How to care for spring hanging orchids to make them more vigorous
An introduction to the care and maintenance tips for spring hanging orchids to make them more vigorous and healthy, as well as some useful knowledge about green plants and flowers. It's worth collecting!
As one of the most traditional indoor hanging plants, hanging orchids are almost a potted plant in every household. With long, evergreen leaves, they can grow vines over time, resembling a green "waterfall." Spring is the fastest growing season for hanging orchids, and with a few simple techniques, they can be easily cared for, resulting in full pots of leaves.
1. Repotting
The root system of hanging orchids is particularly developed, with thick and robust roots that look like little radishes in the soil. This root system grows very fast, and as long as there are no major issues in care, it will fill the entire pot within 1-2 years, absorbing all the nutrients in the soil. If not repotted for a long time, the new roots will not be able to absorb nutrients, leading to malnutrition in the plant, such as no new leaves or weak new leaves.
Usually, it is necessary to repot the hanging orchid every 1-2 years, with the repotting time usually in spring or autumn. When repotting, it is essential to use loose and fertile soil, and never use pure garden soil or pure loess, as these soils have poor breathability and low nutrient content, making repotting counterproductive. Remember to observe the root system of the hanging orchid when repotting, and if any diseased, dry, or rotten roots are found, they should be pruned promptly.
2. Increase lighting appropriately
Hanging orchids are not very sensitive to light, they enjoy sunlight but also have good shade tolerance, and can be cared for in sunny or semi-shady places. However, as the temperature rises in spring, the hanging orchids enter a stage of rapid growth, and if you want them to grow quickly, it is better to increase lighting. Place the pot in a well-lit position, ensuring at least 4 hours of direct sunlight every day.
After May, as spring transitions to summer, the sun's ultraviolet radiation becomes more intense. At this time, move the pot to a place with scattered light, avoiding direct sunlight to prevent the leaves from being sunburned.
How to care for spring hanging orchids to make them more vigorous
3. Fertilizing
In spring, there are two aspects to fertilizing hanging orchids. One is to add a small amount of organic fertilizer to the soil as a base fertilizer when repotting, such as decomposed cow and sheep manure, soybean cake fertilizer, fruit peel fertilizer, etc. The added base fertilizer is the main source of soil fertility.
The other is after repotting the hanging orchid for 2 months, some of the fertilizer in the soil has been consumed and needs to be supplemented; or if the hanging orchid has not been repotted this year, nutrients need to be supplemented through additional fertilization. In this case, you can choose the organic fertilizers mentioned above, apply a small amount of fertilizer every month, and bury it in the pot; or use a nutrient solution high in nitrogen content to water the roots of the hanging orchid, applying it every 15 days or so.
In summer, the weather is too hot, and in winter, it's too cold, so no fertilization is needed during these two seasons.
4. Increase watering appropriately
The root system of hanging orchids has a strong water storage capacity. After watering, the hanging orchid stores water in its roots. If it encounters a water shortage, the water in the roots will be redistributed to the rest of the plant, making hanging orchids relatively drought-resistant. With the rise of temperatures in spring, the rapid growth of hanging orchids increases their water demand, and watering can be increased appropriately, but not too much or too frequently. Otherwise, the excess water that the roots cannot absorb will accumulate in the pot, burdening the plant.
When the temperature rises to above 15 degrees Celsius in spring, watering the hanging orchid should follow the principle of "watering when dry and keeping moist." Before each watering, check the surface of the potting soil, and only water when the surface is white and dry. If the soil surface is not dry, there is no need to water.
The above is the full content on how to care for spring hanging orchids to make them more vigorous and the spring care tips. I hope it can help you, and I also hope that everyone will visit the Green Plant Enthusiast website for more experience and knowledge about green plants and flowers!