WHEN AND HOW TO REPOT PLANTS | 
When an Orchid plant outgrows its present 
pot it should be replanted in a pot one inch 
larger in size. Orchid plants grow best when 
crowded into small pots. Since the Osmunda 
must be changed every two years, it is best that 
they be potted correctly, so by the time they out- 
- grow the pot you will automatically know it is 
also time to change the Osmunda. 
Plants should be repotted right after they 
bloom. The old Osmunda is torn away from the 
plant. But you leave a small clump about as 
big as a half dollar clinging to a few good roots. 
If roots are too long trim them back with a 
scissors. Then wrap a collar of dampened Os- 
munda around the old roots and pack tightly 
into the pot. Be sure you have about one third 
of the pot filled with stones to allow for drainage. 
Large stones are better than small ones. The 
back part of the plant should touch the rear of 
the inside pot, since an Orchid grows forward, 
and you must allow for two years of forward 
crowing. 
Some Orchid growers like to have their 
plants potted a little below the rim of the pot. 
I prefer to “crest”? mine a bit above the rim of 
the pot. If plants are overwatered they will dry 
out faster and it will prevent rot. Be careful not 
to bury the “eyes” which are on the bottom of 
the bulbs, for if you do, they will either rot out 
or will not grow. The “eyes” of an Orchid plant 
must have light to grow, and they cannot grow 
if buried in the Osmunda. 
Do not water the plant after it has been pot- 
ted for at least 60 days. My method is to spray 
the leaves of the plant daily, once or twice, on 
sunny days. This method prevents the plant from 
losing water stored up in its bulbs and forces a 
NEW root system to start. Strangely enough, 
when you dry off an Orchid plant, the new root 
system starts. After the roots start, usually with- 
in four weeks, you can begin to increase the 
daily sprayings lightly. Once you have a good 
root system you can resume weekly waterings 
besides a daily spray if you like. 
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