How to manage orchid buds
Late spring and early summer are the critical period for orchid bud emergence, and the quality of new bud germination is directly related to the flowering performance and plant health that year. Mastering scientific maintenance methods can not only promote flower bud differentiation, but also create beautiful plant types through reasonable bud thinning. Based on professional gardening experience, this article systematically analyzes the five core management elements of orchid sprouting period to help you cultivate strong and plump orchid buds. Precise temperature control plan for orchid sprouting environment control. Controlling the temperature difference between day and night at 10-12℃ is most conducive to the development of new buds. Maintaining 20-25℃ during the day to promote photosynthesis, and lowering it to 15-18℃ at night to accumulate nutrients. When the temperature exceeds 28℃, it is recommended to adopt dual measures such as sunshade net cooling + ground watering. During the high temperature warning period, circulating fans can be temporarily used to increase air flow. Intelligent light management uses a double-layer sunshade net with 50% shading rate to create an ideal light environment, ensuring 4-6 hours of mottled light every day. The flower stand can be placed in a north-south direction, and the rotating chassis can be used to adjust the angle of 45 degrees every day to allow the plants to receive even light. Special attention should be paid to the need to reduce the light intensity by 30% for shade loving varieties such as Cymbidium and Cymbidium. The water and fertilizer collaborative strategy for orchid bud thinning nutrition management adopts a combination plan of "seeing dry and wet + applying thin fertilizer frequently", and uses a balanced nutrient solution (N-P-K=20-20-20) with an EC value of 1.2-1.5mS/cm, and uses it alternately with seaweed essence. It is recommended to apply foliar fertilizer 6 hours after watering, use 800-fold diluted amino acid foliar fertilizer spray, focusing on the base of new buds. Scientific bud thinning skills When the new buds grow to 3-5cm, they should be thinned to retain 2-3 strong main buds. Use alcohol-disinfected elbow tweezers to close the false bulb at a 45-degree angle to remove weak buds. Apply charcoal powder immediately after thinning buds to prevent infection, and simultaneously apply additional phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (N-P-K=10-30-20) to promote wound healing. Special maintenance during the sprouting period of orchids, special attention should be paid to air humidity control during the sprouting period. It is recommended to maintain a relative humidity of 65-75%. You can use the ultrasonic humidifier for 1 hour in the morning and evening to create a microclimate with the laying of volcanic stone water trays. Regularly check the air permeability of the plant material. When the plant material is found to be hardened, a bamboo stick can be inserted to improve the permeability of the substrate.
Through the four-dimensional integrated scientific management of temperature, light, water and fertilizer, and bud thinning, coupled with refined environmental control, the quality of orchid buds can not only be improved, but also high-quality plants with beautiful flowers and leaves can be cultivated. It is recommended to take growth records every month, establish maintenance files, and gradually optimize personalized management plans.