Can orchids be placed on the balcony for cultivation? It requires more effort.
Sharing some knowledge about orchids, a member of the Orchidaceae family. Can orchids be placed on the balcony for cultivation? It requires more effort. Next, the editor will introduce this topic.
Most orchid enthusiasts want to grow orchids, but now that most people live in apartments, the only space available for growing plants is the balcony. Thus, the question arises: can orchids be grown on the balcony? In fact, this is possible, and the majority of orchid enthusiasts grow their orchids on the balcony and have accumulated a lot of experience!
I. Characteristics of Different Balcony Environments
1. Open balcony features: Good ventilation, ample sunlight, large temperature differences (high temperatures in summer), low humidity, dryness, strong transpiration.
2. Enclosed balcony features: General ventilation, ample sunlight, general temperature differences (high temperatures in summer), low humidity, dryness, strong transpiration.
II. Temperature, Ventilation, Humidity
1. From numerous sources, it seems that around 28°C is the best growth temperature, while temperatures above 35°C may slow down growth or cause dormancy. Based on my observations over the past few years, orchids can still grow at 37°C. Many people's main concern is that high temperatures can easily lead to rot. However, the occurrence of rot is not only related to high temperatures but also to factors like sunlight, planting materials, watering, and ventilation management. Proper sunlight, clean, drainable, and breathable planting materials, a good ventilation environment, and management can prevent rot. This requires a comprehensive consideration of these factors, which is not something that can be explained in a few words. Here, I just want to point out that you shouldn't focus only on temperature. Temperature is just one of the triggers, although a well-ventilated environment in summer can be very effective in preventing rot. Therefore, ventilation is crucial. Make sure to open all the windows that can be opened!
2. Good humidity is beneficial for germination and growth, but it's not correct to think that the higher the humidity, the better. Humidity below 35% and above 65% is not necessarily good. As humidity increases, it becomes more conducive to the multiplication of mold. When humidity exceeds 65%, it is even more favorable for mold reproduction. In natural balcony cultivation, it's difficult to solve the problem of low humidity. During the day, humidity is low, and at night, it's high, creating a natural humidity difference. During the germination period (when temperatures are just warming up at the end of spring and beginning of summer), we can open the windows during the day for ventilation and close them at night to increase humidity. During the growing season (summer), we cannot do this. Don't worry too much about low humidity. Low humidity may make the leaves look dry and less attractive, and growth may be slower, but what's the big deal?
III. Sunlight and shading
"Grow herbs in the sun, flowers in the shade." Some might say I've got it backwards because books say, "Grow herbs in the shade, flowers in the sun." I haven't got it backwards. Books say that in a well-lit environment, it's easier to get flowers, while in a weaker light environment, the leaves are tender and green, looking very beautiful, but the leaf quality is thin and soft. What I'm saying is that in a well-lit environment, the leaf color may not be as tender and green, but it looks lush and green, with thick and hard leaves and better resistance. Growing flowers in a weaker light environment results in better flower color and quality.
I prefer to grow orchids in the sun, using full sunlight in spring, late autumn, and winter. In summer, I need to shade the plants. I use aluminum blinds, adjusting the angle so that sunlight can't enter the balcony after 9 a.m., ensuring maximum ventilation while shading.
IV. Planting Materials and Pots
Planting materials should be clean, drainable, breathable, and have some nutrients and water retention. Hard materials and fine materials should be adjusted according to your actual situation. For balcony cultivation, if you are growing a large number of orchids, I suggest using plastic pots for easy management and portability. Using black plastic pots in summer should prevent direct sunlight on the pot to avoid high pot temperatures, which can be a trigger for rot. You can wrap the side facing the sunlight with white paper.
V. About Pot Surfaces
Some people like to cover the pot surface with hard materials (such as植金石,烧红土), while others prefer using sphagnum moss (I'm one of them). There is no absolute good or bad choice for covering materials; it depends on each person's environment and management. Some say that using sphagnum moss will inevitably cause rot, but I haven't seen many pots rot. You shouldn't use personal preferences to affirm or deny something. Instead, think about why others do it. Speaking of which, isn't the whole process of growing orchids like this? If you only follow your likes and dislikes without thinking about why you're doing something, it's likely to be a dead-end, and it might be difficult for you to grow orchids well.
VI. Pest and Fungus Control
I personally rarely use fungicides (once at the beginning of summer), as I believe that while harmful fungi are killed, beneficial fungi are also killed. Some might ask, "What about the two types of rot if you don't use fungicides?" 1. Fungi are just one factor in the occurrence of the two types of rot, not the whole story; 2. It's not only chemicals that can kill fungi. Can't sunlight and water kill fungi as well? Pest control is very important, especially snails (which can make all your hard work over a year or even several years go to waste). It's necessary to kill pests at the end of spring, summer, and autumn. Generally, once a month is enough for me.
VII. Watering
There are dry cultivation (traditional method), wet cultivation, and some also propose润养. Anyway, most beginners' orchids are dried to death.
The above is the full content of "Can orchids be placed on the balcony for cultivation? It requires more effort," hoping it is helpful to green plant enthusiasts!