How do I replant an Orchid?

It still has flowers on it and has had them since February when we bought it. The flowers are all on one stem and are small ( about 1" diameter). The roots to the plant are growing out the bottom. I have an orchid mix, but have heard I have to wait till the flowers are gone and that it is very hard to replant. Can anyone help?

How do I replant an Orchid?
If your plant has been blossoming since February, then I would not be too terribly worried about the condition of the potting medium right this minute. You must be doing something right, or at least not doing anything terribly wrong. Is your plant a Phalenopsis? Many orchids will send roots through the drainholes, but Phals are possibly more likely to do so. If you look at the tag (they usually have a plastic stick pushed into the edge of the pot), it should specify what variety your plant is. If it is a Phalenopsis, it might say that, or it might say Phal., with another name following. Another variety will be labeled with the appropriate name. No tag? Get a book and see if you can match the leaves and flower growth habit. Potting is only done if necessary. Just because roots are coming through the bottom, does not necessarily mean the plant needs to be repotted. Are there a lot of roots coming out over the top of the pot? What does the potting medium smell like? If the potting medium smells a little "old", moldy, or otherwise foul, then after the plant is finished blooming, you can tend to this. If the potting medium is fresh-smelling, you see firm roots, but they are not growing over the pot, too much, then it might not be too much of a rush (roots outiside the pot are usually "air roots". When the plant is done blooming, if you really want to see if it needs to be repotted, do the following: Carefully remove the plant from its pot. Try very hard, not to break the roots, especially the ones that have little green tips on the ends, as these are actively growing roots. You may need to take a kitchen knife and carefully get the roots to release from the sides of the pot if they have attached themselves. Once the plant is out of the pot, look at the roots. Are they firm, whitish or white with a little greenish tint; or are they greyish or brownish and squishy when they are wet? Phals often do have a greyish tint to the roots, but should be fairly firm, and should be fleshy and greenish inside the root. If they do not seem too firm, does the greyish or brownish covering seem to just slide off the root, exposing a little dry string in the middle, with no signs of green inside? If this is the case, and the roots are not firm and no green shows inside, then you will need to cut or pull the actual dead ones off. Don't pull roots off that have any green inside, but only the dry, papery ones as described above. These roots are dead and will rot inside the pot. Also check the potting medium. Does it seem fresh, or does it seem like it is deteriorating? Phals can be potted in various different potting mixtures, depending upon the grower. You will have to use your own best judgement. If you have it out of the pot and there seems like a lot of root loss, then you may as well replace the potting medium - but ONLY with orchid potting mix. Anything else you would normally use for regular plants will kill the roots. So, leave it alone until it finshes blooming, as long as it seems happy, and it sounds like that is most likely the case. Repot if the medium is old smelling or the roots look unhealthy. Then find a book that gives you details, as you don't want to overpot your plant, or it will not bloom again for awhile. Orchids only bloom once or twice a year, so you may want to enjoy the blossoms you have, as repotting can disturb the cycle. Also, don't let the plant sit in a saucer of water, if at all possible.
Reply:If you like orchids, you can join a local branch of the Amer. Orchid Society (a branch for each state, ie: Mich. Orchid Society, etc.) Contact growers, to talk through Q's. Books, articles, etc. Orchid societies even have orchid shows! Fun if you like the hobby. Report It
Reply:Orchids aren't too bad to re-pot. Just keep in mind that some orchids are epiphytes, and their roots just might go all over the place. It doesn't necessarily mean that it needs to be re-potted. If you decide that you want to do it anyway, this link will help.