Do orchids like to be root bound?

Orchids enjoy being pot-bound.

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Do orchids like their roots tight?

Orchids like to be snug in their pot and the ratio of roots to potting mix should be about equal. If an orchid is put into a pot that is too big for it, then there are not enough roots to take up the moisture that is being held by the potting mix and the mix stays wet too long.

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How do you know when it's time to repot your orchid?

While orchids prefer a small pot—weaving their roots through the compost as they grow—they eventually run out of room. That's when their roots push the plant up above the rim of the pot or reach out into the air, looking for breathing space—a sure sign that it's time to re-pot.

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Do orchids like to be crowded?

Like Goldilocks, orchids like things “just right.” While orchids love being a little crowded in their pots, every year or two it's time to re-pot. Just as an orchid won't perform at its best if its pot is overcrowded, a too-large pot will also inhibit flowering.

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How do I know if my orchid is root bound?

Your orchid's roots are soft and brown.

If you truly waited too long to repot, you'll notice that your orchid is holding too much water. The roots will appear brown and feel soft to the touch. Fresh orchid potting mix will provide your plant with the environment it needs to stay happy and healthy.

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How I repot EXTREME pot bound Orchids! ? (Worst Orchids to repot!!)

33 related questions found

What does an orchid look like when it needs to be repotted?

Your Orchid Has Outgrown Its Pot

Once you notice your orchid's roots seem too crowded in its current container, it's time to repot your orchid. If you see roots beginning to grow up from the plant stem or start to crawl over the side of the pot, it's a telltale sign your pot has become too small.

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How often should I water my orchid?

While each growing environment is unique, and watering habits vary from person to person, it is generally a good idea to water about once per 7-10 days, when the mix gets dry. Too much watering leads to root rot, crown rot and other over watering problems like fungus gnat infestations.

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Do orchids need deep or wide pots?

Most orchids do prefer shallower squat pots, as their roots don't like all the moisture retained in deep pots and they just don't need the depth anyway as their roots spread out, not down.

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What should you not do with an orchid?

5 things you shouldn't do with an orchid
  1. Overwater them. The roots of an orchid are part of the lungs: the plant breathes through these so-called aerial roots. ...
  2. Pour water on the crown. ...
  3. Plant them in regular soil. ...
  4. Place them in direct sunlight. ...
  5. Spray water on the flowers.

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Do orchids need to be on windowsill?

Most orchids need bright but indirect light – an east or west-facing windowsill is often perfect. Too much light can scorch the leaves, so don't stand in direct sunshine. Most indoor orchids come from humid, tropical regions, so need a humid atmosphere.

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Can I cut the aerial roots off my orchid?

You should definitely not remove healthy air roots. There's a good chance you can harm your plant. You could even introduce a dangerous virus. In homes with low humidity, air roots can turn yellow and shrivel.

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Can orchids be repotted in regular potting soil?

Unfortunately, you can't use traditional soil to pot your orchid because it's too dense to support your orchid's delicate and unique root system. Since orchids are epiphytic plants, their roots require plenty of air to survive. Essentially, regular soil will suffocate your plant.

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Do you cover orchid roots with soil?

Hold the orchid in the center and carefully place the new potting medium around the roots. Keep the air roots out of the new soil. It's okay if one or two of them end up covered, though.

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Do orchids outgrow their pots?

Orchids benefit from repotting every 1 to 3 years or so. The potting mix will break down in time, preventing it from physically supporting the plant as well as providing nutrients. Also, healthy, actively growing orchids will produce fleshy new roots and outgrow their pot in time.

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Do orchids bloom when stressed?

You don't' need to do this for your typical orchid plants, but for some hard to bloom or finicky plants, some stress will allow the plant to start the bloom process. Blooms are initiated in times of stress where the plant feels it's life is in danger and needs to reproduce to survive.

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Why can't you touch orchids?

Throughout the day, your hands come in contact with numerous unsanitary materials that could affect the health of your orchid. Unopened buds are the most sensitive parts of an orchid, and unsanitary handling can be one of the main causes of orchid viruses.

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What makes orchids happy?

Make sure the plant is adequately fed and watered (not too much, not too little) and receiving enough sunlight. Orchids like indoor temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

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How do I keep my orchid happy?

bright indirect lighting (keep them near an east- or south-facing window or shaded patio) consistent watering (water them once a week during hot months and maybe every other week when it's cooler) good drainage (water roots growing outside your pot well but avoid getting water in the base of the plant) annual repotting.

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Do orchids like clay or plastic pots?

With proper drainage, Phalaenopsis orchids will thrive in nearly any container; but plastic and clay pots are most common. Here's how the two stack up: Plastic pots are cheap, light, and available in multiple sizes and colors. Many people prefer plastic over clay pots because they offer better water retention.

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Do orchids like to stand in water?

After the plants are watered, they should be placed so that the pots do not stand in water. Some people like to place the pots on "humidity trays" or in trays or saucers of gravel or pebbles and water.

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Do orchids like pots with holes?

An orchid should ideally live and grow in a plastic or terra-cotta grow pot. "Pots for growing orchids must have drainage holes or slits in the container to ensure your plant doesn't get soggy, wet feet," says Turner.

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Do orchids need direct sunlight?

It is well known that orchids are shade loving plants and you shouldn't let them be exposed to too much sunlight. The harm to an orchid is huge when exposed directly under the fierce sunshine in hot summer.

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How do I get my orchid to flower again?

Cut back the stem to the nearest bud

Instead, once all the flowers have fallen, cut off the stem to just above a visible joint (node). This should stimulate the production of another flower stem over the next few months.

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How long do orchids live?

In the wild, orchids are able to live about 20 years, depending on the type of orchid and the environment. Potted orchids do not have quite the same life span, but with proper care, it is not usual for orchids to live for between 10 to 15 years. There are some reports of orchids living for significantly longer.

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