
Sphagnum moss only lasts around 1-2 years at most. To not use a lot of potting media, the nurseries and garden centers replant the orchid but don’t replace the old sphagnum moss. This is a smaller, compact ball of sphagnum moss that the orchid was first planted in. Some older orchids might have what is called a plug in the center of the root system. There is absolutely no way of knowing what kind of roots you have if you don’t remove the plastic pot and go digging inside the root system.

It might be healthy, with thick, luscious, green roots, or it might be already brown and mushy, with decomposing roots. When you first purchase your orchid, you have no idea what the root system looks like. Removing the Plastic Container Exposes Potential Orchid Root Problems There are other reasons you should remove the plastic from your orchid, so let’s dive in to understand why, one by one.
