Firm and dark is not the same as dead. Most of the roots cut off a moth orchid were still working. A moth orchid finishes flowering and the owner looks at the pot for the first time in months. What happens next is usually too much: roots trimmed because they look dark, a bigger pot because the plant seems to deserve one, and feeding to encourage a rebloom. All three can set the plant back. The American Orchid Society distinguishes mushy or hollow roots from roots that are discoloured but still firm — a dark area alone is not enough to decide a root should come off. 37 pages on roots, repotting, light, watering and what actually triggers a spike, with 15 references from the AOS, the RHS and three university extensions, every one cited inline. The correction this guide is built on After flowering, repot into a bigger pot to give the roots room and encourage a stronger plant. Pot size follows the usable root mass, not the height of the flower stalk or the size of the plant you hope for. Once dead tissue has been removed, the same-size pot often fits best, and a smaller root system may not justify the volume the plant was previously in. Over-potting leaves bark that stays wet with no roots occupying it, which is the condition root rot needs. There are good reasons to repot — decomposed mix and a root mass that no longer fits are the two the AOS gives, with new root growth a useful moment for a planned move — but ambition is not one of them, and repotting during bloom can shorten the display. What it answers Which orchid roots should I cut off? When does a moth orchid actually need repotting? How often should I water a moth orchid? Why will my orchid not rebloom? My buds dropped before opening. What happened? What you get 37-page PDF, US Letter, with selectable text Reflowable EPUB for e-readers and phones — both formats, one price 5 illustrations 15 sources cited inline, every one linked Instant download. Nothing ships. Before you buy This is an English-language digital guide. No physical materials, kit or printed book is included; anything the projects need is bought separately. The 5 interior illustrations and the cover are illustrative images. They show intent and arrangement rather than photographed results from a tested project. Published by TopDigitalKnowledge. Written by Abdelmounim El Moussaddar.