Orchid Tip of the Month by Scot Mitamura

June 20th is the start of summer, and it already looks like it will be a hot one!  As you know the days are getting longer, it's getting warmer, and we are having more days of strong trade winds.  This means our orchids will be drying out faster and will need a lot more watering.  It is also means that the orchids are sending out new growths, and will be needing more fertilizer.  This is the time of year that I really make an effort to foliar feed my orchids.  In doing this, I maximize their summer growths and stored energy, this will reward me with spectacular flowering later in the year.
 
It's also re-potting time! Many orchids are initiating new growths and sending out new roots.  Repotting now will allow the new roots to bury into the fresh media and develop a strong root system. Most organic orchid mediums will breakdown (decompose) after two years or so.  Definitely after two or three years, you will need to give your orchids new medium.  If you are using an inorganic media such as, blue rock, cinders, etc., you can go a little longer, but eventually the medium will crash, as well as your roots and you risk loosing your orchid.  So look at your orchids and check to see if the stems are shriveling and the old roots are dying, this is a sign that you need to repot. Some folks will note on the back of the label the date of each re-pot.  You always want to re-pot before your orchid start to decline, this way they can "get a head of steam" and put on a spectacular flowering. Needless to say, I'm spending much of my time repotting like a madman, because I know the rewards are coming!
~ Scot