How to care for orchids in November? Keep these care tips in mind

1. This month has two solar terms, Beginning of Winter (the 7th or 8th) and Minor Snow (the 22nd or 23rd), with an average monthly temperature of about 11°C. This month orchids can receive full sun without shading, which helps cultivate firm, strong plants, helps enhance the disease resistance of orchids, and helps produce early and large shoots next year. As mornings and evenings gradually turn chilly this month, early frost arrives one after another, so frost protection must be done well; at night, a shade net can be pulled over for cover. At the same time, strong cold waves may invade this month, bringing low-temperature frost, so pay attention to weather forecasts and take protective measures. If a strong cold wave strikes, they can be moved indoors ahead of time. 

2. Clean up the orchid room. Under normal circumstances, in the first ten days of this month, orchid gardens located behind the house can be moved indoors because they cannot get sunlight, while orchids located in front of the house can be moved indoors in the middle to late part of the month depending on the temperature. However, when a cold wave occurs, measures to move them indoors must be taken in advance to avoid damage. 

3. For orchids that have already been moved indoors, try to let them receive full light as much as possible, and pay attention to ventilation in the orchid room. When a cold wave comes, close the windows; once the weather clears and the temperature rises, open the windows for ventilation. No matter how cold the weather is, as long as it does not freeze indoors, the orchid room does not need heating. It is necessary to follow the growth patterns of orchids; appropriate low temperatures let orchids go dormant, which is beneficial to their normal growth, to cultivating strong plants, and to flowering. 

4. Orchids that have already been moved indoors should be allowed to go dormant for the winter and should not be disturbed artificially. Root fertilization is absolutely prohibited to avoid fertilizer damage and root rot. However, foliar spraying of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer or biological bacterial fertilizer can continue as usual, preferably in the morning. Because the temperature is low and evaporation is slow, the amount must not be too large, so as to avoid pouring into the leaf center and causing rot. 

5. Because the temperature in the orchid room is relatively high, pests and diseases are still causing damage. To eliminate hidden pest and disease problems, insecticide and sterilization still need to be carried out 2--3 times, also sprayed in the morning. 

6. In the first and middle ten days of this month, orchid plants are still growing, so the potting medium should not be too dry; "moist" is best. However, watering should be changed to sunny mornings, and the water temperature should be close to room temperature. Because orchids are dormant in winter, the amount of water should not be too large, and watering should not be too frequent, to prevent root rot. 

7. Indoor orchid rooms should be kept at a certain humidity, preferably above 60%, and should not be too dry, which would affect the orchid plants. Methods to maintain humidity include the following: first, frequently spray water on the indoor floor; second, set up a water pool under the orchid shelf; third, if conditions permit, install a fully automatic humidifier. 

8. This month, repotting and introducing new plants can still be done. Those who have not yet completed repotting should hurry to finish it in the first and middle ten days, which helps orchid plants recover and helps produce early and large shoots next year. 

9. Starting in December, the severe cold winter begins. Winter cold-protection preparations should be made well to welcome the arrival of the severe cold winter.