Expert advice on when to repot and how to care for aerial roots
Orchids are a fascinating houseplant choice, and among the best indoor flowering plants, with their long-lasting display of exotic blooms. There are a number of things you can to do take care of orchids indoors. They are easy to grow and will add a touch of elegance to any room.
Moth orchids, also known as Phalaenopsis, are a popular choice for their arching stems, shapely foliage and beautiful blooms. In their natural environment orchids are epiphytic, meaning they grow on other plants like tree trunks and gain moisture and nutrients through their aerial roots rather than in soil.
That’s why it’s best to pot orchids in a medium like bark, allowing for water to drain well and stop the roots from rotting. You can buy the appropriate medium for orchids online, like this orchid potting mix from Greendigs.
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Aerial roots tend to have a mind of their own and will start to grow rigorously above the surface of the potting medium. While many orchid owners like this look and will leave them as they are, you may decide to transfer your orchid and its tangling roots into a larger container. We asked the experts on how best to do it.
5 STEPS TO REPOT YOUR ORCHID’S AERIAL ROOTS
Working with aerial roots may seem daunting, but we’ve gathered expert advice on what to do with those long intertwining roots when rehoming your orchid.
Vladan Nikolic from Mr. Houseplant recommends just a few materials to get started with repotting:
- A new pot with drainage holes
- Bark or sphagnum moss
- Scissors or pruning shears
- Rubbing alcohol
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1. Carefully Remove The Orchid From Its Pot
The first thing to do when repotting your orchid is to take it out of its current container. Aerial roots like to grow in all sorts of directions, so take care not to damage any in the process.
‘If it’s root-bound, try to shake the pot and give the sides a tap. Then use the ends of a spoon or fork to create a space between the potting material and the pot’s walls,’ says Carmella de Castro, owner of Orchid Republic Floral Boutique, a luxury florist based in California.
NOTE – This article was originally published in homesandgardens and can be viewed here
