Orchids in cultivation require regular repotting. An adult plant should be repotted on average every other year, or perhaps once a year, depending upon porri the type.
Repotting should not interrupt the growing cycle of the plant and is therefore pRom best undertaken in the spring, at which time the new growth is showing, but prior to the commencement of the new roots. When these follow they will grow immediately into the fresh compost taking maximum nourishment from it. Some orchids, particularly the cattleyas and their hybrids, have two growing cycles and will often commence new growth in the autumn, in which case this is also a good time to repot them.
An 'orchid tree' with several plants tied to a tree branch can become a most interesting feature in the greenhouse. It is also advantageous to those orchids requiring plenty oflight to grow them in this manner where they can be hung close to the glass.
When this reaches the pot rim leaving no room for further growth a larger pot will be necessary. Repotting is also necessary to replace old exhausted compost with fresh, as within two years there is little food value left and more nutrients are required in order for the plant to progress. The vast majority of orchids in cultivation are epiphytes, or hybrids bred from epiphytic species. It is therefore essential for them to be in a compost which is extremely open and free-draining.
A further method of propagation is by mass tissue culture known as meristem culture. This is a laboratory technique requiring professional skill and involves the taking of the growing meristem tip from within the new growth, and culturing the nucleus of cells in a similar way to germinating orchid seed artificially. The results are any number of identical plants, all multiplications of the one clone. Only the very finest orchids are treated in this way, making them generally available at reasonable prices.There should now be no old compost left around the roots, which can be trimmed accordingly.
A plant which has been reduced in size by the removal of backbulbs will often return to the same sized pot. Sufficient crocking material should be used to cover the bottom. Polystyrene pieces of packing material are ideal for this purpose.
Repotting should not interrupt the growing cycle of the plant and is therefore pRom best undertaken in the spring, at which time the new growth is showing, but prior to the commencement of the new roots. When these follow they will grow immediately into the fresh compost taking maximum nourishment from it. Some orchids, particularly the cattleyas and their hybrids, have two growing cycles and will often commence new growth in the autumn, in which case this is also a good time to repot them.
An 'orchid tree' with several plants tied to a tree branch can become a most interesting feature in the greenhouse. It is also advantageous to those orchids requiring plenty oflight to grow them in this manner where they can be hung close to the glass.
When this reaches the pot rim leaving no room for further growth a larger pot will be necessary. Repotting is also necessary to replace old exhausted compost with fresh, as within two years there is little food value left and more nutrients are required in order for the plant to progress. The vast majority of orchids in cultivation are epiphytes, or hybrids bred from epiphytic species. It is therefore essential for them to be in a compost which is extremely open and free-draining.
A further method of propagation is by mass tissue culture known as meristem culture. This is a laboratory technique requiring professional skill and involves the taking of the growing meristem tip from within the new growth, and culturing the nucleus of cells in a similar way to germinating orchid seed artificially. The results are any number of identical plants, all multiplications of the one clone. Only the very finest orchids are treated in this way, making them generally available at reasonable prices.There should now be no old compost left around the roots, which can be trimmed accordingly.
A plant which has been reduced in size by the removal of backbulbs will often return to the same sized pot. Sufficient crocking material should be used to cover the bottom. Polystyrene pieces of packing material are ideal for this purpose.
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