What are the key care points for orchids after the beginning of winter?

As the air temperature gradually drops, water supply for indoor potted orchids is very important; watering should be increased as appropriate, but at the same time attention should be paid to watering and moisture retention. If the humidity is too low, misting can be used to ensure the orchids have enough humidity and prevent the orchid leaves from developing withered tips. After the summer growing season, the nutrients in the pot are almost depleted, so before the beginning of winter, attention should be paid to fertilizing. The method is to apply organic fertilizer to the roots once every 10 days; spray nitrogen fertilizer on the leaves, also once every 10 days; the two can be alternated. While applying organic fertilizer to the roots, an appropriate amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can be mixed in to help promote flower bud formation.

　　

It is still a season when soft rot, stem rot and other diseases occur easily. Agricultural streptomycin, chlorothalonil, thiophanate-methyl and other pesticides can be used in rotation for spraying. Sunlight can enhance the orchid plants' ability to resist pests, diseases and severe cold, so at this stage the orchid plants should be given more sun.

　　

For orchid varieties such as sword-leaved cymbidium that bloom in summer and autumn, the flower stems should be cut off promptly after flowering and nutrients supplemented to strengthen the orchid plants. At the same time, the orchid leaves should be tidied up, and diseased leaves and dead leaves should be cut off.