How to cultivate orchids in winter
Comprehensive analysis of how to cultivate orchids in winter and detailed explanation of the management points of orchids, followed by sharing detailed content.
How to care for orchids in winter? Four key cares done well, the orchid plants grow vigorously and bloom early.
Recently, many orchid enthusiasts often ask about the overwintering of orchids, that is, how to care for orchids in winter. There are many varieties of orchids, but their growth habits are roughly similar, and the methods of care in winter are also basically the same. Orchids are not cold-resistant herbaceous plants, and if the ambient temperature, watering, and fertilizing are not properly controlled in winter, it is easy to cause harm to the orchid seedlings. To care for orchids in winter, as long as four key cares are done well, the orchid plants can grow vigorously, and spring orchids and Huilan can bloom early in spring.
Winter orchid temperature
Orchids are herbaceous plants with weak cold resistance. In winter, attention should be paid to keeping warm and preventing cold, especially in the northern regions, when the temperature is lower than 5℃ after entering winter, they should be moved indoors for care. In the southern regions, with a winter temperature range of 5-10℃, such climate allows the plants to experience a period of low-temperature care outdoors to enhance their cold resistance and is also beneficial for blooming the following year.
When caring for orchids in the northern regions, do not imitate the southern orchid enthusiasts' care experience. The temperature in the north is below zero in winter, and if the orchids are left outside for too long, they will definitely be frozen. Therefore, different climatic environments require different care methods and cannot be copied entirely from others' experience.
Watering interval
How often to water orchids in winter should also depend on the growing environment. The low winter temperature causes the orchid plants to grow very slowly, and the water evaporation also decreases, so the soil will not dry out for many days after watering.
If the care environment temperature is relatively low, it is necessary to reduce watering as much as possible and not water frequently as long as the potting soil is not dry. If placed indoors with heating facilities and the temperature is generally above 20℃, orchids are definitely in a normal growth state, requiring slightly more water. Since indoor heating causes rapid water evaporation, watering can be slightly increased.
How to cultivate orchids in winter
When watering orchids in winter, it is best to choose a relatively warm noon time. When watering, do not pour water directly from the leaf clusters, as this can easily cause water to accumulate in the leaf hearts, leading to leaf rot or flower bud drop if it splashes on the flower buds. Water should be gently poured along the edge of the pot until the growing medium is thoroughly wet.
How to fertilize in winter?
Many orchid enthusiasts ask whether it is still possible to fertilize orchids in winter. Fertilizing is possible. For example, spring orchids and Huilan are in the flower bud formation stage, with high nutrient requirements. Even for orchids that do not bloom in spring, supplementing them with some nutrients can enhance their cold resistance and make them grow stronger in spring.
When fertilizing orchids in winter, it should be done in an environment above 10℃ and mainly with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, such as monopotassium phosphate. It can be diluted with water to a 1:1000 nutrient solution and watered 1-2 times a month to supplement nutrients for the plant and improve its resistance, allowing it to grow more vigorously in the spring of the following year.