How to Water Orchids in Winter
In the cold winter months, orchid care reaches a critical period. As the gentleman of flowers, the management of orchids in winter directly affects the quality of blooming and the health of the plant in the following year. This article will provide a detailed analysis of the complete winter orchid care plan, from watering management to environmental control.
1. Core Techniques for Watering Orchids in Winter
1.1 Golden Rule of Watering
The "three-temperature principle" for watering in winter is crucial: use warm water close to the ambient temperature (suggested 20-25℃), choose a warm period at noon (10:00-14:00), and adopt pre-warming of the potting soil. Before watering, you can place the water storage container next to the plant for 2 hours to balance the temperature, avoiding cold water stimulating the roots.
1.2 Precise Water Control Plan
Establish the "3+2 humidity detection method": insert the first three fingers 3cm deep into the growing medium to check the humidity, combined with the pot weight comparison method. When the surface of the growing medium turns white and the pot weight is reduced by 1/3, it is the best time to replenish water. It is recommended to use a breathable formula of bark + volcanic rock (3:1) as the growing medium, which can extend the watering cycle to 7-10 days.
2. Environmental Control for Orchid Overwintering
2.1 Temperature Management Strategy
Establish a day-night temperature gradient: maintain 12-18℃ during the day and control it at 5-10℃ at night. Especially for spring orchids and Huì orchids that require vernalization, maintaining a low temperature of 5℃ for more than 15 days can promote flower bud differentiation. Use the "three-zone insulation method": root zone (growing medium layer) > stem and leaf zone > air zone, which can be achieved by placing an insulating board at the bottom.
2.2 Smart Ventilation Plan
Implement a "three-stage cyclic ventilation" method: open the south window for 30 minutes at 10:00-11:00 every day to change the air, and open the east window for 20 minutes at 14:00-15:00. Install a mini circulating fan (more than 1 meter away from the plant) to keep the air flowing, with the wind speed controlled within 0.3m/s. After rain or snow, it is necessary to turn on the dehumidification equipment in a timely manner.
3. Advanced Care Tips
3.1 Nutritional Management Plan
For non-dormant varieties (such as Mo orchids), use a 2000-fold diluted potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution, applying it to the foliage twice a month. Especially during the flower spike growth period, you can add a 0.01% boric acid solution to enhance the quality of blooming. For dormant varieties, strictly stop fertilizing but apply EM菌 liquid once a month to maintain root activity.
3.2 Light Control Techniques
Establish a "step-wise lighting supplement system": around the winter solstice (December-February), use full-spectrum plant lights to supplement light for 4 hours daily. Control the light intensity between 8000-12000 lux, and maintain the leaf temperature at 18-22℃. Be sure to rotate the pot regularly to ensure even light exposure to the plant.
Through scientific moisture management and environmental control, orchids can not only survive the winter safely but also accumulate nutrients for the spring. It is recommended that caregivers establish a care log to record the daily temperature and humidity and the plant's condition. Special varieties like spring orchids and cold orchids need to be treated differently, mastering the principle of "watering according to the weather and controlling care based on temperature," to keep the orchids full of vitality in the cold winter.