Proper repotting of orchids requires a little practice and a lot of tact. The professional treatment of the aerial roots always raises questions among beginners. This guide highlights the process with a special focus on the aerial roots.

Green aerial roots should never be cut off

Stubborn aerial roots take a water bath - tips for preparation

As a visible signal for a culture pot that is too narrow, the aerial roots protrude over the edge of the container. A dense network of root strands has also formed inside the pot, which is difficult to untangle. So that the repotting does not damage the roots, immerse the culture pot in soft, room-warm water.

Please make sure that there is no water in the heart of the plant and in the leaf axils. If no more air bubbles rise, the aerial roots are nice and supple and easy to handle. Add a dash of orchid fertilizer to the immersion water so that the plant can regenerate better afterwards.

Step-by-step instructions for transplanting with aerial roots

Thanks to the water bath, the aerial roots are flexible enough to be detached from the pot. If you still feel resistance, knead the plastic pot from all sides. In this way, even the last resisters can be detached from the edge of the container. Proceed as follows with a potted orchid:

  • Shake off or rinse off the used substrate
  • Carefully remove the last sticking pieces of bark with your fingers
  • Using a sharp, sanitized knife, cut off any dried up or mushy aerial roots
  • Also trim dead bulbs and dead leaves

Before the orchid takes its place in the new pot, put a thin layer of expanded clay (19.73€) on the bottom as drainage and some special substrate. Now take the root ball in your hand and screw all the aerial roots into the pot. The cheeky specimens that previously grew over the edge also belong in it. Then fill in the remaining orchid soil so that all root strands are covered.

tips

Cuts on healthy aerial roots heal in no time with cinnamon. Dust the cuts thinly with the spice. Since it has an antibacterial effect, cunning pests and pathogens don't stand a chance. If there is no cinnamon in the kitchen, charcoal ash will do the job just as well.

Category:

Indoor plants