Why You Should Shield the Cattleya Orchid from Light for a Few Days
Today, the editor will elaborate on the knowledge about the Cattleya orchid's requirement to be shielded from light for a few days, and will share the detailed content next.
Why You Should Shield the Cattleya Orchid from Light for a Few Days
The Cattleya orchid should be shielded from light for about 7 days. After the orchid exhibits the arrow-clipping phenomenon, it is best to find tin foil or opaque black plastic bags, tie the leaves of the plant with soft strings on both sides, then cover them with tin foil or plastic bags, and move them to a dark room for care. After about 7 days, the flower spike will be able to push out from the leaves.
1. -- About 7 Days --
To solve the arrow-clipping problem of the Cattleya orchid, we need to shield it from light for about 7 days, temporarily cutting off the external light, allowing the leaves to become loose and soft, enabling the flower spike to grow upwards normally, breaking free from being夹住 by the leaves. This process is not long but requires complete darkness.
2. -- Tying the Plant --
Before we shield the plant from light, we need to do a little bit of preparation. First, tie the leaves of the plant with a soft rope, making sure to place a piece of cardboard under the rope to prevent it from hurting the leaves. Then, spread the leaves to both sides and secure them, which can help the flower spike to loosen and facilitate its development.
3. -- Light Shielding Treatment --
The light shielding treatment requires preparing opaque black plastic bags or large pieces of tin foil as barriers. Wrap the already tied plant loosely with these materials, making sure not to wrap it too tightly. One layer of tin foil is sufficient, while three layers of plastic bags are usually needed. After wrapping, move the plant to a dark room for care.
4. -- Precautions --
When the Cattleya orchid shows the arrow-clipping phenomenon, using light shielding methods can indeed help the flower spike to quickly break free from the leaves and grow into a straight flower spike. However, we need to be careful not to damage the flower spike during this light shielding process, and also try to avoid damaging too many leaves, as even if the plant flowers, its ornamental value will greatly decrease.
The above content introduces the specific details about why the Cattleya orchid needs to be shielded from light for a few days. We hope you will like it!