How Beginners Can Plant Orchids
The editor introduces how beginners can plant orchids and the aspects of orchid cultivation and maintenance in green plants and flowers. Let's take a look!
China has a long history of orchid cultivation, and the number of people cultivating orchids is increasing every year. Many orchid enthusiasts have never cultivated orchids before, but as they delve deeper into flower cultivation, they gradually develop an interest in orchids. However, some orchid enthusiasts do not choose the right variety when starting out, and their orchids die after a short period, greatly discouraging their confidence in orchid cultivation. Autumn is a good time to start orchids, and for新手 friends who have never cultivated orchids, they should avoid these 5 "don'ts" to ensure survival rates.
Orchid
1. Don't chase expensive ones
Some新手 orchid enthusiasts specifically look for expensive orchids when buying, believing that expensive ones are necessarily better than cheaper ones. Without orchid cultivation experience, it's common for newly purchased orchid plants to wither, and the more expensive the orchid, the more attention it receives. Any slight breeze or change can cause panic, leading to disorganized care and speeding up the orchid's death. Moreover, losing an expensive orchid is painful because it represents hard-earned money. Some orchid enthusiasts conclude that orchids are too expensive and difficult to cultivate after losing expensive ones, and they never touch orchids again. Therefore, it is recommended that enthusiasts buy some inexpensive, easy-to-care-for common orchids when starting out. On one hand, these orchids are adaptable and resilient, reducing the chance of death. On the other hand, they are affordable, so even if they die, it's not too painful, and you can always buy a few more to practice with by saving the cost of a pack of cigarettes.
Expensive does not necessarily mean good; what suits you is the best.
2. Don't chase the unusual
Some orchid enthusiasts suddenly want to cultivate orchids because they are captivated by a picture. One enthusiast spent over 200 yuan on an orchid said to bloom blue flowers (having no prior experience with orchids), simply because the flower color in the picture was too unique and beautiful. The result is predictable: the orchid died within two months. There are indeed some unusual orchids in the orchid community, but those that are too unusual may have issues. Think twice, and then think again before buying. It is recommended that新手 orchid enthusiasts do not chase the unusual, such as expensive artistic orchids, which are for experienced growers. Start with some common orchids to practice, and once you reach that level, you can cultivate them later.
3. Don't chase the single plant
Some orchid enthusiasts are cautious when starting out, buying just one plant to test the waters. They think this way they can determine how the orchid grows and whether it's easy to care for, similar to trying a snack before buying more. This mindset also makes it difficult to keep orchids alive or healthy, and it's even harder for新手 to get them to bloom. It's harder to keep a single orchid alive than a group of two or three. In the same cluster, the rhizomes of orchids are interconnected, sharing food and resisting diseases together. Three cobblers are better than one, but a single orchid has no one to rely on and must face challenges alone, with no one to talk to, leading to a significantly lower survival rate. Therefore, it is recommended that新手 friends buy 3-5 orchids at once, which are easier to care for and more likely to bloom, achieving our ultimate goal of cultivating orchids.
The survival rate of a single seedling is very low.
4. Don't chase flowers
When starting out with orchids, the focus should be on the plant itself, such as whether the roots are developed, the leaves are thick, and the rhizomes are full, not on how many flower buds there are. Newly introduced orchids may have their roots damaged or the environment changed, so it's recommended to cut off the original flower buds. Even if you can't bear to cut them, these flower buds may not necessarily bloom. The number of flower buds is not a sign of a good or bad orchid. On the contrary, when weak plants have too many flower buds, it is very detrimental to the survival and later growth of the orchid. Some新手 friends choose the plant with the most flower buds when starting out, but it often dies after being brought home. Conversely, plants without flower buds at the time of purchase can survive the acclimatization period and grow smoothly.
How Beginners Can Plant Orchids
The focus should be on the plant, not the flowers when starting out.
5. Don't chase fast growth
Under proper care, common orchids do grow relatively fast, doubling in number within a year. However, newly introduced orchids should be allowed to acclimate and grow slowly without rushing to water and fertilize more, which can rot the roots and cause the whole pot to die. The growth trajectory of newly introduced orchids is: acclimatization, root development, and growth. The length of the acclimatization period varies and is related to the orchid variety, plant condition, temperature, and planting material. After acclimatization, the orchid roots need to grow first to absorb more nutrients and water before the leaves can grow. Therefore, don't worry if the planted orchid doesn't grow for a long time, as long as the leaves look healthy. If it doesn't grow, it may be because the roots are not growing well and are still recovering. Rushing to water and fertilize at this point is counterproductive. Fertilization should only be applied when you see it growing, which will be more effective.
Newly potted seedlings will definitely not grow as fast as old ones, so be patient.
Conclusion
Newcomers should start with common orchids that are affordable, easy to care for, and resilient, buying 3-5 plants at once and taking good care of them after planting. No fertilization should be applied before the orchid has acclimatized, maintaining moist potting soil and good ventilation. In other words, cultivating orchids is like playing a video game; start from the lower ranks, familiarize yourself with basic operations, and then strive to rank up. Don't start with high-level orchids, as even with luck, you won't be able to play well.
This article shares how beginners can plant orchids and related content about orchid cultivation and maintenance for green plant enthusiasts, hoping to solve your problems in green plant management.