When do orchids bloom?
As a traditional famous flower in China, orchids are highly regarded for their elegant and subtle fragrance. However, many orchid enthusiasts are often困惑: When do different varieties of orchids actually bloom? This article will systematically analyze the blooming patterns of orchids from seasonal characteristics to maintenance techniques.
Orchid Varieties and Blooming Seasons Comparison
Spring Blooming Varieties
As the harbinger of spring, the spring orchid reveals its beauty from January to March. Following it are the spring sword orchid and the nine-headed orchid, which bloom with layered inflorescences from March to April, forming a spectacular view known as the "Three Friends of Spring Orchids."
Summer and Autumn Special Varieties
Hui orchid produces thin and long flower stems from March to May, while the sword orchid stands out with its elegant posture from September to October. These varieties are sensitive to temperature changes and require special attention to the regulation of day-night temperature differences.
Winter Frost-resistant Varieties
Black orchid blooms from November to December, and cold orchid and lotus-petal orchid bloom from December to January in the cold. These orchids need to maintain an overwintering environment of 8-15 degrees Celsius, supplemented by ample scattered light to promote flowering.
Four Elements of Orchid Blooming Maintenance
Substrate Mixing Standards
Use a formula of pine bark + volcanic rock + decomposed leaf soil (4:3:3) to ensure a pH value of 5.5-6.5. When repotting every year, retain 1/3 of the protective heart soil to reduce root damage.
Light and Temperature Control
Receive morning light for 3 hours in spring and autumn, and shade 70% in summer. Maintain a day-night temperature difference of 8-10 degrees Celsius, and keeping the night temperature not lower than 15 degrees Celsius can extend the blooming period by 5-7 days.
Water and Fertilizer Management Cycle
Use the "dry-wet" method and supplement phosphorus and potassium fertilizer twice a month. During the bud formation stage, apply diluted potassium dihydrogen phosphate (1000 times) to make the flower color more vibrant.
Disease and Pest Control
Water the roots with a carbendazim solution (800 times) every quarter, and hang yellow sticky insect boards during the peak period of scale insects. Maintaining a well-ventilated environment can reduce the incidence of diseases by 75%.
Mastering the phenological patterns of orchids and combining them with scientific maintenance methods can achieve the elegance of "orchid fragrance all year round." It is recommended to establish a maintenance log to record data such as temperature and fertilization, gradually forming an individualized orchid care system.