Is it possible to repot an orchid during flowering?

Orchid

Repotting a blooming orchid should only be done in extreme cases. Experienced gardeners say this must be done carefully, with extreme caution, to avoid damaging the plant. This exotic flower grows along the banks of the Amazon River (USA), where the climate is warm and humid almost year-round. It is remarkable in every way: from its snake-like roots to its tall stature. peduncle to the conditions of existenceIt requires special care and attention. Caring for such a plant at home is difficult, especially when it comes to repotting it during flowering.

In what cases is a transplant necessary?

The orchid bloom period lasts from 3 to 8 months. During this time, situations may arise that require urgent repotting. Using the example of a Phalaenopsis orchid growing indoors, we'll explore the reasons why it needs to be repotted even while blooming:

perhaps the plant was attacked by parasites (mites) or other pests;
signs of disease (root rot, color spot, etc.) became noticeable;
the roots have grown a lot, meaning the pot for the plant has become too small;
if the substrate is not suitable for growing orchids, or its quality has deteriorated over time;
The flower's roots have grown to the walls of the container, which prevents them from developing.

Caring gardeners won't let their flowers suffer from such inconveniences. Without waiting for the end of flowering, they prepare them for planting in a new container.

Not all novice gardeners are familiar with the intricacies of the procedure. The advantages and disadvantages that may arise during repotting should be considered before attempting to repot an orchid during flowering. The main question many orchid owners have is what happens if they repot a blooming Phalaenopsis orchid. What to watch out for, and what can be done without risking harm to the plant.

The main, undoubtedly important advantage of replanting a blooming orchid is the preservation of the plant, protecting it from further wilting or even death.

A major drawback is the risk of losing the plant due to improper care by the grower. When an orchid has released its flower stalk, all its energy is focused on forming the flower stalk. The rest of the plant, particularly the roots, is weakened. The root system will be the first to suffer if care is improper.

However, it is possible to move a flower from one pot to another according to all the rules, taking into account the characteristics of the plant, carefully preparing it, and only then transplant the phalaenopsis.

Basic rules

During flowering, the fragile flower devotes all its energy to forming a flower stalk, which then sprouts to form buds. The size of the flower stalk depends on the plant variety and its age. It's important to anticipate the risk of damage to the flower to avoid accidentally damaging weakened roots and shoots.

Peculiarities

Orchids are plants with aerial roots. These are covered in velamen, a porous tissue that absorbs water and air. For normal development, the flower requires high humidity and ample oxygen. Hybrid varieties are adapted to indoor conditions. Beginner gardeners are best off growing phalaenopsis, dendrobium, and epidendrum. More experienced gardeners choose brassia, coelogyne, dendrobium nobile, cattleya, cymbidium, and miltonia.

Preparation

The preparatory work consists of two important points.

Choosing the right pot

For plants whose roots are a necessary component of photosynthesis, a transparent pot is needed, but preferably made of plastic rather than glass.

Make several holes in the bottom of the container to allow excess moisture to drain properly. It's best to choose ceramic pots with a glazed surface inside the pot. This will prevent the orchid's roots from sticking to the sides.

The container size should be neither too large nor too small, so that the root system can grow freely, but the green mass does not grow excessively.

You can determine the pot size by measuring the diameter of the plant's root system. The bottom of the container should be 3-4 centimeters larger.

Substrate composition

In a room with low humidity, it's best to plant the flower in a soil with a higher moisture content. This soil should dry out completely within 3-5 days.

The soil composition should consist of components that do not compact and do not form a crust on the surface after watering.

Suitable ingredients for Phalaenopsis orchids include shredded pine bark (2/3 parts) and sphagnum moss (1/3 part). You can add a cup of charcoal and coarse peat to this mixture.

The tree bark is disinfected in boiling water for 5-7 minutes. The water is drained and the mixture is separated into two equal parts, one fine and one coarser.

The moss is soaked for 24 hours in warm (+50°C) water with potassium permanganate.

Mix all ingredients in a bowl, pour in a solution with added orchid fertilizer, and let sit for 2-3 hours. Once the substrate has dried slightly, proceed to repotting the plant.

Transplantation sequence

The new container is washed in a warm soda solution, rinsed, and dried with napkins.
Drainage material: pebbles or small broken bricks, pour in a strong manganese solution, leave for 20 minutes, dry slightly in the air, pour into the pot to a height of 1-2 cm.
Remove the orchid from its previous pot, carefully remove the old substrate from the roots (with a brush), rinse with a watering can with small holes, and dry for 5-7 hours.
All flower stalks are shortened by 2-3 cm. This will ensure rapid rooting of the plant.
Damaged roots are removed completely or partially, as needed. If the root system has been infected with fungus, it is treated with antimicrobial solutions (calcium permanganate, furacilin, or hydrogen peroxide).
The prepared flower is placed vertically on the drainage layer. The plant is held in this position and covered with substrate on all sides. Coarsely chopped bark is placed on top.

Care and flowering after transplantation

Is it possible to repot a blooming Phalaenopsis orchid if it's not necessary? This is strongly discouraged. It's best not to subject the plant to unnecessary stress. Enjoy the beautiful flower, and wait until the flowering period is over to repot. During the dormant stage, the orchid won't experience such discomfort when being moved to a new pot.

The reason is that all plants react differently to transplantation. Some hybrids are very delicate and fragile, and they can become ill if handled carelessly. This requires special care.

How to care for a plant after replanting

The goal of special care is to preserve the orchid's condition and restore its health if it's been ill. It's important to properly perform all the steps necessary to carefully care for this capricious, yet very fragile flower:

place the container with the flower away from direct, scorching rays of the sun for 1-3 weeks;
it cannot be moved or rearranged;
the room temperature should not be higher than +23°C, humidity within 60-70%;
the first time after replanting you can water the orchid after 3-5 days, the next watering - after 2 weeks;
the water must be purified from impurities and heated to +35-40°C;
Complex fertilizer for orchids is applied after a month.

Formation of flower stalks and possible problems

If the necessary conditions are met, the plant will quickly adapt to the new pot and substrate, will not get sick, and will continue to bloom without any problems.

However, if the watering and fertilizing regime is not followed, negative symptoms may appear:

Undesirable characteristics	Reasons for occurrence	How to fix
Withering	Root damage during repotting. Lack of air, excess moisture, drafts, overheating. Excessive fertilizing, pests.	To restore the root system, the plant needs rest and the correct balance of air, water, and fertilizer. Choose a shaded location free from drafts. Preventative treatment with chemicals is used to control pests.
Yellowing of leaves	The same + low temperatures	The methods of elimination are the same (see above)
Flower stalks are not formed	The air temperature has dropped. Watering and lighting regimes have been disrupted.	To stimulate the orchid to produce flower stalks, use Epin or succinic acid. If there's insufficient light, add diffused light sources. Stop watering for 10-14 days. Sometimes a sudden change in air temperature can stimulate the plant. At night, keep the balcony at 18°C, and during the day, bring it into a room where the temperature is above 25°C.

Different species and varieties of orchids bloom for the first time at the age of 9 months to 2-3 years.

It's essential to save your orchid from disease or protect it from harmful insects, whether it's blooming or dormant. In some cases, this can only be achieved by repotting. Don't worry about your orchid going dormant for a long time. The important thing is that you're saving your beloved orchid. Be sure to follow all the steps correctly; your efforts and patience will be rewarded. After the recovery period, your orchid will bloom again, delighting you with its magnificent appearance.