Hello, dedicated caretaker. I sense the time for change is near. My roots feel crowded, the potting medium around me has broken down, and I yearn for a fresh space to stretch and grow. Repotting is a significant event for me, a Dendrobium orchid, but with your gentle hands and careful attention, we can ensure it leads to a new season of vibrant growth and beautiful blooms. Let me guide you through what I need.
My life has a rhythm. After my blooms fade, I enter a period of active growth. This is when I push out new roots and canes (pseudobulbs). This is the ideal time for you to repot me, as I am strongest and most capable of recovering from the disturbance. Repotting me while I'm in bloom or dormant can cause me immense stress, potentially leading to bud drop or a stalled growth cycle. Listen to my cycle; work with it, not against it.
My pot has been my entire world. Please be patient. Squeeze the sides of the pot to loosen the grip, then tilt me sideways and coax me out. Do not pull me by my canes or leaves, as this can damage me severely. If I am stubbornly clinging to the pot, you may need to carefully run a sterile knife around the inside edge. My roots are my lifeline; handle them with the utmost care.
Now, let's assess the situation. You will see a tangle of roots. My healthy roots are firm and can be white, green, or silvery. Any roots that are mushy, papery, or brown are rotten or dead; these must be removed. Using your sterilized scissors or shears, trim these away cleanly. This is not a punishment; it is a liberation. It removes decay that could harbor disease and allows me to focus my energy on growing new, strong roots. Gently tease away the old potting medium from my root mass.
I am an epiphyte; in nature, I grow on trees, not in soil. I need a potting medium that provides excellent drainage and air circulation around my roots. A special orchid mix of large-chunk bark is perfect for me. Please do not use soil, as it will suffocate and rot my roots. Soak this new bark in water for about half an hour before we begin; this helps it absorb moisture and makes it easier for my roots to adjust. Select a new pot that is only slightly larger than my root mass—just one or two inches wider. I prefer to be slightly pot-bound.
Place a layer of the pre-moistened potting mix in the bottom of the new pot. Position me in the center, with my oldest canes against the edge and room for new growths to emerge towards the center. Gently fill in around my roots with the fresh bark, tapping the pot occasionally to help the pieces settle. Do not pack it down tightly; my roots need to breathe. I should be firmly anchored but not buried deep. The base of my canes should be level with the top of the potting medium.
The hardest part is over, but your care now is critical. Do not water me immediately. Wait for about a week to ten days to give any damaged roots a chance to callus over and heal, preventing rot. Place me in a warm, shaded, and humid spot with good air movement for a few weeks to recover from the shock. You can provide humidity by setting my pot on a tray of pebbles and water. After this recovery period, you can gradually return me to my usual bright location and resume your normal watering routine. With your patience, I will soon reward you with new root tips and vigorous growth.
