How to Cultivate Orchids Properly
Compared to the common knowledge about how to cultivate orchids and the precautions for planting orchids that most people are familiar with, the editor will introduce the related content next.
Orchids have a graceful posture, noble and elegant, placing them at home not only looks beautiful and generous but also adds a touch of cultural atmosphere, so many orchid enthusiasts like to keep several pots of orchids at home for appreciation.
Those who have cultivated orchids know that this plant has high environmental requirements, such as soil, temperature, and humidity, which is why many beginners have difficulty growing them well. In fact, orchids are not as difficult to cultivate as everyone imagines. As long as you care for them according to their growth habits, they can usually thrive. For新手 orchid cultivation, remember these four key points to ensure vigorous growth and prevent root rot.
Cultivation Material Should Be Water Retaining and Breathable
Cultivating orchids is different from other flowers; it has high requirements for the growing soil. In the wild, orchids often grow in soft and breathable humus soil. When cultivating orchids at home, we should also provide soft and breathable materials to ensure that the orchid roots grow strong and avoid empty or rotting roots.
The reason why many beginners have their orchids rotting at home is often due to the soil being too sticky and having poor breathability, causing the roots to rot after long-term moisture retention. Therefore, the first step in cultivating good orchids is to prepare the right growing material.
There are many materials used to prepare orchid growing substrates, usually divided into hard and soft materials. Hard materials include volcanic stones, vermiculite, coal slag, and broken bricks, while soft materials include fermented pine needles, bark, peanut shells, and coconut bran. Regardless of the type of material used, it should be loose and breathable, and also have some water retention, as otherwise, the roots can easily dehydrate and develop more empty roots.
How to Water Properly?
It is often said that "To cultivate orchids, one must master the art of watering," indicating that watering orchids is a challenging skill to acquire. Everyone may have their own watering methods, but the same method does not necessarily suit all orchids. There are two reasons for this. First, different substrates have different evaporation rates. If the substrate is breathable but does not retain water, it dries quickly, and watering should be done as soon as it dries.
Second, different seasons require different watering intervals. The evaporation rate of water in summer and winter varies greatly, so you cannot stick to one method and must adapt. Only by understanding your own orchids can you find a suitable watering method, rather than simply following others' schedules.
Many orchid enthusiasts say, "Dry cultivation for orchids, wet cultivation for chrysanthemums." By "dry cultivation of orchids," it means to avoid excessive watering that keeps the potting mix moist for too long, leading to root rot. However, it does not mean that the drier the substrate, the better, as this can lead to more empty roots. In fact, orchids grow better in substrates that are moist but not wet, making it easier for them to sprout new buds.
Issues Related to Orchid Fertilization
Any plant's growth depends on nutrients, and orchids are no exception. When the nutrients in the substrate are insufficient, especially for orchids grown in hard substrates, the lack of fertilization for an extended period can lead to weak, yellowing leaves without vitality.
Improper fertilization can also cause root burn and yellow leaves, especially for beginners. Avoid using unfermented organic fertilizers in the pot, as this can lead to root rot.