How to grow orchids in winter

Indoor insulation

As winter approaches and the weather gets colder, orchids placed outdoors are easily affected by cold currents and must be moved indoors to a sunny place for maintenance in a timely manner.

If you live in an apartment building, it is best to place the orchid pot on an enclosed balcony. This will ensure that the orchid has sufficient sunlight, which is extremely beneficial for the budding and flowering of the orchid.

After entering the room, the room temperature should be controlled between 5~15℃, which can be met by most households. But the room temperature should not be too high, as it will cause the flower stems to grow slowly and the flower buds to develop poorly.

Control fat and increase brightness

Orchids generally do not need to be fertilized during their hibernation period.

There is a root fungus symbiosis at the roots of orchids, and generally the pots need to be repotted every other year. The soil is rich in nutrients, so there is no need to repot. But for spring orchids, they will grow in winter and need to be supplemented with nutrients in time by spraying a small amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers on the leaves.

Control watering

"It should not be dry in summer and autumn, and it should not be wet in winter and spring." This is the experience of orchid cultivation summarized by our predecessors. Orchids are mostly dormant in winter and require less water, so the soil in the pot only needs to be slightly moist.

If the soil in the pot is really dry, you can spray it with water at room temperature around noon on a sunny day to keep the soil slightly moist. It is best to use rainwater or snow water to water orchids. If you use tap water, you can let it dry for two days before using.

Ventilation

Orchids prefer a warm, humid environment with good air circulation. In the north, when indoor stoves are used for heating, the pots should be kept away from the fire. Around noon on a sunny day, the windows should be opened for ventilation, or the pots should be placed outdoors in a windproof, sunny place.

For orchids kept on enclosed balconies, air circulation must be ensured and windows should be opened frequently. However, if the temperature drops suddenly, close the windows immediately to prevent the orchids from freezing.

Disease and pest prevention

The air is dry in winter and pests and diseases are less likely to occur. However, if the humidity is high when maintaining indoors, this may not be the case and you need to spray the medicine accordingly in time. During routine maintenance, protective spraying should also be carried out. Use Bordeaux liquid to spray the potting soil and the ground around the pot to reduce the occurrence of diseases and pests in the second year.