How to properly care for Cattleya to make it bloom
Introduction: This article will provide knowledge on how to properly care for Cattleya to make it bloom. Let's delve into the details.
How to properly care for Cattleya to make it bloom
Cattleya requires a warm, humid, and shaded environment throughout the year, with well-draining and moisture-retaining acidic soil for cultivation. It does not tolerate cold and intense sunlight; during summer, it needs to be shaded. In winter and early spring, it can be exposed to morning and late afternoon sunlight to promote growth. In addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer when potting, it is necessary to apply decomposed liquid fertilizers such as bone meal and cake fertilizer dilutions during regular maintenance.
Cattleya prefers moist conditions and fears waterlogging in the potting soil; it enjoys sunlight but avoids intense sunlight exposure; it thrives in fertile soil but dislikes excessive fertilization.
Therefore, to properly care for potted Cattleya, one should master three key points: "spray water, shade from intense sunlight, and control fertilization." By doing these three things, you can successfully care for potted Cattleya. It is recommended that enthusiasts should start with the following aspects of maintenance:
Selection of Cultivation Soil
Potted plants should use a mixture of 40% decomposed leaf soil or coarse sawdust, 40% sandy loam, and 20% rabbit or sheep dung balls, mixed and stirred together. After 3 to 5 months of fermentation and decomposition, it can be used as potting soil.
Before planting in the pot, place some animal hoof slices as a base fertilizer at the bottom. Cattleya is a plant that enjoys fertilizer, and it will not bloom without sufficient nutrient supply.
Therefore, during the growing period, it is necessary to apply a liquid fertilizer every 10 to 15 days. In the hot summer, apply fertilizer once a month; in autumn, apply 1 to 2 times of decomposed organic liquid fertilizers. From frost to early spring, fertilization should be stopped.
The fertilizers used should be diluted with decomposed bone meal, soybean cake extracts, etc., before application. Avoid applying concentrated or raw fertilizers to prevent root burn.
Water Supply Should Be Appropriate
Caring for Cattleya should be seasonally differentiated. In summer, when Cattleya is growing vigorously, the potting soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged to avoid root rot. It should also be protected from intense sunlight and moved to a shaded area or under a shelter.
Regularly spray mist on the plant to increase the humidity in the environment. In spring, spray mist twice a day and water the pot every 7 to 9 days, keeping the soil slightly moist.
In the hot summer, water according to the moisture level of the potting soil twice a day, but mist spraying can be done as often as needed.
In autumn, water less on sunny days but continue to mist frequently. On rainy days, do not water or mist. In winter, strictly control watering and avoid misting to prevent root rot.
Shaded Maintenance Is More Suitable
Cattleya prefers semi-shady conditions, so during its growing period, it should be placed in a well-ventilated area with diffused light. In winter, it can be placed in a bright area with diffused sunlight inside the house. Usually, in the morning and evening, it can be exposed to more sunlight to promote growth.
The above introduction on how to properly care for Cattleya to make it bloom is provided for reference and learning by netizens.