A Detailed Guide to Night Orchid Planting Methods and Cultivation Techniques

When people mention the night orchid, some may immediately think of the night-blooming cestrum; in fact, these are two different flowers. As the name suggests, the night orchid is a plant that blooms at night. The night orchid can not only be kept as a potted plant indoors to beautify the environment, but it is also edible. So what are the planting methods for the night orchid?

1. Site selection

The place where orchids are placed is also very important, as it will directly affect the growth and development of the orchids. Most orchids are placed in the open ground during the three seasons of spring, summer and autumn, and placed indoors in the cold winter.

2. Light conditions

There are four principles for growing orchids, namely “do not take them out in spring, do not expose them to the sun in summer, do not let them dry out in autumn, and do not keep them wet in winter”. The temperature in spring is not very stable, and leaving the house too early makes them very susceptible to cold weather, so it is safer to leave the house in early April. In summer, orchids should be placed in a shaded area, avoiding direct sunlight, and supported with scattered light. In autumn, orchids sprout and are pulled out, and the potting soil should maintain the corresponding humidity, avoiding excessive dryness.

3. Fertilization methods

During the growing season of orchids, apply decomposed bean cake water and horse-hoof residue water once every half month. If an appropriate amount of potassium dihydrogen phosphate is applied, the effect is even better, and do not fertilize in summer. When the temperature is too high, in addition to daily watering, spray multiple times, preferably with slightly acidic water. Frequently spraying the leaves with clean water can not only improve the growing environment, but also keep the leaves clean and reduce the chance of infection.

4. Watering methods

The roots of orchids are fleshy. In winter, the amount of water needed for dormancy is not much, and the soil in the pot is moist, so do not use too much water to avoid root and leaf diseases. Huayan says: “dry orchids, wet chrysanthemums”, and there is a certain truth to this. Generally speaking, it is best for orchids to be dry within 8 parts. When the orchid leaf buds have elongated to about 1.5 cm from June to July, a thin decomposed liquid fertilizer can be applied at 1-2 times the strength, and it is not suitable to use fertilizer here.