If the leaves on your orchid are turning soft, the problem is root rot.Poor soil drainage or over watering are some of the causes of root rot.If you notice that the leaves are turning yellow, you may be able to save your orchid by transferring it to another container.If the roots have rotted extensively, you'll need to trim away the damaged areas and change the medium in order to nurture it back to health.
Step 1: If the container doesn't have proper drainage, you should repot it.
Excess water in a container will cause the orchid's roots to rot.Transfer your orchid to a planter that has them.Drop-potting is when you just drop the plant into a new pot.After the blooms fall, you should not repot an orchid.If you suspect root rot, you must repot the plant immediately.Sometimes orchids are potted in a thin plastic container with drainage holes, then placed inside a decorative pot without drainage.Remove the plastic container and leave the orchid there until you repot it.If your orchid is already in a pot with good drainage and it's still developing root rot, you may be over watering it.The medium may be too old if that's not the problem.Do a full re-potting with new soil.
Step 2: The clay pot should be the same size as the old container.
If you want a bigger pot for your orchid, try not to get one that's much bigger than the one the plant is already in.Orchids bloom best in a container.The more water the plant will retain, the greater the risk of root rot.A smaller container will allow you to retain as much of the existing soil as possible, which will help avoid shocking the plant.Pots made of clay are ideal for orchids.It can help prevent root rot by helping the soil dry out faster.If you want to reuse a container, soak it in a mixture of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water for 2 hours.This will kill any organisms that could harm your plant.The chlorine can be dissipated if the container is dry for 2 days.
Step 3: Remove the entire plant from the container.
The planter should be turned on its side to grasp the plant.Carefully remove the plant, roots, and dirt from the container.Don't pull too hard or force the orchid out of the planter, because the roots are already damaged.If the plant isn't able to come out of its container easily, try soaking the entire container in water for 5 minutes.You may need to break the pot if you can't remove the orchid.
Step 4: Carefully put the orchid in its new pot.
The roots should be gently lowered into the new planter.The orchid needs a lot of air around its roots to dry out.If the plant is loose in the new container, you can add more material around the sides of the pot.If the new pot is deeper than the old one, you should add packing peanuts or a specialized orchid medium to the bottom of the pot.
Step 5: Wait a few days before watering the plant.
Since the whole point of drop-potting is to let the roots dry out, don't add any more water to the plant right away.The plant should only be watered when the top of the soil feels dry.It is possible that transferring your orchid will cause the blooms to fall off.It doesn't mean anything is wrong if that happens, it's just the shock from being transferred.If root rot continues, you'll need to re-pot the plant.Orchids thrive best if their medium is changed every 2 years.You should re-pot your plant even if you drop it.
Step 6: Cut back any leaves that are rotting.
To clean the cutting edge, wipe down a razor blade or sharp shears with alcohol.Carefully trim away any leaves that don't seem to be connected to the stem.Make the cut as close to the stem as possible.You can prevent the damage from traveling up the rest of the plant by cutting off affected leaves.Try to save any leaves that aren't affected.You may not be able to save the plant if the leaves have rotted or fallen off.The plant won't be able to support the flower if the majority of the roots are rotted.
Step 7: The plant needs to be removed from the container.
If you want to pull the whole plant out of the planter, you have to turn it on its side.Since the plant will need as much healthy tissue as possible in order to recover, try not to damage the roots by pulling roughly.It might be difficult to remove the plant if the roots outgrew the planter.Try soaking the container in water for 5 minutes to see if that loosens it.You may have to break the planter to get the orchid out.
Step 8: Remove dead or damaged roots.
It's a good idea to sterilize your razor blade or shears after trimming the leaves.Carefully cut away any dead or rotted places from the roots after brushing away as much material as possible.Take off the whole thing if the root system is rotted.You can tell if a root is dead by its appearance.The roots will be white and firm.It may not survive if you have to cut the roots.If you leave the rotted tissue, it will have a better chance of recovering.If you see a black mold on the healthy roots, wipe it away with a cotton swab.
Step 9: If you made any cuts, put 3% hydrogen peroxide over it.
The healthy roots that are left after you trim the plant are at risk of being infecting by the bacteria or fungus that remains on the roots.To make sure you don't end up with that, pour hydrogen peroxide over the cuts you made on the leaves and roots.It is normal for the peroxide to bubble up.Some gardeners like to dip the cut roots in cinnamon.
Step 10: The orchid should be repotted in a new medium.
Once you've trimmed away the dead leaves and roots, put the medium in the bottom of the new container.If you want to fill the rest of the planter with soil, lower the root ball into the pot.A combination of bark, coconut husks, perlite, or sphagnum moss is a good potting medium for orchids.There will be plenty of air flow around the roots, which will help prevent root rot in the future.Orchids prefer to be somewhat small, so choose the smallest pot you can fit into.It's best to use a new pot because the old one could have diseases that could ruin the plant.The old planter needs to air out for about 2 days before it can be used again, so you can use a mixture of 1 part bleach and 9 parts water.
Step 11: Don't water the plant for more than a few days.
Remaining roots need to dry out as much as possible so they can recover from root rot.You should give the orchid a few days to get used to its new surroundings.It may take a while for your plant to recover.You should keep caring for it the way you normally would.
Step 12: Wait until the orchid is dry.
One of the main causes of root rot is over watering.Feel the surface of the medium every few days.Wait another day if it feels a little moist.It is time to water your orchid when it is completely dry.You can put the pencil tip into the pot.The tip of the pencil will look dark if the medium is moist.When it's time to water your orchid, you may be able to tell by how heavy it is when you pick it up.The container will be lighter if the soil is dry.
Step 13: Let the orchid drain after you water it in the morning.
Place the orchid in a sink, then pour room-temperature water onto the soil for about 15 seconds, or until it runs out of the container.Leave the plant in the sink for 15 minutes.The plant will have all day to dry out if you water it first thing in the morning.The plant will be more susceptible to root rot if you water it at night.
Step 14: The orchid's stem and leaves can be wet.
crown rot can be caused by water pooling at the base of an orchid's leaves.To prevent this, pour the water directly onto the medium.Crown rot is similar to root rot in that it affects the leaves and stem of the plant, rather than the roots.If water gets onto the leaves, wipe them dry with a paper towel.Some people mist their orchids.If you mist the air around the orchid, don't spray water on the plant.
Step 15: Don't let the orchid get wet.
When you water your orchid, let the water drain out completely.If the orchid is left in a saucer with water pooling, it will quickly start to rot and die.Water your plant in the sink or somewhere else that the water can drain from.
Step 16: It's a good idea to keep your orchid in a spot with good air flow.
The roots are less likely to stay saturated if they stay in a place with good circulation.Water won't be able to evaporate as quickly if the air around the plant is stagnant.If you need to keep the air circulating in your home, you can open a window or place a fan near your orchid.Crown rot can be prevented by good circulation.Similar to root rot, this affects the leaves and stem of the plant.
Step 17: The orchid should be put in a new mix every 2 years.
Orchids are vulnerable to rot when old potting mix becomes acidic.Over time, the mix will become too dense, preventing proper air flow around the roots.After the blooms fall, repot your orchid at least every other year.It's time to repot your orchid when it becomes crowded in the pot or when the potting medium starts to break down.After the blooms fall off, some people prefer to repot them.Pick a potting mix that is designed for orchids.The larger pieces allow plenty of air to circulate around the roots.Every time you repot your orchid, remove any dead or damaged roots.