Core Guide: This article introduces the genus Phalaenopsis, focusing on post-bloom management. Editor's introduction follows.
If you want the butterfly orchid to rebloom the next year, post-bloom management is crucial. It has a direct impact on safe over-summering and blooming the following year. Based on years of practice, the author has summarized a set of post-bloom care methods, which are introduced as follows:
1. Remove the flower spike:
After all the flowers of the butterfly orchid have wilted, promptly cut the flower spike from the base to reduce nutrient consumption. Some people keep the flower spike to try to get a second bloom, which is not advisable. The chances of a second bloom are low, and even if flowers appear, they are of poor quality, small, and few in number. Moreover, butterfly orchids that rebloom have poor flowering quality the following year or may not bloom at all, so the flower spike should be cut off promptly.
2. Keep warm:
Shortly after the butterfly orchid finishes blooming, heating in the northern regions will stop, and tropical flowers are very sensitive to low temperatures, so they should be kept warm. Cover the pot with a plastic film, reduce watering and stop fertilizing. Place the covered pot in a sunny area inside the room to raise the temperature of the microenvironment through sunlight.
3. Change pots early:
After blooming, the butterfly orchid should be repotted promptly, no later than mid-April. When repotting, carefully remove the plant from the pot, cut off the dead roots, and remove the decayed medium, being careful not to damage the roots. Place broken pot pieces or ceramic stones at the bottom for drainage and prepare a growing mixture of coarse river sand, decomposed leaf soil, and vermiculite in a 1:1:1 ratio. Mix in 15 to 25 grams of well-rotted sesame cake fertilizer and 10 grams of sulfur powder. The sulfur powder can disinfect the soil and also lower the pH value. When repotting, be careful not to press too hard on the soil to avoid damaging the roots.
4. Watering skills:
Watering is crucial in the care of butterfly orchids. From after removing the flower spike until before Labor Day, the potting soil should be kept moist, generally watering thoroughly once a week. Excessive dryness can cause the plant to die from water loss, and excessive moisture can lead to root rot. After Labor Day, water thoroughly every four to five days and spray the leaves with water at noon when temperatures are high. Since tap water in the north is alkaline and can cause the potting soil to become alkaline over time, it's appropriate to water with a small amount of ferrous sulfate every week or so.
5. Sufficient lighting:
Providing ample lighting is very important in the post-bloom care of butterfly orchids. Before mid-May, you can place them in a well-lit area. After mid-May, as temperatures gradually rise and UV radiation becomes stronger, avoid direct sunlight during the middle of the day, and in summer, provide partial shade.
6. Prevent diseases and pests:
The above is the complete content for the post-bloom management of butterfly orchids, for your comprehensive understanding and reference!