When and how to transplant orchids?

Our Orchids They are one of the most elegant plants that are usually had inside the home. For many, they are the ones that have the most elegant and decorative flowers, as well as curious, sometimes even adopting animal forms.

But so that they can grow well it is necessary that we change them from time to time. You have to know well when to transplant orchids and how to do it correctly. Therefore, we are going to explain how and when to transplant orchids.

When to transplant orchids?

Our Orchids They are plants that begin to grow in spring, when temperatures begin to rise from 10-15ºC. Thus, the ideal is to transplant them a little before that happens, that is, late winter or early springevery two years. In this way, the plant can resume its growth without problems, as the environment becomes warmer.

On some occasions it may be more convenient to wait a little longer for make sure completely that there will be no frost in spring. This also depends on where we have the plant. If it is indoors, it is usually more protected against frost and changes in temperatures.

In the event that you live in an area with a mild climate, where frosts never occur, you can do so in autumn, when they have finished flowering.

There are some signs that tell us when to transplant orchids. We just have to look at these signs:

• One of the parts of the orchid that grows the most is the roots, so it is common to observe some roots growing above the substrate and outside the pot. This is where we need to transplant orchids.
• It may be the case of not having many roots outside the pot but you can see that the roots occupy the entire interior of the pot.
• Very deteriorated or dry roots can be observed and of a brown color. This means that it must be transferred to a larger pot.
• There are times when it is not necessary to change the size of the pot, but prune the roots to be able to sanitize them. Incidentally, it is also advisable to change the substrate.
• The orchids need a light substrate that allows air to pass through. If it begins to cake, it is normal that orchids have to be transplanted through the degraded substrate.

How to transplant orchids?

The first thing to do is prepare what is going to be used, which is:

• Flower pot: it must be colorless if the orchid is epiphytic, and made of plastic. An epiphytic orchid is one that has aerial roots and does not need to be in the ground. In these cases we have various irrigation mechanisms and varieties of epiphytic orchids.
• Substratum: pine bark if it is epiphytic, or coconut fiber with black peat mixed in equal parts if it is terrestrial.
• Watering can: with rainwater, or acidified with lemon (I recommend adding the liquid of half a lemon to 1 liter of the precious liquid).
• Balls of expanded or sinila clay: to improve drainage. The sewer system is the capacity of the soil to absorb irrigation water per day. Any plant that has good drainage is important, especially those that do not tolerate puddles. With the improved drainage the pot will not accumulate water.

Afterwards, it will be transplanted as follows:

Epiphytic orchid

1. Soak the pot in water for 2 hours before transplanting.
2. Remove the plant from the pot.
3. Gently remove any adhering substrate.
4. Fill the pot with a 1cm layer of clay balls.
5. Add the substrate.
6. Plant the orchid.
7. Finish filling the pot with the substrate.
8. And water.

Terrestrial orchid

1. Put a layer of clay balls in your new pot.
2. Fill it with a little substrate.
3. Pick the orchid and plant it in its new pot.
4. Finish filling it with substrate.
5. And water.

This way, your orchids can continue to grow normally.

Orchid characteristics

Orchids are plants that have undergone some changes in recent years due to various migrations and adaptations of the environment. These adaptations have led to the emergence of different varieties and each one has a flower with particularities in each species. However, there are some characteristics that stand out in all of them and it is what makes them belong to the same group.

The orchids they have three sepals, two petals and a lip which serves to attract pollinating insects that are going to be in charge of expanding their power. The shape of orchids allows bees and other pollinating insects to comfortably perch on the flowers. Its reproductive structure is formed by a column that functions all its main parts.

With regard to the fruit of orchids this is a capsule It contains inside many seeds of a small flower size. What allows it to be spread quickly in a territory. Through these adaptations and changes to improve the environment and its competitiveness with other plants, it has been able to develop all these reproduction mechanisms.

When the plant blooms, it attracts attention since flower stem rotates 180 degrees before opening to fully expose lip to pollinators. This is known as resupination and it is one of the most curious processes that has been documented by researchers.

Unlike other flowers they are producers of nectar. Nectar is a highly valued substance by all pollinators. This ensures the plant to be able to have an almost assured reproduction even in adverse situations. This means that they need pollinators to be able to produce seeds and expand in their territory.

These are the reasons why orchids have been so successful and are found almost all over the world. However, keep in mind that needs certain care and if we want transplant orchids From one pot to another, you have to pay attention to the time of year and the transplanting mechanism so as not to damage the plant.