How to grow orchids so they smell sweeter? A detailed guide to fragrance-boosting techniques

1. Orchids prefer partial shade, but they must not be placed in dark, lightless places. Otherwise, because they cannot receive light for photosynthesis over a long period, they grow poorly and have no way to produce organic matter to supply the nectar glands for brewing fragrant nectar, so even if they bloom, they will not be fragrant. They should be placed in a spot with strong light but with shade, and in winter they should especially be placed in a sunny spot, with the pot turned once every half month so that all sides receive light.

2. Repot in time to keep the potting soil fertile. Apart from stopping fertilizer during the intense heat, severe cold, and before and after the flowering period, apply a thin phosphorus-based fertilizer solution once every half month, so that the orchids have the ability to supply the nectar glands for making nectar and to accumulate and store it.

3. Orchids have relatively poor cold tolerance. Cymbidium goeringii and Cymbidium faberi must be kept above 3°C, while Cymbidium ensifolium and Cymbidium kanran must be kept above 10°C. Otherwise, they are easily damaged by cold, which affects flowering, or they may barely bloom but the nectar freezes and cannot release fragrance.

4. In greenhouses, flower rooms, or shade sheds where many orchids are placed or planted, care should be taken to isolate different varieties and not mix them in planting or placement, so as to avoid mixing pollen and changing the original good fragrance-releasing performance. Orchids should be kept away from toilets, kitchens, and other places with a high possibility of contamination, so as to avoid contamination causing disorder and decline in nectar gland function and affecting fragrance release.

5. Orchids are prone to bacterial diseases such as anthracnose, leaf spot, and black rot, and viral diseases such as black spot and necrosis. They are also susceptible to attack by scale insects, red spiders, whiteflies, and others. If not promptly controlled and treated, the orchids will be riddled with disease and injury, to the point that they lack the strength to accumulate nutrients to supply nectar production.