Newcomer's Guide to Caring for Orchids
Orchids are被誉为 the gentlemen of flowers, but beginners often cause the plants to wither due to improper care. Statistics show that more than 60% of orchid deaths are caused by basic care mistakes. This article will systematically analyze the four core elements of orchid care to help you cultivate elegant and robust orchids.
Four Core Elements of Orchid Care
Golden Rule of Scientific Water Control
Orchid roots are extremely sensitive to moisture: 1. Use the bamboo stake test method in spring and autumn: insert the bamboo stake into the substrate and observe after 2 hours, with a slightly moist state being ideal. 2. Mist in the early morning and evening in summer, combined with thorough watering once a week. 3. Follow the "three temperature principles" in winter: water temperature = room temperature = substrate temperature. 4. Manage different varieties differently: spring orchids require a slightly moist substrate, while black orchids can be slightly drier.
Advanced Techniques for Precise Fertilization
Nutrition management needs to master three key periods: • Growing period (March-June): N-P-K = 20-20-20 diluted 2000 times liquid, applied every 10 days. • Bud formation period (September-October): Increase phosphorus and potassium fertilizer (10-30-20), concentration reduced to 3000 times. • Dormancy period (December-February): Stop using solid fertilizer, spray 1‰ potassium dihydrogen phosphate on the leaves monthly. ※ After fertilizing, rinse the leaf axils with clean water within 24 hours to prevent fertilizer buildup.
Professional Pruning Operation Standards
Pruning is key to rejuvenating orchids: 1. Tool pre-treatment: Disinfect pruning shears with alcohol (burn with flame for 3 seconds then cool). 2. Three-step method for handling diseased leaves: - Isolate the diseased plant. - Cut at a 45-degree angle along the base of the leaf sheath. - Apply charcoal powder to the cut. 3. Timing of pruning after flowering: Perform 7 days after the flowers fade, leaving a 3cm stem to promote new buds.
Intelligent Light Control Solutions
Light management should follow seasonal changes: • Spring: Receive full sunlight, accumulate 6-8 hours/day. • Summer: Shield 70% of light from 10:00 to 16:00 using shade netting labeled SZW-65. • Autumn: Gradually increase direct light to promote bud differentiation. • Winter: Full sunlight on a south-facing windowsill, combined with supplementary lights (wavelength 450-650nm). ※ Adjust the shading immediately when yellow and white spots appear on the leaves.
After mastering these four care tips, you can try division propagation: Select healthy mother plants that are over 3 years old, divide them around Qingming, and keep 3-5 fleshy roots per clump. Regularly check the substrate pH (5.5-6.5 is ideal), and use a mixture of pine bark and volcanic rock (3:1) to keep the orchids vigorous and healthy.