How to care for Mo Lan in winter
The editor introduces how to care for Mo Lan in winter and related experience of flowering plant cultivation, with correct winter care methods for Mo Lan. Next, the editor will introduce to the netizens.
Mo Lan, also known as Bao Nian Lan, Bai Nian Lan, Ren Nian Lan, has a blooming period around the Spring Festival, making it the main variety of Chinese orchids for the New Year. However, Mo Lan is difficult to care for during the long and cold winter. What should be done?
By following these four points in winter, Mo Lan's leaves will be dark green and glossy, and its flowers will emit a fragrant aroma!
1. Place in a sunny indoor area
Mo Lan is a semi-shaded plant that prefers moderate sunlight and dislikes direct sunlight. In winter and spring, you can move the pot to a sunny indoor area to expose it to more scattered light. This is very effective for the growth of Mo Lan and promoting bud formation and blooming.
2. Water and fertilizer control
In winter, the temperature is low, and water evaporates slowly. Excessive watering can cause waterlogging and root rot, while not watering is not feasible because Mo Lan plants that bloom in winter will find it difficult to bloom on time without timely water and fertilizer supplementation.
Water supply should maintain the cultivation medium at 40% moisture. It is advisable to spray water around the leaves and the ground around the pot regularly to increase the humidity around the plant, which is beneficial for the growth, bud formation, and blooming of Mo Lan.
It is best to use rainwater, snowwater, river water, or pond water for watering orchids. When using tap water, it should be dried in the sun for 1-2 days before use.
Here's a tip: When watering Mo Lan with tap water, you can add a small amount of edible vinegar to the water, diluted about a thousandfold.
The main reasons are: 1. Increase the acidity of the potting soil; 2. It can kill diseases and pests in the soil; 3. Clean the leaves, making them dark green and glossy, enhancing their ornamental effect.
How to care for Mo Lan in winter
Mo Lan plants are tall, leaves are broad and thick, roots are developed, with multiple flowers per spike, and they require a large amount of fertilizer. Daily maintenance should involve applying thin fertilizers frequently, which is an important condition for promoting lush leaves and roots.
No matter what kind of planting material is used to grow Mo Lan, it is necessary to fertilize appropriately, with a higher dosage than other types of orchids. Due to its well-developed root system, it is better to choose a larger pot rather than a smaller one, depending on the number of plants and the root condition.
After the beginning of winter, I start controlling water and fertilizer, mainly using phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. The main fertilizers are ripe rice water (mixed with water at a ratio of 1:2) or a 0.2% to 0.3% solution of potassium dihydrogen phosphate. Every 20 days, apply the fertilizer gently around the pot edge on a sunny afternoon, allowing the fertilizer water to penetrate the roots of the plant. The amount of fertilizer water should be determined by the size of the pot, about 300-400 grams.
3. Prefers humidity, dislikes dryness
Mo Lan mostly grows at the foot of mountains, in the shade of trees, or near streams, where there is often fog and high humidity. However, in northern winters, the air humidity is often low, which is not conducive to its growth. Methods such as using a humidifier or placing water trays can be used to increase relative humidity and create a suitable environment for Mo Lan.
4. Prefers warmth, not cold-resistant
Most of the original habitats of Mo Lan are in tropical and subtropical regions with warm climates, and the winter temperature rarely drops to around 0°C. Therefore, Mo Lan is the orchid species that prefers the warmest environment the most and is most afraid of frost.
In areas other than Hainan, Taiwan, Guangdong, Fujian, and Guangxi, it is best to keep them indoors during winter to avoid frost damage.
The room temperature should generally not be lower than 5°C to safely survive the winter. A special reminder for flower friends in the north: the north has dry springs, strong winds, and large temperature differences between day and night, so it's not suitable to move them outdoors early. It can be moved to outdoor cultivation in early May.
This article shares all the introductions on how to care for Mo Lan in winter and the correct winter care methods for Mo Lan, hoping to bring you some help. Finally, don't forget to visit the Green Plant Enthusiast website for more flower care experience and knowledge!