How should orchids be grown to bloom better?
Linyi Lunan Orchid Garden: For an orchid to have a good flower form requires a certain amount of blooming technique. It is not that if your plant produces a flower bud, it will definitely open with a good flower form. Sometimes I personally feel that the technique of blooming is even harder than the technique of growing the plants. After ten years of growing orchids, I will summarize some experiences on getting a good flower form, and I am willing to discuss them with fellow orchid growers: 1. Grow...
Author: Linyi Lunan Orchid Garden
For an orchid to have a good flower form requires a certain amount of blooming technique. It is not that if your plant produces a flower bud, it will definitely open with a good flower form. Sometimes I personally feel that the technique of blooming is even harder than the technique of growing the plants. After ten years of growing orchids, I will summarize some experiences on getting a good flower form, and I am willing to discuss them with fellow orchid growers:
1. Grow strong plants, preferably with multiple pseudobulbs connected together. When the plants are strong, the nutrients are sufficient, and the flowers produced are large, with broad and thick petals and good structure.
2. Sufficient vernalization. Spring orchids and cymbidiums (Huilan) can only stop vegetative growth and switch to reproductive growth after undergoing vernalization in a low-temperature environment of 0 to 10 degrees for 1 to 2 months. Only then can the flower buds accumulate enough nutrients and lay the foundation for good blooming.
3. Temperature control during blooming is very important. Generally, when the flower buds begin to push up the scape, the temperature must be well controlled. It should not be too high, nor too low, and should not alternate between cold and hot. It is best to maintain a temperature difference of 10 degrees from top to bottom. (For Cymbidium goeringii, it is best to keep it within the range of 5-15°C.)
4. Humidity during blooming is crucial. When the flower buds begin to push up the scape, try to maintain relatively high humidity, so that the flower scape can be tall and the flower color can be round, smooth, and vivid.