How often should you water Mo Lan (Black Orchid)?
This article provides an explanation for how often to water Mo Lan and the key points of caring for Mo Lan throughout the four seasons. The editor will now provide a detailed answer for you.
Let facts speak and practical experience guide you in enjoying flowers. The interval between watering Mo Lan and other orchids cannot be measured in days, as the weather, cultivation environment, orchid growing medium, and facilities vary from region to region and person to person, resulting in different levels of moisture in the potting medium. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the watering frequency based on the local climate and the actual moisture level of the potting medium.
First, watering in spring. In early spring, although temperatures have warmed up in various regions, most indoor orchids cannot be moved outside yet. Especially in the northern regions, Mo Lan that has overwintered indoors will have leaf buds gradually sprouting after flowering. At this time, you can cut off the flower spike and, based on the actual moisture level of the potting medium, water the Mo Lan if it is relatively dry. If the potting medium two centimeters below the surface is still moist, do not water it. Instead, you can spray water on the surface of the potting medium to increase its moisture. You can delay watering for a while.
Second, watering in summer. After Qingming (Tomb-sweeping Day), Mo Lan should be moved outside to a well-ventilated and shaded area. In addition to having appropriate shading conditions, watering should also be considered. Due to good ventilation and high temperatures, the evaporation of moisture in the potting medium increases. It is necessary to decide on watering based on the material of the pot, the size and composition of the potting medium particles, and the moisture level of the medium. Typically, plastic or ceramic pots have poor breathability and good water retention, making the potting medium less likely to dry out. Smaller particles and materials with strong water absorption will also dry slower, while the opposite is true. This is how you determine the watering frequency based on pot material and medium. Also, consider the actual weather conditions; if it rains, the humidity of the ground air is very high, so there is no need to water. When necessary, set up shelters to prevent the orchid from being continuously soaked by water.
Third, watering in autumn. In autumn, temperatures are relatively high, but mornings and evenings are still cool. Autumn is the period when Mo Lan starts to develop flower buds, so it is important not to water too frequently to avoid rotting of the buds. Other precautions can be combined with the management of summer. Fourth, watering in winter. With low temperatures in winter, Mo Lan should have reduced watering after being moved indoors. Generally, water thoroughly when first moving in, as the temperature is still relatively high. As temperatures drop, the moisture content in the potting medium should not be too high, usually maintaining between 30 to 40%, which is a state of moist but not wet. When necessary, you can increase the humidity of the environment where the orchids are placed, allowing the roots to absorb some moisture from the humid air. In summary, the frequency of watering Mo Lan should be determined based on the weather, the orchid's environment, and the actual moisture level of the potting medium, not by the length of days.
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The above sharing on how often to water Mo Lan and the key points of caring for Mo Lan throughout the four seasons hopes to provide you with some help after reading this article!