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 
outgrow 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 
Osmunda 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 drain- 
age. 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 
growing. 
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 
potted 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 within 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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