How to Care for and Manage Orchids in Winter
A brief knowledge sharing with you on how to care for and manage orchids in winter and some small experiences in plant cultivation regarding the correct watering methods for orchids. Let's introduce it by the editor below.
Recently, many orchid enthusiasts have been asking about overwintering orchids, which is how to care for orchids in winter. There are many varieties of orchids, but their growth habits are roughly similar, and the methods for winter care are also basically the same. Orchids are herbaceous plants that are not cold-tolerant. If the ambient temperature, watering, and fertilization are not properly managed in winter, it can easily cause harm to the orchid seedlings. As long as four key aspects of care are done well in winter, the orchid plants can grow vigorously, and for spring orchids and Huilan, they can even bloom early in the spring.
Winter Orchid Temperature Care
Orchids are herbaceous plants with poor cold tolerance. It is important to keep them warm and prevent cold in winter, especially in the northern regions. When the temperature drops below 5°C after entering winter, they should be moved indoors for care. In the southern regions, with temperatures between 5-10°C in winter, such climate allows them to experience a period of low-temperature care outdoors, which enhances the plant's cold resistance and is also conducive to blooming the following year.
When caring for orchids in the northern regions, do not imitate the care experience of southern orchid enthusiasts. The temperature in the north is below zero, and if orchids are left outside for too long, they will definitely be frozen. Therefore, different climatic conditions require different care methods and cannot be copied entirely from others' experiences.
Watering Interval
How often to water orchids in winter should also be determined by the growth environment. The low winter temperatures cause the orchid plants to grow very slowly, and water evaporation is also reduced, so the soil will not dry out for many days after watering.
If the care environment temperature is relatively low, it is necessary to reduce watering and not water frequently as long as the potting soil is not dry. If kept indoors with heating facilities, and the temperature is generally above 20°C, orchids are definitely in a normal growth state, and the water requirement will be slightly higher. Also, indoor heating causes faster water evaporation, so watering can be slightly increased.
How to Care for and Manage Orchids in Winter
When watering orchids in winter, try to choose a relatively warm noon time. Do not water directly from the leaf clusters, as this easily causes water to accumulate in the leaf hearts, which can lead to leaf rot or bud drop if it reaches the flower buds. Watering should be done gently along the edge of the pot until the planting material is thoroughly wet.
How to Fertilize in Winter?
Many orchid enthusiasts wonder whether it is still possible to fertilize orchids in winter. Fertilizing is fine, especially for orchids like spring orchids and Huilan, which are in the bud formation stage and require a lot of nutrients. Even for orchids that do not bloom in the spring, supplementing them with some nutrients can enhance their cold resistance and make them grow stronger in the spring.
Fertilizing orchids in winter should be done in an environment above 10°C and mainly with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, such as monopotassium phosphate, which can be diluted with water to a 1:1000 nutrient solution. Watering 1-2 times a month can supplement nutrients for the plant and enhance its resistance, making it grow more vigorously in the spring of the following year.