When is the best time to repot Cattleya orchids?
The editor introduces you to the best time for repotting Cattleya orchids with some green plant maintenance tips. Here is a detailed introduction.
When is the best time to repot Cattleya orchids?
Repotting Cattleya orchids can make room for new roots to grow because if the plant grows in a small space for a long time, it will not grow well. Cattleya orchids can usually be repotted from November after the beginning of winter to fifteen days before Qingming (a Chinese festival) the following year. After repotting the orchid seedlings, water them thoroughly once. If using humus soil, there is no need to water it completely through, then slowly care for it and wait for the potting process to end.
Best repotting time for Cattleya orchids
Cattleya orchids can be repotted from November after the beginning of winter to fifteen days before Qingming the following year. Repotting during this period is easy to survive because Cattleya orchids cannot meet their growth needs when growing in a small space for a long time, so repotting is necessary to make room for new roots to grow.
Correct method for repotting Cattleya orchids
1. Transplanting: After removing the plant from the pot, take out the orchid seedlings, shake off the substrate for clustering, and if the pot is not full, you can remove the surface substrate and then tap the sides of the pot. When the pot is half suspended and tilted, shake it to remove the plant.
2. Washing and drying roots: Wash the roots of Cattleya orchids with tap water, remove the substrate, and place the orchid in the sun to dry for two to three hours.
3. Separating plants: Separate the orchid plants in units of two or three generations to promote healthy growth and increase the germination rate of the plants.
4. Cleaning and disinfecting: When propagating Cattleya orchids, cut off the dead leaves and rotten roots, apply a fungicide such as carbendazim to the wounds for disinfection, soak the orchid in disinfectant after processing, then rinse and dry it before planting.
Precautions for dividing Cattleya orchids
1. Watering: After repotting the orchid seedlings, water them thoroughly once. If using humus soil, there is no need to water it completely through, as humus soil retains a lot of moisture, while granular substrates need to ensure that all the substrate is moistened. Then place the orchid seedlings in a shaded and well-ventilated area for one week.
2. Soil: Use loose and fertile sandy loam soil for planting Cattleya orchids. The potting soil can be mixed with decomposed manure soil, leaf mold soil, and sand.
3. Acclimatization: Healthy Cattleya orchids need 20-180 days to fully acclimatize after repotting, and the time required for acclimatization varies with different varieties and growing conditions.
4. Fertilizing: After dividing Cattleya orchids, there will usually be wounds, and the absorption of nutrients by the orchids is relatively weak at this time. Moreover, orchids do not require a high amount of fertilizer, so fertilizing should be done only after the orchids have acclimatized.
This article shares a comprehensive explanation of the best time to repot Cattleya orchids, hoping to provide a reference to solve your green plant problems.