Hello my orchid is sick. I’ve had it for almost a year and it’s been fine until recently. I think she may have been slightly overwatered. I took a look at the roots and some seem a little “squishy” but many seem very healthy still. I’m afraid to repot, because last time I repotted an orchid, it died rather quickly after that. Thought and/or advice is welcome 💚
Can you post a picture? What makes you think it is not doing well?
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The big yellow leaf.
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I k or it’s intimidating but a repot will help your orchid thrive. Typically, when you bring home a plant, they are in sphagnum that is tightly packed. That’s not a great setup for the home grower. Or those in bark, the media is beginning to break down. Since you had it for a year and are having some root and leaf issues, the media is probably past due for a refresh. Generally, you’ll need to repot every 2-3 years or when the media is broken down. When you get ready to repot, I would first give it a good soak as things are easier when hydrated. Take the orchid out of the pot and gently remove the media from the roots. Try get it all, but it’s fine if you have to leave some so you don’t damage the roots. And don’t worry if you damage some roots. It isn’t great but it happens. Just try to minimize as much as possible. Examine the roots for health and pests. Trim off any dead or dying roots. Dead roots are papery or mushy, black or brown. Healthy roots are firm and green when wet, silvery when dry. Deeper into the media you may encounter pale yellow roots. It just means they haven’t been exposed to light. They are fine as long as they are firm. I would leave any wrinkled roots as long as they are firm. If the plant will not fit in your current pot, upsize so that the roots just fit in the pot. They like a tight fit. If you have to upsize, orchid pots with additional ventilation are very helpful. They are typically clear so you can monitor root development, like the one it’s currently in. If you don’t have one, you can add holes to a growers pot or any other plastic pot you have on hand. To minimize transplant shock, use a similar mix to what it currently is in. If your plant is in sphagnum, I would repot using a mix of 50% sphagnum 50% bark. That will allow moisture to hang around long enough for the roots to take in what they want without cutting off air circulation. If you are a heavy waterer you can reduce the amount of sphagnum in your mix. My preference is straight bark. The key is a loose airy mix that will allow the roots to dry between waterings. Regardless of what mix you use, gently work it around the roots. I use an old chopstick for the job. The goal is to firmly seat the plant in the pot without packing the media. You want an airy mix that allows the roots to grab the water they want and then dry out. Orchids like their water but they LOVE for their roots to dry out. The first time I repotted an orchid I was in pins and needles. It got easier over time. You’ll do fine. And if you make a mistake, don’t beat yourself up. Learn from it and move on. That’s what this hobby is all about - learning 😁 Good luck!
5 likes Thank you SO SO much for this kind and detailed response. This makes me feel more confident doing a repot. It has one big yellow leaf, and I am seeing mixed advice whether or not to cut off the bad leaf. What are your thoughts on that? Thank you in advance!
1 like Ahh thanks. Im so happy to hear you are feeling more confident. Personally, I leaf it alone. Unless it’s diseased, I fell like it doesn’t hurt the plant for it to go though the natural process of shedding. But honestly, I don’t think it really matters in most cases. Countless plants have survived both options. I think the decision has more impact on us than it does to the plant. And your welcome for the early Saturday morning pun.
1 like Always down for an early morning pun. Thank you!
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