Preparing the Orchid for Repotting
I have learned through trial and error (and setting back a lot of orchids) that it is very important to time the repotting process in accordance to the plant's growing cycle. The best time to repot an orchid is when that plant is growing in brand new roots from either its base in the case of monopodial orchids or at the base of a developing new growth in the case of sympodial orchids. This will ensure the orchid has a root system that will adapt to its new medium with minimal stress as the old root system eventually fails and decomposes.
When I failed to time it correctly, my orchids suffered almost every single time. The ones who were repotted at the right time had minimal to maybe even no stress at all. The difference is notable, which is why I have my Golden Rules. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to buy an orchid when they are at the right stage of growth. Oftentimes orchids are bought online from other orchid enthusiasts or nurseries that cannot accommodate that request and you, as the buyer, cannot be there to pick the orchid yourself. As a rule, I repot all my orchids almost immediately since the health of the orchid cannot be determined just by looking at it. The roots and quality of the medium must be checked and the plant checked for signs of pests.
To minimize the stress of an orchid's transitioning into its new environment, there are steps that can be taken to help an orchid jumpstart its root growth and get to the growing part of their cycle. I've done some research through various hobbyists but found these two Youtube videos to be the best: Rick L. Orchids, and Taming the Orchid. Both of these treatment methods boil down to the same thing: getting an orchid to produce new roots. Whether it is done to get the orchid ready to repot or to help stabilize the stressed/rootless orchid, this method will induce root production.
Teabag Treament
Materials:
- Teabag
- Lemon
- 1/2 gallon r/o water
- Rooting Solution (optional)
- Individual containers for the orchids
- 1-gallon plastic bags
- sphagnum moss
Procedure:
- Put the teabag in a pitcher/bowl of water and steep until weakly mixed with water.
- Add 5 drops of lemon juice to solution. Add a small amount of rooting solution if desired. Mix well.
- Pour into each container with orchid, filling over leaves if the orchid is rootless.
- Let them soak for a few hours (up to overnight).
- Pour off solution and let the orchids dry during the day, which will help induce a growth cycle because of the wet/dry period.
- Once the orchids and the roots are dry, place the pots into a the gallon ziplock bag with a smaller bag of wet sphagnum moss to create a humidity zone.
- Seal the bag up, leaving a couple inch open off the side and blow gently to inflate the bag. Seal the rest of the bag up and set in a warm, lower light environment.
- Repeat the process weekly until the plant starts growing in new roots and pot when desired.