How Long Does an Orchid Bloom
Are you curious about how long orchids bloom and the related content of the green plant's symbolism and meaning? Let's delve into the details.
【Introduction】
Orchids come in many species and varieties, each with its own unique posture, elegance, and nobility; they also fill the air with a rich, pleasant fragrance. Especially when compared with plum blossoms, bamboo, and chrysanthemums, orchids have become an excellent representation of noble character and resilience against the cold, often used to symbolize people, and listed as one of the Four Gentlemen of Flowers, making them a favorite among flower enthusiasts.
But do you know when orchids bloom? And how should you care for them during blooming? As a green plant enthusiast, today, I'd like to share some insights with everyone. Let's focus on the care and management of Chinese orchids during their blooming period, hoping it will be helpful to you.
One, the blooming time of orchids.
In our country, there are many species of orchids. Simply put, they can be divided into seven categories, mainly including: spring orchid, Cymbidium, dendrobium, winter orchid, black orchid, spring sword, and lotus orchid. These seven types of Chinese orchids have relatively different blooming times, some bloom at the same time, while others do not.
In order to help everyone understand, I have listed the blooming times of these seven types of orchids in a sequence for easy reference, arranged by the 12 months of the year. Of course, this is only a general time frame and is not set in stone. This information is for your reference.
1. January to March: The main orchids in bloom are four types, including spring orchid, black orchid, spring sword, and lotus orchid, which burst into bloom at the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
2. March to May: Mainly Cymbidium, which usually blooms around the transition from spring to summer.
3. May to October: Mainly dendrobium, which usually flowers in summer and autumn.
4. October to January: Mainly winter orchid, which blooms in the cold winter. Hence the name, winter orchid, for this reason.
This is just a general blooming time for orchids and is not completely fixed. It is influenced by different categories and varieties, as well as regional climates. This is a general flowering period, mainly for your understanding and grasp, and has been connected by the 12 months for easy reference.
If our care and management are in place, blooming may be slightly earlier or the blooming period may be extended, and it may even bloom multiple times a year. So how should we care for and manage orchids during their blooming period? Let's discuss this together.
Two, how to care for and manage orchids during the blooming period.
Previously, we discussed the general blooming time of orchids. But do you know how to care for and manage orchids during their blooming period?
【Tip】
There are many things to pay attention to when orchids are blooming, and I hope friends can understand them better to care for orchids more effectively. Let's learn together.
I will mainly discuss the three stages of orchid blooming: bud formation, blooming, and after blooming, to give you a clear impression and focus on the care and management during the blooming period.
(一) How to care for and manage during the bud formation stage.
The bud formation stage of orchids is the period from when the flower spike emerges to before the orchid blooms. How to care for and manage it? I've written an article on this topic, which interested friends can refer to. As everyone knows, the bud formation period of orchids varies in length.
It is influenced by the variety of orchids and the care and management.
Usually, we should do the following:
First, provide low-temperature spring care to form flower buds; second, increase light appropriately to strengthen the orchid plant and form flower buds; at the same time, control water appropriately to promote bud differentiation. Finally, trim weak buds in time to promote and strengthen the growth of flower buds.(二) How to care for and manage during the blooming stage.
After the bud formation stage of orchids, the flowering stage naturally follows, with beautiful and colorful flowers. Today, let's focus on the care and management of orchids during their blooming period.
It can be said that in spring there are spring orchids and black orchids, in summer there are Cymbidium and dendrobium, in autumn there is dendrobium, and in winter there is winter orchid. Throughout the four seasons, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, orchids bloom continuously.
1. Discuss watering.
Everyone knows that there is a saying that "orchids are dry and chrysanthemums are wet." In fact, proper control of watering during the blooming period of orchids can make the flowers more beautiful and the blooming period longer, allowing us to enjoy orchids better.
How to achieve this?
I usually keep the soil slightly dry and not too wet. Simply put: when the potting soil becomes dry, replenish water in time to prevent it from being too dry or completely dry. At the same time, prevent too much water from accumulating and forming积水, which can affect the growth of orchids.
My method of operation:
After the potting soil becomes dry, slowly inject clear water along the edge of the pot until the bottom of the pot leaks, then stop watering. Also, pay attention to ventilation.
If it is grown outdoors in summer, prevent rainwater from flooding and causing积水. In winter, when grown outdoors, move it indoors in time to prevent frostbite from rain or snow.
How Long Does an Orchid Bloom
2. Discuss lighting.
During the blooming period of orchids, they still enjoy light, but are afraid of direct sunlight. With proper lighting, the plants are healthy and strong, the flowers are upright, and the flowers are beautiful.
How to achieve proper lighting?
I prefer warm lighting during the blooming period of orchids and avoid direct sunlight. I mainly consider the following aspects: one is the seasonal situation, which is different in spring, summer, autumn, and winter; the other is whether it is grown indoors or outdoors, which requires flexible handling.
My method of handling:
In spring and autumn, whether grown indoors or outdoors, I try to let orchids receive light, as the sun is gentle and suitable for blooming and growing.
In winter, usually grown indoors, more lighting is needed to strive for all-day lighting.
In summer, when grown outdoors, natural shading is provided to prevent direct sunlight and burn the leaves.
3. Discuss temperature control.
Orchids have relatively high requirements for temperature. High temperature makes it difficult to bloom normally, and low temperature affects the normal growth of orchids.
What temperature is considered reasonable?
The suitable temperature for orchid growth is generally 15-25℃. It is best to have a certain temperature difference, which is conducive to bud differentiation and outflow.
How do I control the temperature?
In spring and autumn, the temperature is relatively suitable for the blooming needs of orchids.
In summer, the temperature is high, and it is hot, so we need to find shade and cool down to prevent heatstroke.
In winter, indoor care should be away from heating devices to prevent high temperatures. Especially for orchids that bloom in spring, such as spring orchids, Cymbidium, and lotus orchids, the temperature can be controlled appropriately, slightly lowered to about 10℃ to promote the formation of flower buds.
4. Discuss fertilization methods.
How to fertilize relatively well?
The general principle is to apply thin fertilizer frequently. If we apply sufficient fertilizer during the flower spike stage, we can control fertilization during flowering; if the soil is fertile and rich in nutrients or the potting time is not long, we can also consider controlling fertilization. However, if the orchid lacks nutrients and grows weakly, we still need to supplement nutrients in time.
My fertilization method:
Usually, during the blooming period of orchids, I supplement fertilizer appropriately once every month or so. Generally, I use phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, sometimes浇 some fermented rice washing water, and sometimes supplement with decomposed cake fertilizer water, etc., to promote more beautiful and full blooming of orchids. But do not make the concentration too high to prevent root burns.
5. Discuss pruning requirements.
After the differentiation of orchid flower buds, the flower buds begin to sprout. Sometimes there are many flower buds, and their growth is uneven. We need to thin them appropriately.
How to thin flower buds better.
Thinning can prevent excessive consumption of nutrients and affect the overall growth of the orchid during the bud formation period. Therefore, it is necessary to prune excessive and weak flower buds to promote the healthy growth of the remaining flower buds and make the flowers bloom.
How I usually prune:
Usually, when the flower buds are about 2-3 centimeters long, it is easy to distinguish the quality of the flower spikes, and the weak flower spikes are removed in time, basically retaining 2-4 strong flower spikes. In addition, for orchids with multiple flowers on one spike, such as Cymbidium and black orchid, it is necessary to remove withered and weak flower buds to ensure overall beauty.