Why Does Spring Orchid Die Easily in Winter
Here we introduce the cultivation content of Spring Orchid, a plant from the Orchidaceae family. The following are the reasons why Spring Orchid is prone to die in winter:
Orchids are in a dormant or semi-dormant state in winter. Improper care can easily lead to physiological diseases. In mild cases, the leaves turn yellow and can still sprout in spring, while in severe cases, it can lead to death. The reasons include:
1. Overly dry or wet potting soil: Although orchids should significantly reduce water intake in winter, they cannot be left unwatered, nor should the potting soil be completely dry before watering. If the potting soil is too dry, combined with the dry winter climate, the pseudobulbs can easily become shriveled, and other tissues may be affected by excessive water loss, leading to poor plant growth, leaf withering, or even death. In winter, overly wet potting soil is highly discouraged for orchids, as excessive moisture, poor aeration, and烂根 (root rot) can easily occur, leading to death.
2. Unsuitable water and soil: The water used to water orchids is best rainwater or river water. If well water or tap water is used, the potting soil tends to become alkaline, the soil quality deteriorates, the potting soil compacts, has poor water permeability, and poor aeration, which can lead to overly moist potting soil in winter and a higher chance of root rot. Therefore, the potting soil for orchids should be slightly acidic and loose, with a pH between 5-6.5.
3. Improper watering method: Orchids should be watered in the morning or evening in other seasons, but in winter, it's best to water them in the sunlight at noon, and then place them in the sun for 1-2 hours after watering until the water at the base of the leaf cluster has dried before moving them indoors. If watered indoors, water can easily accumulate at the base of the stem, causing the pseudobulbs to rot and the plant to die. Since different orchid varieties require different amounts of water, watering in winter should be treated differently. For example, Autumn Orchid should be watered thoroughly before entering winter, while Spring Orchid should be kept moist but not saturated; in heavy snow, Autumn Orchid does not need watering, while Spring Orchid should be kept moist; from the Winter Solstice to the time of Minor Snow, both Autumn and Spring Orchids may not need watering or should maintain a balance of 80% dry and 20% moist.
4. Improper use of pots: Orchids should be cultivated in clay pots, which have better aeration than glazed pots, allowing for faster water drainage and quicker drying of the potting soil, which is very suitable for orchid growth and less likely to cause prolonged moisture, thus reducing the chance of diseases. Using glazed pots, especially in winter, often leads to root rot due to overly wet potting soil.
In addition, it is strictly forbidden to fertilize orchids in winter, as winter fertilization is most likely to cause root rot. The temperature and humidity indoors in winter should not be too high or too low, as otherwise, the plant growth will be poor. It is also important to avoid coal smoke. When the room temperature is high, windows should be opened for proper ventilation; when the temperature is too low, attention should be paid to preventing frostbite. Only in this way can orchids safely survive the winter without withering.
The above is a detailed introduction to why Spring Orchid is prone to die in winter. Do you understand now?