Orchid Potting Tips
Pots
The first step in potting an orchid is choosing a container. Plastic pots are lightweight and inexpensive. Opt for a light color as these reflect, rather than absorb heat.
Plastic pots retain moisture, an issue if you tend to over-water. Ensure that your plastic pot has proper drainage holes or mesh to prevent problems. Some gardeners may prefer the look of natural clay or terra cotta pots. These vessels are more porous and dry out more quickly, a problem if you forget to water consistently.
Be aware that salts from hard water can accumulate on the walls of clay pots, causing damage to orchid roots. An outdoor alternative is a basket, which would allow maximum aeration of the roots. Choose a small pot that will allow room for the orchid roots, but is not over-sized. An overlarge container can lead to over-watering and eventually root rot.
Vibrant Varieties
Once your pot is chosen, it’s time decide what kind of orchid you want to grow. There are several orchids considered friendly for beginners: Brassavola, Brassia, Cattleya, Cymbidium, Encyclia, Epidendrum, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum, Phaius, Phalaenopsis, Spathoglottis. These varieties, among others, tend to be hardier and easier to care for, with less specialized needs and attention. Online resources can provide visuals for all of the types listed, so you have an idea of what appeals to you. A visit to a local nursery should provide you with ample stock to choose from.
The Right Medium for Growing
When you have chosen your plants, consult with the nursery staff, plant literature, or the internet to determine what kind of growing media will be the most accommodating to your choice.
Orchids can grow in multiple mediums or composts. The type of organic, inorganic, or mixture that you choose will depend on the type of orchid you are planting. Different species vary in their requirements.
Nurseries carry orchid pots and mixes for the main groups of orchids, making it easy and convenient for beginners. Fir bark is inexpensive and easy to handle, making it the most popular of the organic media. Many growers mix it with Pearlite (processed volcanic material) to assist in water retention. Be careful, though: the main drawback to fir bark is the rapidity with which it breaks down, causing it to compact and limit aeration of the roots.
Tree-fern fiber resists decay and has very good aeration, but can be very expensive and difficult to find. Redwood bark, similar to fir bark, is more resistant to decay, so this may be a better option.
Hardwood charcoal is often used with redwood bark to absorb acids naturally produced by redwood. Coconut-husk fibers, best used in baskets, are lightweight and inexpensive, but tend to decay rapidly once exposed to moisture.
Mosses and Inorganic Media
Another popular option is sphagnum moss, which comes in many forms. Live sphagnum is the first choice for orchids, though it can be very costly. Dried sphagnum moss must be thoroughly moistened before potting. Tip: Wear gloves when working with sphagnum as it can occasionally contain a fungus transferable to humans.
Solite, Alifor, and Vermiculite are inorganic additives formed into small chunks and incorporated into your potting mix to assist in maintaining moisture levels and exposure to air.
Continuing Care of Your Orchids
All compost should be moist and placed firmly around the roots of the orchid to prevent movement. Packing the mix too tightly can result in root damage and lack of proper conditions for absorption of water and oxygen.
Once your orchid is settled in its new home, it probably won’t need repotting for quite awhile. If the root system begins to grow outside of the pot, there is no room for new growth, or the growing media has decayed, it is time to repot.
If possible, it is best to wait to repot until after your orchids finish flowering in the spring, unless the plant is damaged or unhealthy. Water the plant thoroughly so that roots are easier to handle without breakage. Gently remove the orchid from its pot, handling the roots gently. Healthy roots appear pale; dark brown or black roots are rotten and should be cut off. (Any roots that have grown outside of the pot may be cut back to 3 inches long as they would most likely be broken during repotting.)
Clean excess soil and potting mix from around roots as it can decay and eventually cause root rot. Place stones, Pearlite, or other chips in the base of the new pot to assure adequate drainage. Place your orchid in the new pot, leaving about 1 inch at the top for watering. Surround the plant with growing medium (compost) as you did when originally potting your orchid. Now sit back and enjoy your gorgeous orchids!
