Having received as a gift or bought his first orchid, the first thing a novice florist sees roots coming out of the container - it seems that an orchid, especially when it comes to the Phalaenopsis species, urgently needs a new pot. But is it possible to transplant a blooming orchid? In fact, this is not recommended unless it is an emergency, and roots sticking out of the pot are not a reason to transplant.
The fact is that most orchids have aerial roots that absorb moisture from the air. Indeed, in nature, many orchids grow on tree trunks, clinging to the ledges on the bark or branches with their roots. So you can grow orchids without soil at all - in baskets or on blocks - large pieces of trees. The roots of some orchid species need to dry out fairly quickly and also have access to air, so you need to take this into account when transplanting.
A blooming orchid spends all its energy on maintaining its condition, many compare this to pregnancy. So the stress associated with transplantation is practicallycontraindicated. If there is no serious reason, for example, rotting or drying of the root system, the question of whether it is necessary and whether it is possible to replant a blooming orchid is better not to even consider.
Most flower growers are inclined to believe that Phalaenopsis orchids, as well as many other species, need to be transplanted about once every 2-3 years, or even less often, when the substrate completely becomes unusable and collapses. The Vanda orchid, which has become extremely popular in recent years, the price of which ranges from several thousand, does without a substrate at all. Most often it is contained in glass vases or hanging baskets. It is not very suitable for beginner orchie growers, because it requires quite difficult conditions to maintain: high humidity, watering every day or even several times a day, spraying. So it is better for experienced flower growers to take on such a difficult-to-care plant.
The Phalaenopsis orchid species is the most popular right now, because care for them is quite simple: watering about once a week, not too frequent top dressing, general unpretentiousness. Beginners still care about a lot of questions, for example, can this plant be transplanted in winter? A blooming orchid or one that already has buds, and phalaenopsis often bloom in winter, should not be touched. A plant in a faded state also rarely needs a winter "move". Usually transplantation is carried out in the spring or at the very end of winter. This is done as follows: you need to carefully remove the plant from the pot, carefully unravel the roots, withif necessary, cut dry and rotten, sprinkle cuts with cinnamon powder or charcoal.
Next, you need to take a pot - a new one, if the old plant is already not enough. It should be transparent as Phalaenopsis roots are involved in photosynthesis. Also, the pot should be well ventilated, for which you need to make small holes in it. You need to take a suitable substrate, and it is best to compose it yourself. Under no circumstances should a plant be planted in the ground! Phalaenopsis are grown in a mixture of peat, bark and sphagnum moss, however, pure bark can also be used. It is not necessary to deepen the plant, part of the roots can also stick out of the pot. It is necessary to cover the root system of the plant with pieces of the bark of the middle fraction carefully so as not to damage anything. It is better not to water the plant for a couple of days so that the processes of decay do not begin.
With proper care, the orchid will please its owner for a very long time with abundant and long flowering. Having become more experienced, the grower will be able to easily answer the questions of beginners about whether it is possible to transplant a blooming orchid.
