How to care for orchids in July? Keep this care guide handy
1. This month has two solar terms, Minor Heat (July 7 or 8) and Major Heat (July 23 or 24), entering the high-temperature period, with an average monthly temperature above 30°C. It is the hottest month of the year, with more than two-thirds of the days being clear days with the scorching sun overhead and unbearable heat. Therefore, the most important task this month is to strengthen shading, using...
1. This month has two solar terms, Minor Heat (July 7 or 8) and Major Heat (July 23 or 24), entering the high-temperature period, with an average monthly temperature above 30°C. It is the hottest month of the year, with more than two-thirds of the days being clear days with the scorching sun overhead and unbearable heat. Therefore, the most important task this month is to strengthen shading, using about 70% shade netting, and the curtain can only be drawn back when the sunlight no longer reaches the orchid leaves.
2. Because the weather is extremely hot, ventilation and cooling work must be strengthened. In stuffy and hot weather, exhaust fans, mini electric fans and the like can be used to create a gentle breeze and promote air circulation. At the same time, sprinkle water on the ground frequently to lower the temperature and prevent the extreme heat from damaging the orchids. Environmental humidity should reach 60%-70% as much as possible.
3. If it is dry and hot with little rain, the potting soil easily dries out completely. Pay attention to keeping the potting soil moist, water thoroughly, and increase the frequency. If the potting soil has already dried completely, the soaking method can be used to solve the problem. However, the potting soil must not remain overly wet for a long time, to prevent root rot, stem rot, soft rot and rotten shoots. Water management is the key task this month.
4. This month is hot, so root application of organic or inorganic fertilizer is prohibited. For fertilizing, foliar spraying is better. One-thousandth urea plus one-thousandth monopotassium phosphate and biological bacterial fertilizer can be used alternately to supplement nutrients, promote vigorous growth, and grow larger and stronger seedlings, laying the foundation for sprouting and flowering next year. Generally speaking, spray in the evening and wash the leaves the next morning, to prevent fertilizer from accumulating on the leaf surface and causing seedling damage after high-temperature sun exposure.
5. Various pests and diseases are most likely to occur this month, so insecticide and sterilization work cannot be relaxed. Apply pesticides on cool evenings. The best pesticide for treating scale insects is chloroacetic acid, the best for eliminating red spider mites is dicofol, and for killing aphids use aphid-killing pesticide. The pesticide solution should not be too concentrated to prevent pesticide damage. Snails and slugs can be caught at night. For sterilization and disease prevention, spraying carbendazim, thiophanate-methyl, chlorothalonil and Peilüsu is better.
6. For orchid plants that have just been potted, manage them well: first, do not fertilize the roots; second, do not expose them to the sun; third, do not place them in a hot, poorly ventilated place, to avoid losses.
7. If typhoons and heavy rain occur, do a good job of typhoon prevention, prevent typhoons from blowing over pots and breaking orchid leaves. Take rain-shelter measures to prevent heavy rain from causing losses.
8. Taboos: This month is hot, so do not repot, change soil or divide plants. Even if introduction is needed, it is best to wait until around the Autumn Equinox.