orchid is poorly secured.

The process of moving Moving an orchid from an old pot to a new one is stressful for the flower. For this reason, the orchid's care phase begins as soon as it's planted in its container:

1. A week-long quarantine for the plant. This period involves moving the plant to a cool, shady location.
2. It is recommended to suspend watering for 5-7 days from the moment of planting.
3. Checking the substrate and timely replacement of individual parts if necessary.

If the plant has taken root, after 7 days it can be returned to its usual conditions.

Orchids are easy to care for and require minimal gardening skills. Care for these varieties requires careful watering and proper lighting. This contributes to their popularity among indoor flower gardeners. Orchids can be planted in pots, vases, baskets, planters, and even on wooden blocks. It is recommended to follow developed planting procedures. The subsequent life of the plant depends on the quality of preparation and planting.