Prepare for transplanting

This is the season I devote to dividing and transplanting my orchids. Most of the work is preparation and accumulation of the materials used in the process. I will use this as an opportunity to share a checklist with beginning orchid growers.

1. Containers, Make sure you have containers to allow for roughly 2 years growth. A good rule of thumb to step up to the next size is to add roughly 1 inch around the existing roots. If the roots are good, the next size for a 2.5 inch pot may be a 4" pot, a 4" pot would step up to a 6" pot. If the roots are bad, a larger pot may not be necessary, evaluate your mix and care to determine why the roots did grow.

1. Clay pots must either be cleaned if used previously. New or used pots need to be soaked for several hours to a few days. The easiest way is to totally immerse the clay pots in a bucket or tub of water. When this is done, you will notice bubbles rising from the pots. This allows the pores in the clay to become filled with water and avoid hot spots when water is drawn from a fertilizer solution after your orchid is planted.

2. Plastic will need to be cleaned if not new, and possibly have some holes added for ventilation

3. Mounts and wooden baskets should be soaked for the same reason as clay pots. These may need to be weighed down so that they will sink into the water and not have any dry areas when planted. Dish detergent may be added to the water to help remove natural oils in the wood.

1. Potting medium:

1. CHC (coconut husk chips) will need to be rinsed after a good soak. Most recommend repeating the process twice. This will remove salt that may still be in the CHC and help remove the tannin (brown stain). I usually soak it at least 6 hours, rinse and soak again overnight, followed by one more rinse.
2. Bark mixes need a good soak and rinse.
3. LECA (light expanded clay aggregate), Aliflor, PrimeAgra, and Lava stone need to be soaked and rinsed.
4. Sphagnum moss needs a thorough soaking. Avoid using chlorinated water.

1. Tools that make preparation and handling the medium easier:

1. Mesh bags to contain the mix during the soak and rinse cycles
2. Colanders
3. Plastic bags
4. Tubs and buckets

1. Chemicals:

1. Fertilizer for transplants (KLN from Dynagro or a week solution that contains B complex vitamins)
2. Insecticide (Spot treatment alcohol or mouthwash with alcohol can be applied with a cotton swab)
3. Fungicide or cinnamon (protects open wounds on your orchids)

1. Miscellaneous:

1. Plastic spoons or chopsticks (position and push in small amounts of medium around the roots)
2. Plant labels and #2 lead pencil (two labels per pot, one at the bottom and one inserted in the top)
3. Styraphone peanuts (do not use the ones molded like 8's)
4. Small measuring cups with handles (measuring and dipping mix)
5. Measuring spoons (measuring chemicals)
6. Blades for trimming roots, dividing plants, and removing damaged tissue from the orchids
7. Newspapers (layered under the plant while inspecting and trimming, then thrown away. New papers for the next plant.)
8. Towels and paper towels
9. Scissors and small pliers (to bend and cut wire)
10. Cotton swabs

1. Particulars for orchid types

1. Rhizome clips and plant stakes for cattleya or tall orchids
2. Fishing line for mounting orchids
3. Coated wires (florist or single strand of insulated telephone wire)