How do I transplant an orchid that is potted in bark?

Question

I'd like to transplant it into a larger pot, as it is a house plant, but haven't the slightest idea how to go about doing it. Suggestions?

Answer 1

First off, I wouldn't recommend repotting an orchid if it's doing okay. Maybe you're thinking it should be repotted because the root tendrils are sprouting out of the current pot. This is normal and actually beneficial to the plant (they are absorbing gases from the air and you can kill an orchid by burying these).

But, if you insist on repotting it, you have to use an orchid bark medium (you can get a bag of it at a nursery or home improvement store). Don't transplant it into a pot with potting soil. It will cause the orchid to develop root rot.

Just put some of the orchid bark into the new pot (make sure it has drain holes). Use enough that it covers the bottom of the new pot to the point where, when you pull the orchid out of the old pot (including the root ball and atached orchid bark) and set it onto the new bark, the plant sits down inside the pot at the same level that it was at in the old pot.

To remove the orchid from the old pot, turn the plant and pot sideways, and gently ease the plant out of the old pot, supporting the plant with one hand and the root ball with the other hand. Place the root ball into the new pot and turn the plant upright. Add more bark around the root ball until it's at the same level as it was when the orchid was in the old pot.

Soak the new potting material. To do this, use a bucket or something the plant can sit in and be swamped. Pour water into the bark until it just starts to float (the water level in the bucket or whatever gets high enough to float the bark). Let this sit for an hour or so. Then, pull the new pot out of the bucket, let it drip for about 30 seconds, and then set it on a saucer or bigger solid pot (no drainage holes).

BTW - you should always water your orchid this way, because it gets its water from the soaked bark chips.

Answer 2

Put the bark in the larger put and put more bark chips around it to fill in the gaps - do not move it over to soil.