Four Taboos to Avoid for Beginners Growing Orchids at Home

　　First taboo: using a large pot for a small plant The downside of using too large a pot is that there is more potting medium in the pot. If you water too little, the outside is wet but the inside is not, and the roots cannot get water. If you water too much, the outside dries but the inside does not, and the potting medium easily rots, and the roots rot along with it. You may think that more potting medium means more nutrients - wrong!

　　Second taboo: using too much fertilizer

Fertilizer can promote the growth, thickening and blooming of orchid plants, but do not assume that once fertilizer is applied it will produce the effect you want. For fertilizer to take effect, it must work together with other conditions and must also be used in the right amount. In short, use fertilizer on the dilute side, otherwise ask someone experienced for guidance. There are many examples of beginners using too much fertilizer, causing fertilizer burn and death.

　　Third taboo: loving to water too much

Beginners are all eager for their flowers to grow, and water as soon as they see the plant, afraid that there is not enough water for the orchid. I know this is love, but it is wrong. It only needs a moderate amount of water, and sometimes it also needs a dry spell. If you think you have given enough water but the leaves show signs of dehydration, then either the roots are damaged, or it has been exposed to too much wind (wind-dried), which means the air humidity is insufficient.

　　Fourth taboo: planting too deep

Planting the flower too deep is also a common problem for beginners. They think that only by burying the crown of the plant in the potting medium can it absorb nutrients, or they worry it will be unstable and so plant it deeper so the plant can stand firm. Both practices are wrong. The correct way is that the crown of the orchid plant should be exposed at the pot surface, to prevent stuffiness and rot as well as wet rot of new shoots. When first potting an orchid, if the plant is unstable, it should be fixed with string or a stake.