How to Find the Best Orchid Potting Mix
In the wild, rather than sinking their roots into the soil, most orchids normally grow in trees, perched high above the rainforest floor. You can replicate that environment with a special orchid bark mix that’s available at garden centers. It provides the quick drainage and plentiful pockets for air that orchid roots require. Mostly, though, it helps anchor plants in pots so they can grow upward. You can also use sphagnum moss, which will help keep the roots moist a little longer between waterings.
How to Choose Orchid Pots
There are specific pots on the market created just for orchids. They’re full of holes to expose the roots to more air. However, no special pot is needed; a terra-cotta or plastic pot will work just fine for most orchids. Choose a pot that’s 1 inch (at the most 2 inches) larger in diameter across the top than your present pot. The time to transplant orchids is just after they bloom, when new roots have appeared but haven’t grown longer than a half-inch, or when the roots start to crawl out of the pot.
How to Repot an Orchid
Before transferring your orchid, make sure to water it well to help it tolerate any stress from the move. Then follow these steps: Once your orchid is settled in its new pot, you can keep caring for it like you normally did before. Make sure you have it in a spot that gets bright, indirect light, and water when the potting mix is just about to go dry. Some orchids can grow for one or two years before they need repotting again, so you can sit back and enjoy its beautiful blooms for a while before needing to repeat this process.
