Many beginner florists, having bought a beautiful orchid in a flower shop, rush to transplant it into a more beautiful pot immediately after purchase, but is it true? In fact, if you start the process of transplantation during flowering, you can cause serious damage to the plant, and sometimes irreparable. So what is the best time for transplanting orchids, and should it be done immediately after purchase?
When to transfer?
Timely transplantation for orchids is certainly very important, because the nutrients in the substrate in which the plant is planted have a limited supply. So, when is it necessary to transplant the orchid after purchase? As a rule, in flower shops orchids are sold in small transparent plastic pots with pallets. They look, to put it mildly, not very aesthetically, so the desire to quickly change the pot seems quite natural, but do not rush. The best time when you can transplant an orchid is the beginning of spring, it fits best, and it just coincides with the end of flowering of the plant and the beginning of vegetative growth. Now let's figure out how often it is necessary to transplant this plant, how to determine that there is a need for this?
After you have learned whether it is possible to transplant a flowering orchid, it remains to learn how to do it right. The main signal for transplanting an orchid is that it begins to gradually "leave" the limits of its pot. This point is very important not to miss, because this plant has the property of "sticking" to any surfaces. So, if you miss this moment, then some of the shoots, most likely, will have to be cut off. Pay attention to the neighborhood of the flower with other plants, because if an orchid "grows" from its pot, it can with its shoots cling to neighboring flowers. But even if your orchid still fits in your "house", the substrate must be renewed once every two to three years. Another indication for transplantation may be insects. The point is that in the event that treatment with insecticides did not bring an effect, the plant must also be transplanted. With the testimony to this procedure, everything is clear, now we turn to the process itself.
Transplant rules
As already mentioned above, the roots of orchids can stick to surfaces, so separating them from the walls will be quite difficult. In order to simplify the task a little, the plant needs to be thoroughly wet. For a careful separation of roots, a flat wooden stick (like the one used in batch ice cream) is ideal. Using it as a scalpel, gradually separate the roots from the walls of the pot, trying not to damage them. First, drainage is poured into the bottom of the pot, claydite, agroperlite or even styrofoam may act in its role. Then a little bit of substrate is filled on top and orchid is carefully placed. Gradually pour the mixture around the roots, tapping in a circle on the walls of the container.
If everything is done correctly, your beautiful orchid will blossom in the first year after the transplant. Pay some attention to your pet for her transplant, and she will thank you with a splendid blossom. And do not forget about the rules for caring for a pet, because an orchid, although considered a simple plant, requires constant attention, which consists in regular watering and feeding.