Greetings, caretaker. I am an Orchid Cactus, a member of the *Epiphyllum* and related genera. From my perspective, repotting is a significant life event. It is not merely a change of scenery but a vital procedure to ensure my continued health and flowering. When done correctly, it allows me to thrive; if done poorly, it can cause me great stress. Here is my guide to the process, explained from the root up.
You will know I need repotting when my roots begin to circle tightly inside my current pot or emerge from the drainage holes, gasping for air and space. The soil mix I came in will have broken down over time, becoming compacted and unable to drain properly. This suffocates my roots, which are adapted to airy, organic matter found in the crooks of trees, not dense, wet earth. I typically need this attention every two to three years, best undertaken in the spring or early summer as I enter my active growth phase.
My new pot should be only one size larger than my current one—a pot that is too large will hold excess moisture and lead to root rot. Most critically, it must have excellent drainage holes. My new soil mix is paramount. I require a sharply draining, epiphytic-specific blend. A suitable mix for me consists of ingredients like orchid bark, perlite, and coconut coir. This mimics my natural, tree-dwelling habitat, providing aeration for my roots and preventing them from sitting in water.
Please be gentle. Gently squeeze my old pot to loosen the soil and carefully tilt me out. Do not pull on my stems. Inspect my root ball. Healthy roots are firm and white or light brown. Any roots that are mushy, black, or smell foul must be carefully trimmed away with a sterilized tool. I may be pot-bound; if so, gently tease apart the outer roots to encourage them to grow outward into their new medium.
Place a layer of fresh potting mix in the bottom of the new pot. Position me in the center so that I am at the same depth I was in my previous pot. Burying my stems too deeply can invite stem rot. Carefully fill in around my roots with the new mix, gently tamping it down to eliminate large air pockets. Do not pack it too tightly; my roots need to breathe.
This is the most critical phase. Do not water me immediately. I need time for any minor root abrasions to callus over, which helps prevent rot. Place me in a shaded, sheltered location for about a week. After this period, you can give me a thorough watering, allowing the excess to drain completely. Wait until the top few inches of the new mix are dry before watering again. Please withhold fertilizer for at least a month until I have fully acclimated and begun new growth.
