How to care for orchids in summer for the best results
Answering netizens' questions about the best way to care for orchids in summer and the precautions for cultivating orchids, this is some very useful knowledge about green plants and flowers. It is recommended to save it for future reference!
In summer, to keep orchids thriving, four key points must be mastered.
Summer is a very challenging season for orchids, as high environmental temperatures and intense sunlight are very unfavorable for their growth. Therefore, many orchids tend to have problems in summer. Of course, for many orchid enthusiasts who have been growing orchids for a long time, they will have some experience in caring for them. By understanding the growth habits of orchids and mastering a few key points of care, it is still possible to keep orchids thriving in summer.
How to care for orchids in summer?
1. Watering is crucial
The most difficult aspect of caring for orchids is watering. Watering differs depending on the growing medium, environment, and season. For example, if the growing medium has good permeability and dries quickly, and the environment is relatively dry, it is necessary to supplement water according to the dryness or moisture of the potting soil.
In spring and autumn, during the growing period of the plant, the potting soil should be kept slightly moist. After entering summer, with the rise in temperature and rapid evaporation of water, the potting soil should neither be too dry nor too moist or waterlogged. Each watering should be done when the soil is dry to the touch but still slightly moist.
In environments with high temperatures and dryness, it is necessary to frequently spray water on the orchid plants to cool and increase humidity, keeping the environment relatively moist.
2. Stop fertilizing during high temperatures
Orchids prefer cool and well-ventilated environments and do not tolerate high temperatures. When the temperature exceeds 30℃ in summer, the plant basically stops growing and its demand for nutrients is reduced. At this time, it is not advisable to continue fertilizing excessively, as this can easily cause fertilizer damage and burn the roots.
If the growing environment is relatively cool and the orchid plant is in the growing stage, it can be fertilized with some thin fertilizer to promote plant growth.
3. Avoid direct sunlight
Orchids prefer semi-shaded conditions. Normally, they can be exposed to weak scattered light to promote strong growth and also help with flowering. However, the strong sunlight in summer can easily scorch the orchid plants, making it difficult for them to recover.
In summer, orchids should be moved to a cool and well-ventilated environment for care. If they are kept outdoors, a shade net should be set up, and water should be sprinkled around the pot to cool down.
4. Maintain good ventilation
In hot and humid environments in summer, orchids often suffer from fungal diseases, such as leaf spot. After the disease occurs, brown or black spots appear on the leaf surface, some growing in strips or near the leaf tips. This is often caused by a stuffy environment, moist potting soil, and poor ventilation, leading to infection by pathogens. In this case, fungicides such as carbendazim or thiophanate-methyl can be used, and good ventilation should be maintained to prevent the disease.
Although orchids are noble and elegant, they are also very delicate flowers, especially in the hot summer season. Caring for orchids requires careful attention, reasonable management of water and fertilizer, and lighting based on their growth habits to ensure that the orchid plants grow vigorously and have a more beautiful appearance.
The above is a comprehensive explanation of how to care for orchids in summer and the precautions for cultivating orchids. I hope it can serve as a starting point to solve your green plant problems.