How to plant orchids when they have flower buds

When you bring home an orchid with flower buds, it can still bloom. The key is to be especially careful during the process of cleaning, disinfecting, drying and potting after you bring it home. Try not to let the flower buds be submerged in water. After potting, also try to protect the flower buds, and do not let them freeze or be exposed to the sun. As for whether last year's flowers will bloom this year, that depends on your skill level. Generally speaking, young plants are somewhat more likely to bloom.

Orchids grown at home are generally potted, and the method is as follows:

1. For the potting soil, generally use the mountain soil sold on the market, especially black mountain soil, which is even better. If you use homemade growing medium, add 1/3 sand and mix it evenly. Choose earthenware pots, and the hole in the bottom of the pot should be somewhat larger. After 1-2 years, switch to purple clay pots, and the bottom of the pot should preferably have three or four holes. When potting, first place a piece of green netting over the hole in the bottom of the pot (to prevent ants and the like from getting in and making nests), then place 2-3 pieces of broken pot, set at an angle, and finally spread on charcoal or crushed coal cinders to a thickness of 1/3 of the pot's height. Next, spread on a layer of crushed soil particles, add mountain soil, then move the orchid into the pot and hold it upright so the root system spreads out. At this point, water thoroughly and place it in a warm, shaded spot for 15-20 days, after which it moves into routine care.

2. The environment where potted orchids are placed must be chosen well. First, it should face south or east; second, it should be open on all sides with high humidity; third, place it on a wooden stand or cement slab, etc., and do not put it on the ground.

3. During the high temperatures of summer, prevent exposure to strong sunlight. In early spring, late autumn and winter, a certain amount of light is needed. During thunderstorms or heavy rain, prevent the potting soil from becoming too wet, so as to avoid root rot. Potted orchids should be watered frequently, following the rule of "do not water when not dry, water when dry, alternate between dry and wet."

4. When fertilizing orchids, adopt the principle of light fertilizer applied frequently, and by all means avoid applying heavy fertilizer or unfermented raw fertilizer.

5. Potted orchids should have dead leaves or diseased leaves cut off at any time to keep the plant's shape attractive. Branches and leaves that grow poorly should be removed promptly so they do not consume nutrients and affect the plant's growth.

6. Potted orchids should be protected against freezing; before a freeze, move them indoors, and keep the room temperature at 1-2°C so they can overwinter safely.

How to divide the plants

Orchids are propagated by division. When there are too many plants in the pot and they are too crowded, affecting further growth, they can be divided. Division is best done in spring and autumn, once every 2-3 years or 3-4 years. Division should be done when the potting soil is slightly dry. First dig the whole plant out of the pot, remove the soil between the roots, wash clean with clear water and let dry for 2-3 hours, cut off rotten roots, use a sharp knife to cut at the pseudobulbs, gently pat the "root net" loose, straighten the root fibers, follow the grain of the root system, then cut or pull it apart, without damaging the tender roots.

When dividing, generally 3-5 clumps make one pot, planted in a triangular or mesh-eye shape.

How to select and buy

Around the Spring Festival, orchids are often available at flower markets. At this time, Cymbidium goeringii already has flower buds, some root systems are wrapped with Selaginella uncinata, and some roots are exposed. When selecting and buying, choose those with glossy, deep green leaves, fresh, tender and robust fleshy roots, and upright flower buds. Such orchids have strong vitality, and after potting they are easy to grow and develop and can bloom. If the leaves are withered and yellow, the roots are shriveled, and the flower buds are drooping, then the survival rate is low, or they will not be able to bloom after planting.