Shen Yuanru's "Orchids" Part 27: Monthly Work for Orchid Cultivation - January. Based on frost and snow conditions in past years, this month marks the last frost and first snow. As strong cold waves continue to invade, this is the coldest period of outdoor temperatures in the year. In the Jiangnan region, except for a very few years when temperatures drop below minus 10°C, the monthly average temperature is mostly around 4°C...
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Shen Yuanru's "Orchids" Part 27: Monthly Work for Orchid Cultivation. January. Based on frost and snow conditions in past years, this month marks the last frost and first snow. As strong cold waves continue to invade, this is the coldest period of outdoor temperatures in the year. In the Jiangnan region, except for a very few years when temperatures drop below minus 10°C, the monthly average temperature is mostly around 4°C. To keep potted orchids growing robustly indoors and overwintering safely, doors and windows must be kept tightly closed at all times, and cotton curtains hung to prevent cold air from entering. Strengthen indoor insulation work; during the day, the room temperature should ideally be maintained at around 10°C, and at night it should not fall below 5°C. If the sky is clear and the wind is light, and there is no dripping water or freezing outdoors, remove all cotton curtains from the south-facing windows, leave the lower windows ajar around noon to exchange fresh air for about half an hour, then close them immediately. If individual pots are found to have dry soil, water them at noon. Potted orchids with flower buds should be placed in a sunny location. February. Although the beginning of this month marks the Start of Spring, cold snaps still occur from time to time. The monthly average temperature rises by 1-2°C compared to last month, and the minimum temperature is still around minus 3°C, so attention must still be paid to heating and insulation work. On clear days without rain or snow, after 9 a.m., the south-facing windows can be half-opened (if the south-facing window is a multi-panel row window, only one panel may be opened). For certain spring orchids such as early-blooming varieties and New Year orchids, before the buds are ready to open, they should receive more sunlight to promote vivid coloring. If a single pot produces three or four flower buds, remove the weak ones and keep one or two strong ones, but this also depends on whether the positions are appropriate. Frequently turn the pots with flowers to change direction, guiding the buds to open precisely among the spread orchid leaves. As the flower buds gradually elongate, keep the potting soil moist. On clear, slightly warm days, place potted orchids whose leaves have accumulated much dust in the sunlight and spray-wash them to remove dirt and grime. At any time, record spring orchid varieties that bloom early, and in conjunction with indoor temperature and humidity conditions, analyze the reasons. Day by day, pay attention to the changes in depth, thickness, and intensity of the vein patterns, sand halos, and colors on each layer of bud sheaths during the elongation of spring orchid buds, thereby gaining experience in identifying "newly collected wild flowers" through examining sheaths, distinguishing colors, and recognizing sand halos and the evolution of vein patterns. At the end of the month, begin preparing the outdoor orchid-growing site. March. The temperature gradually warms with spring, and the monthly average temperature is 7-8°C. Spring orchids bloom successively; select varieties for display and arrange the exhibition venue. After the "Awakening of Insects" solar term, move non-flowering spring orchids and cymbidiums outdoors for cultivation, though they still need curtain protection at night. If a cold snap occurs, promptly move them back indoors for care. After the "Spring Equinox," cymbidiums with buds can be moved outdoors for cultivation; if the temperature drops too low, promptly move them back to prevent the buds from becoming stunted. Spring orchids bloom fully. In the late part of the month, prepare to mix soil for repotting. Check and repair shade tools. Carry out the first fertilization for orchids without buds (mainly dilute fertilizer). April. This month, outdoor temperatures gradually rise and warm up, and frost and snow have ceased. The monthly average temperature is around 14°C, with occasional light rain and frequent southwest winds. Pay attention to maintaining even dryness and moisture. If there is prolonged rain, move flowering cymbidiums under a cloth canopy for care. From the middle of the month, begin shade-curtain work. This month is the most suitable period for repotting and changing soil, and for division and propagation. May. Temperatures gradually rise, with a monthly average of around 18°C. From late in the month, put up shade curtains in the morning. Pay more attention to disease prevention and pest control. New shoots are about to break through the soil and grow, so topdressing can be carried out. June. The average temperature this month is around 24°C, and the weather gradually becomes hot. This is the plum rain season, with much rain and damp heat, alternating overcast and sunny, so attention should be paid at all times to putting up and taking down curtains. Due to the relatively high humidity, Selaginella uncinata grows especially luxuriantly and needs its first thinning and cutting. New shoots successively break through the soil and grow; at any time pay attention to the color and transformation of the shoot tips of each variety, accumulating experience and knowledge for identifying varieties. During this period, spring orchids should have more shade, while cymbidiums and others can have slightly more sun, which benefits the sturdy growth of new plants. Carry out topdressing. July. The climate enters the high-temperature season, with a monthly average temperature of around 29°C. Strengthen shading and switch to dense curtains. Put up curtains at dawn, and only take them down when the orchid platform is no longer exposed to sunlight. Strengthen ventilation and cooling work. At the end of this month, during typhoon season, strengthen leaf protection. In addition to maintaining even moisture in the potting soil, spray water on the leaves multiple times. Summer and autumn orchids bloom successively; prepare for display. August. The temperature in the first part of this month is similar to last month, with a monthly average of around 26°C. Still within typhoon season, with frequent showers. Pay attention to the safety of the framework and reinforce it securely. There are occasional spells of muggy heat, so ventilation and shading work still need to be strengthened. Pay attention to watering, disease prevention, and pest control. Flower buds of all types of orchids emerge through the soil surface. New roots and new plants have all grown. Cracks often appear on the pot surface from swelling; fill them with soil at any time. September. The climate gradually turns autumnal, with a monthly average temperature of around 24°C. For daily shading, curtains can be put up later and taken down earlier. By the "White Dew" period, except when occasional "osmanthus steaming" conditions require shading, the shading work is generally basically finished by this time (this should also depend on the surrounding environment of the orchid-growing site). If the climate suddenly turns dry and hot, commonly known as "water chestnut dryness," watering should be strengthened to keep the potting soil moist; otherwise, under such conditions, the plants are most easily damaged (in mild cases the flower buds dry up and wither, in severe cases the roots and leaves wither). Continue good disease prevention and pest control work. Carry out the last topdressing for some weak orchid plants. The latter part of this month falls within the "Autumn Equinox" period, which is another most suitable period in the year for repotting and division propagation. October. The average temperature this month is around 18°C, and the weather gradually turns cool with autumn. Watering can be determined by the dryness or moisture of the potting soil. Trim Selaginella uncinata on the pot surface. Remove weak autumn buds. If autumn shoots appear, a light topdressing may be given once more. Expose to more sunlight. November. The average temperature for the whole month is around 11°C, and there is gradually a chill in the mornings and evenings, so attention should be paid to frost protection. Clear out the orchid room and prepare equipment for moving plants indoors. Various types of orchids with flowers and small plants cultivated from pseudobulbs should be moved to the corridor or windowsill area at the end of the month. At the end of the month, flowering cold orchids and New Year orchids are moved indoors for care. December. This month enters the cold winter, and according to frost, snow, and freeze damage conditions in the Wuxi area over the past twenty years, these all occur at this time. Before the "Major Snow" solar term, all potted orchids must be moved indoors. According to how cold the weather is, open and close windows appropriately. Pay attention to indoor cold protection and insulation work. By comparing each pot of orchid plants' new growth and number of flower buds over the years, as well as their growth vigor, summarize the year's orchid-growing experience. (The above applies to the Jiangnan region of our country.)
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