Main Points and Flower Burst Techniques for Caring for Autumn Dendrobium
This article introduces the basic knowledge of planting green plants and flowers for autumn dendrobium, with specific details as follows:
Mentioning dendrobium, friends who love health care should first think of Dendrobium officinale, while those who enjoy growing flowers will think of the autumn dendrobium with its long blooming period.
Introduction to Autumn Dendrobium
Also known as butterfly dendrobium, autumn dendrobium is an evergreen epiphytic herbaceous plant of the orchid family. The variety of autumn dendrobium is rich, with many flower colors that are very brilliant, and the blooming period is particularly long. It can be said that autumn dendrobium is "born for ornamental purposes." However, in fact, the stems of autumn dendrobium can also be used as medicine, which can generate saliva, nourish yin, clear heat, and benefit the stomach.
Main Points and Flower Burst Techniques for Caring for Autumn Dendrobium
If you want to grow autumn dendrobium well and extend the blooming period, it is recommended that you focus on the following 7 points during maintenance. By doing so, autumn dendrobium can maintain vigorous growth and bloom multiple times consecutively.
1. -- Sufficiently ventilated and water-retaining planting material --
Autumn dendrobium is an epiphytic plant that likes moisture but cannot tolerate waterlogging. For easy maintenance at home, the planting material is very important. Ordinary nutrient soil is difficult to grow well, so it is recommended to use special orchid soil or plant with materials such as water moss and fermented bark that have good water permeability.
2. -- The pot should not be too large --
The pot for potted autumn dendrobium should not be too large because the roots of autumn dendrobium are not resistant to moisture. If the pot is too large, the soil dry-wet cycle is slow, which can easily cause root suffocation, especially indoors where the ventilation is not good. A pot with a diameter of about 15 cm is enough.
There are no special requirements for the material of the pot. It is recommended to choose a pot with good breathability, such as a plastic root control pot or a clay pot.
3. -- Moderate sunlight without direct exposure --
Autumn dendrobium originates from a bright environment and has a certain tolerance to sunlight. Sufficient sunlight is more conducive to the robust growth of autumn dendrobium. At the same time, autumn dendrobium is also shade-tolerant and can grow well on indoor balconies and window sills, blooming normally.
Overall, autumn dendrobium has a strong adaptability to sunlight. If the lighting conditions are good, it can maintain relatively sufficient sunlight. In summer, it is necessary to provide shade to avoid direct sunlight. If there is insufficient sunlight at home, there is no need to worry. As long as the lighting is bright, it can still grow and bloom.
4. -- Watering appropriately without waterlogging --
Autumn dendrobium likes the planting material to be moist but not waterlogged. During routine maintenance, watering should be adjusted appropriately according to changes in the environment, climate, and seedling condition. Don't worry about how often to water. In general, it is appropriate to keep the planting material slightly moist. Before watering each time during the growing period, you can first touch the planting material. If you press your hand down and only feel a slight moisture, you can water thoroughly. In winter, when the temperature is low, you should reduce the amount of watering, and it is common to water only 1-2 times a month.
5. -- Good ventilation to avoid diseases --
Maintaining good ventilation in the growing environment is the key to preventing autumn dendrobium from getting root suffocation and diseases, especially for autumn dendrobium grown in enclosed balconies. It is recommended to place the pot higher, level with the window, for better ventilation.
If the environment is poorly ventilated, dendrobium is prone to diseases. Excess water after watering cannot be dissipated, and root suffocation can easily occur. If the ventilation conditions are limited, a circulating fan can be used to enhance air circulation.
6. -- Frequent application of thin fertilizer for more flowers --
If you want more new shoots and flowers for autumn dendrobium, fertilization is also very important during routine maintenance. During the growing period, you can apply a slow-release fertilizer specially for orchids regularly and maintain root irrigation with a general-purpose water-soluble fertilizer or nutrient solution every 15 days.
After the beginning of autumn, autumn dendrobium enters the flower bud formation stage. At this time, it is recommended to increase the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. You can apply monopotassium phosphate every 7-10 days. Sufficient phosphorus and potassium fertilizers can help autumn dendrobium produce more flower spikes.
The blooming period of autumn dendrobium is particularly long, with a single flower lasting up to a month. During the blooming period, it is recommended to apply monopotassium phosphate fertilizer every half month. This not only helps maintain the blooming period but also promotes autumn dendrobium to grow new flower spikes and continue blooming after the end of a flush of flowers.
7. -- Pay attention to insulation during the winter --
The cold resistance of autumn dendrobium is relatively poor. It requires maintaining a temperature of above 8 degrees to survive the winter safely and above 15 degrees to continue growing. If the temperature is below 5 degrees, it may get frostbite, and if the temperature is below 0 degrees, it may freeze to death. Therefore, it needs to be kept in a warm place indoors during the winter.
The above is the introduction to autumn dendrobium and the main points and flower burst techniques for caring for autumn dendrobium. Have green plant enthusiasts understood?