When should I repot my orchid?

One of the best times to repot virtually any orchid is soon after it has finished blooming and dropped its last flower. Your plant has spent most of its energy creating those flowers and now it will refocus its energy on growing new roots and new foliage to support next year’s blooms. Your plant will grow better in a slightly bigger pot (1 or 2 inches bigger) and some fresh orchid potting mix. Thoroughly wet the current plant media so the roots soak up new water and become soft and pliable before you take it out of the pot. Remove the plant from the pot and carefully pick out the old bark mix and rinse the roots in fresh water. Trim any dead roots with your sterile micro-pruners. Put some rocks (not limestone) in the bottom of your new pot, add a couple of handfuls of new potting mix, and carefully set your plant into the new pot. Then fill the pot with new mix, but let it fall down between the roots, don’t compact or pack the roots (they like to breath). The crown of your orchid should be at the top of the new orchid mix, just 1/2″ below the rim of the pot. It’s best to pre-soak your new mix so the bark absorbs water better. Thoroughly water the orchid in its pot for several minutes to rinse the new mix down into position and allow it to soak up as much moisture as possible. If your orchid is a Phaleanopsis, trim the flower spike back to 1 inch above the first node of the stem and that’s where next year’s flowers will emerge. Start fertilizing your orchid after 3-4 weeks, give it the light it needs, and you’ll enjoy a healthy plant for years to come. We recommend repotting most orchids every 2 years.

Is glass or polycarbonate better for my new greenhouse?

There are many variables to consider when selecting the “best” glazing material for your greenhouse. Clearly, double-pane (or triple-pane) glass is the best quality, especially when it includes argon-filled gas and Low-E coatings. Single-pane glass is significantly less expensive and looks just as nice as double-pane, but is less energy efficient and will cost more to heat in the winter. Triple-wall, high-clarity polycarbonate is a good option for greenhouses that do not require the appearance of clear glass. This polycarbonate glazing is nearly as energy efficient as double-pane glass and it diffuses the light better than glass. It is the “best” option for cost-effective, functional greenhouse growing.