Orchids are a beautiful and unique flower that is loved by people. The cultivation of orchids requires certain skills and careful maintenance, among which changing pots and transplanting is a very important step. Repotting and transplanting can allow the roots of the orchid to get more air and nutrients, prolong the life of the orchid, and promote the growth and flowering of the orchid. However, repotting and transplanting can also cause some damage to orchids, so it needs to be done at the right time, and there are some details to be aware of. This article will introduce the correct method and precautions for repotting and transplanting orchids to help you raise orchids better.
The soil in which the orchid is cultivated gradually decomposes, resulting in nutrient loss, so the orchid needs to be repotted and transplanted every one to two years. For most species of orchids, spring and autumn are the best seasons to repot and transplant, as they grow faster and are better able to adapt to their new environment. In addition, according to the specific situation of the orchid to determine whether it needs to be repotted and transplanted, the following are some common judgment bases:
Orchids have already bloomed and are growing new roots or leaves. At this time, the vitality of the orchid is stronger, it can withstand the pressure of changing pots and transplanting, and the new cultivation soil can provide more nutrients for the orchid and promote the growth and flowering of the orchid.
The orchid has already covered the pot, and the plant body, including the roots, extends out of the pot. At this time, there is not enough space and air in the roots of the orchid, which is easy to cause root rot and pests and diseases, affecting the health of the orchid. Repotting and transplanting can allow more space and air for the roots of the orchid, prevent root rot and pests and diseases, and improve the disease resistance of the orchid.
Orchids currently have neither flowering nor buds. At this time, the growth of orchids is dormant and will not affect flowering due to repotting and transplanting. Repotting and transplanting can provide better growing conditions for orchids and stimulate the growth and flowering of orchids.
The pot is broken. At this time, the pot can no longer provide a good growth environment for orchids, which is easy to cause the loss of cultivation soil and the exposure of roots, affecting the growth and flowering of orchids. Repotting and transplanting can provide an intact pot for the orchid, keeping the soil stable and the roots protected.
Orchids have serious pests and diseases. At this time, the vitality of orchids is weak, and it is necessary to change pots and transplant to remove the source of pests and diseases, prevent the spread of pests and diseases, and at the same time provide more nutrients and air to orchids, and enhance the resistance and resilience of orchids.
The cultivation soil is always wet and cannot drain properly. At this time, the cultivation soil has lost its air permeability and drainage, which is easy to cause hypoxia and rot of the roots, affecting the growth and flowering of orchids. Repotting and transplanting can provide a new soil for the orchid, maintain the permeability and drainage of the soil, and allow the roots of the orchid to breathe and absorb water.
Before changing the pot and transplanting the orchid, you need to prepare the following tools and materials:
New pots。Choose the right size and texture for new pots. The size of the pot should meet the needs of the orchid for the next one to two years, but it is not recommended to choose an oversized size. Generally speaking, one size larger than the current pot will do. The texture of the flower pot should choose good air permeability and drainage, such as plastic flower pots or terracotta flower pots. There should be some holes in the side walls of the pot to allow better air circulation. To prevent water accumulation, shallow basins should be chosen instead of deep ones. There should be drainage holes at the bottom of the pot so that the water of the cultivation soil can be drained.
New cultivation soil。The new cultivation soil should be suitable for the growth of orchids, which is generally loose culture soil, with large pieces of bark and other organic matter added to it. Commonly used soils for orchid cultivation include coconut shell blocks, moss, perlite, fir bark, and their mixtures. The new soil should be disinfected before use to kill bacteria and fungi, and at the same time, it should be soaked for one to two hours to allow the soil to fully absorb water, and then rinsed with running water to remove dirt and dregs.
Trim tool。Pruning tools should be a sharp knife or scissors to prune the diseased roots and dead leaves of orchids. Pruning tools should be disinfected before use to prevent the spread of germs. There are many ways to disinfect it, such as burning it with fire, soaking it in disinfectant solution, or boiling it with water.
Cinnamon powder or fungicide。Cinnamon powder or fungicides are used to sterilize and preservate the wounds of orchids to prevent orchids from being infected with pests and diseases. Cinnamon powder is a natural fungicide that can be sprinkled directly on the cut surface of the orchid. Fungicides should be used exclusively for orchids and in accordance with the dosage and method of the instructions.
Thin bamboo poles and cords。Thin bamboo poles and cords are used to hold the orchid in place to prevent it from lodging or shaking.
The specific steps of repotting and transplanting orchids are as follows:
In the first step, the orchid is removed from the old pot. Before taking it out, it is necessary to water the orchid thoroughly to allow the roots to absorb enough water, which can reduce the damage to the roots. Then, gently pat the side wall of the pot with your hands to loosen the cultivation soil, and then gently support the orchid with your hands and pour out the orchid along with the cultivation soil. If the roots of the orchid are tightly connected to the pot, you can use a knife to cut along the inner wall of the pot and remove the orchid.
The second step is to clean the roots of the orchid. Rinse the roots of the orchid under running water to remove old cultivation soil and debris. Then, use a pruning tool to prune off the diseased roots and dead leaves of the orchid. Diseased old stump roots are characterized by softness, blackness, odor or hollowness, and dead leaves are characterized by dryness, yellowing or shedding. Prune along the direction of root growth, from the tip to the neck, and try to preserve healthy roots. After pruning, the wound of the orchid should be sterilized and embalmed with cinnamon powder or fungicide to prevent the orchid from being infected with pests and diseases.
In the third step, place the orchid in a new pot. Spread a layer of soil about 2 cm thick on the bottom of the new pot, then lay the roots of the orchid on the soil, so that the root neck of the orchid is level with the edge of the pot, and the growth point of the orchid is towards the center of the pot. Then fill the cultivation soil around the roots of the orchid, with a thickness of about 3 cm, and gently press with your hands to let the cultivation soil be in close contact with the roots, but not too tight, and keep a certain amount of space. Finally, use a thin bamboo pole and a soft rope to secure the orchid in the pot to prevent the orchid from lodging or shaking.
The fourth step is to water and fertilize the orchids. After changing pots and transplanting, the orchids should be watered thoroughly so that the cultivation soil can fully absorb water, and at the same time, the dust and salt in the cultivation soil can also be washed out. When watering, be careful not to water the center of the orchid and the flowers, so as not to cause rot. After watering, place the pot in a well-ventilated area to allow excess water to drain out. Do not fertilize the orchid within a month after changing the pot and transplanting, so as not to irritate the wound of the orchid and affect the recovery of the orchid. After one month, the orchid can be given a diluted orchid-specific fertilizer to promote the growth and flowering of the orchid.
After the orchid is repotted and transplanted, the following matters should be noted:
After the orchid is repotted and transplanted, it should be placed in a semi-shaded place away from direct sunlight to avoid burns to the orchid. At the same time, it is necessary to maintain air circulation around the orchid and avoid high temperature and humidity, so as not to infect the orchid with pests and diseases.
After the orchid is repotted and transplanted, the orchid should be watered and fertilized in a timely manner according to the growth status of the orchid and the change of season. Generally speaking, the watering principle of orchids is "dry before watering", that is, watering after the cultivation soil is completely dry, not too often or too much. The principle of fertilization of orchids is "small amount and many times", that is, apply diluted orchid special fertilizer to orchids every one to two weeks, not too concentrated or excessive.
After the orchid is repotted and transplanted, the growth of the orchid should be observed regularly, and the diseases and pests of the orchid should be found and dealt with in time. If the orchid has symptoms such as yellowing of leaves, rot of roots, and flower failure, it is necessary to find out the cause in time and take corresponding measures, such as adjusting the light, temperature, humidity, watering, fertilization and other conditions of the orchid, or using insecticides, fungicides and other drugs special for orchids.
The above is the content about changing pots and transplanting orchids, I hope it will help you.
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