Slip Potting

Slip potting is an easy way to move orchids to a larger pot without disturbing the roots. Do not do this when they are blooming. This is more for orchids that have completely outgrown their pot and are done with their blooming for the season or they are orchids that are so overgrown that they need help.

Loosen the media, pull the orchid out gently from the bottom of their stems or pseudobulbs, add an inch or two of media in the new pot before the plant goes in, don’t disturb the roots or the old media attached to the orchid and fill in the empty spots around the roots with new media.

This will allow your overgrown orchid to have more room, go on to bloom in the next cycle, and you can change the media after one to two years unless it has some type of illness. When you are completely done with blooming for the next six months, you can trim the roots a bit and remove gently the old media. Do not cut more than 1/3 of the root system.

Slip potting has worked for me, even when they are in bloom but you have to be so careful that I would not advise it. You could lose all your blooms. I often have Cymbidiums that are growing out of the top of the pot because the roots are too crowded. So, I slip pot them and I do it quickly and gently. I try not to disturb them. They barely know it happened.

Just remember, when slip potting, you will be tempted to cut off dead roots, or pull off old media, don’t do it, unless it has bloomed and won’t bloom again for months.. Sometimes, it is necessary to use this method simply because the roots are growing out of the pot at the top and bottom. The pot barely holds media anymore because the roots have taken over. Just slip pot and leave them alone.

Enjoy your orchid adventures!