How to care for cut Dendrobium flowers
A small knowledge of experience, introducing how to care for cut Dendrobium flowers and teaching you the correct maintenance methods for Dendrobium orchids. Next, the editor will introduce them.
Many people go to the flower market to buy New Year's flowers during the Chinese New Year, among which there is a type of New Year's flower called Dendrobium, which is very popular and quite expensive. The reason why it is expensive and many people still buy it is that when it blooms, it has strings of large, festive flowers. Moreover, having a pot at home can enjoy the flowers for several months. However, most of the Dendrobium bought this year can bloom, but few can bloom the second year, and some even have problems after flowering and are thrown away. Dendrobium is also an orchid, and its maintenance difficulty is not very high. If you have bought it after flowering, don't throw it away. I will teach you three maintenance techniques to make it bloom and fill the pot next year.
1. Pruning after flowering
After buying the Dendrobium flowers, we should prune it in time. Do not keep the flower stem. Generally, cut it about one centimeter below the first flower. However, when pruning, make sure not to water it and do not let water get into the center of the flower stem. Pruning should be done on sunny days. After the pruning is done, let it rest for a few days, and then change the pot when the flower stem has retracted.
2. Pot changing
Usually, the Dendrobium bought either comes in a high pot that the seller has already changed or in a simple pot. Both types of pots are not suitable. The pot provided by the seller does not prune the roots but fills the soil directly, which easily causes root rot and poor growth later on. Our pot changing is relatively simple: take it out of the pot, remove all the soil from the roots, and cut off any rotten or dry roots. After cutting off the bad roots, soak the roots in a solution of root-promoting liquid and carbendazim for 15 to 20 minutes. After soaking, we can plant it.
When changing the pot, choose a special orchid soil or use your own fermented bark and peanut shells. The new pot should be one or two sizes larger than the original one. Do not plant it directly in the original pot. When planting, fill some soil in the center of the roots, wrap the roots with the soil, put the whole plant into the pot, add soil to the bottom, and then fill around the roots. Gently shake the pot to compact the soil. The connection between the leaves and the bottom roots should be slightly exposed. Do not cover it all. Do not mulch or add organic fertilizers directly. Use plain soil. After planting, water it thoroughly with the solution of root-promoting liquid and carbendazim, and water it several times to thoroughly wet the potting soil. Then place it in a place with scattered light and good ventilation, let it rest for one to two weeks, and then gradually return to normal maintenance when it starts to grow.
How to care for cut Dendrobium flowers
3. Later-stage maintenance
If you find that the Dendrobium has started to grow, what you need to do is gradually increase the light exposure. Dendrobium is different from other orchids; it likes light but is afraid of direct sunlight. We need to ensure it gets at least two to three hours of light every day, such as before 10 a.m. and after 3 or 4 p.m. Keep the potting soil slightly moist, and water thoroughly when the surface feels dry. Make sure the environment is well-ventilated. After changing the pot, start fertilizing with a balanced multi-element fertilizer as soon as it starts growing. Continue this until summer arrives, making sure to shade it from direct sunlight, water thoroughly when the surface is dry, and maintain good ventilation. Use potassium dihydrogen phosphate as fertilizer. Do not use too high a concentration, usually once or twice a month, which can help it differentiate flower buds. By autumn, the flower spikes can grow and bloom. Continue using potassium dihydrogen phosphate until autumn arrives. Also use it when the flower spikes appear, and stop when they have grown tall.
This is how to care for Dendrobium orchids in your home. After buying it, prune and change the pot in time, master the technique, and follow the maintenance method as described by the editor. The key is to maintain humidity and ventilation. Do not expose it to direct sunlight. If cared for properly, it will grow good roots and can grow flower spikes by autumn, allowing you to see it bloom again next year.
The above is the complete introduction from [Green Plant Enthusiast Website] on how to care for cut Dendrobium flowers and teach you the correct maintenance methods. We hope it can be helpful to you. Don't forget to visit Green Plant Enthusiast Website for more experience and knowledge!