How do you know when to change the pot of a orchid plant?

Question

the plant as grown so fast and the roots seem to be all over

Answer 1

change the pot when little roots come out of the little whole in the bottom. If there is no whole, change it when you think the roots are too long. Better too much soil than too little...

enjoy

Answer 2

The simple answer is you don't really know when to change but it's better to do it sooner rather than later when the potting mix breaks down and can cause damage to the roots. first I would need to know if it's a bark mix or moss. A photo of the plant and pot would help. Feel free to send it to me and I'll give you my thoughts. It's not such a bad thing if some roots grow over the pots edge. Just mist them once in a while so they don't dry up totally

Answer 3

Roots growing out of the pot can be normal and it will depend upon the type of orchid it is. One thing you can do is to smell the potting mix. If it smells foul or funny, you may need to repot the plant. The mix should not be moldy smelling and it should not be all crumbly or squishy. These are signs that it may be broken down. You can also take the plant right out of the pot. Look at the roots. Are they firm and lighter colored, or are they squishy or papery with no firm substance to them. If there are a lot of dead (squishy or papery) roots, then the plant will need repotting and removal of the dead roots. Leave firm roots with substance to them. Remove squishy, spongy or papery roots that are separated from the little string-like thing in the middle of the root. Read the directions for repotting on the potting medium you purchase or even call an orchid grower (look online for these). Do not put your plant in an overly large pot, but make sure the roots can touch the sides of the pot. Do not plant in soil, but only orchid potting mix, which is a mix of bark and other materials. Soil will kill the plant.