How to care for the Cattleya orchid in the summer
A comprehensive introduction to caring for the Cattleya orchid in the summer and the correct methods of maintaining it, following the editor's detailed explanation on the knowledge of green plants and flowers.
The Cattleya orchid is often considered a beautiful and noble flower for the New Year's Eve, and many people buy Cattleya orchids with large flower buds or blooming ones, which can be directly placed in the living room for appreciation.
However, after the flowers have bloomed, many people do not know how to care for them. After the New Year, many people discard the Cattleya orchids, thinking they will not bloom again and there's no point in keeping them. In fact, there are four essential elements to caring for Cattleya orchids, all of which are indispensable for the flowers to bloom in full force. Have you achieved these key points?
Firstly, good ventilation is necessary for caring for Cattleya orchids.
Many people think that ventilation in indoor plant care simply means opening the windows, but in fact, ventilation is about allowing air circulation. If there is no air circulation indoors, even with the windows open, the ventilation is not good. Caring for Cattleya orchids and other orchids requires particularly good ventilation. You can add an electric fan on the balcony, or if you're growing succulents, you can add a fan or an exhaust fan to allow air circulation. After watering, this helps evaporate excess water and carry away any surplus. If the air does not circulate, it's easy to develop a condition where the roots rot. Of course, if outdoor conditions are available, placing it in a semi-shaded area outside is also very good.
Secondly, it needs ample sunlight.
We know that most orchids prefer scattered light or a semi-shaded environment, such as placing them in a bright indoor area with sunlight. Orchids don't require much sunlight, with the exception of the black orchid, which is the most shade-tolerant and has the lowest light requirements. Other orchids also don't need to be exposed to direct sunlight. However, the leaves of the Cattleya orchid are relatively hard and wide, and it is very tolerant of sunlight. More sun exposure won't damage its leaves, but in the summer, it's necessary to shield it from the intense midday sun. Overexposure can also cause problems. Let it get sunlight before 10 am and after 4 pm in the summer. This will make its leaves grow straight and lush, enhancing its blooming performance. If the light is too weak, it can easily get soft rot or black rot, and the plant may become prone to falling over.
Thirdly, the soil should be breathable.
We know that the most important aspect of caring for orchids is that the potting soil must be loose and breathable. Most people use special orchid soil, and the Cattleya orchid is no exception. If the soil has poor breathability, it's hard to keep it alive. We can see that when repotting, the orchid soil is very loose and breathable, with a lot of granular soil added. So-called granular soil is made of things like red brick particles or peanut shells, which not only contain nutrients but also have excellent breathability.