How to care for orchids in early spring? Master these care techniques

Early spring is the full bloom period for Cymbidium sinense and Cymbidium goeringii, and also the budding period for Cymbidium ensifolium and Cymbidium kanran. Early spring has many cloudy and rainy days, with large temperature fluctuations, and cold waves that tend to recur, which is extremely unfavorable for orchid growth. If poorly managed at this time, it can lead to root rot and bud rot in orchids, and can even cause flower rot in Cymbidium sinense and Cymbidium goeringii that are in full bloom. Therefore, early spring care for orchids is very important.

　　

Given the unpredictable weather in early spring, characterized by cold, cloudy and rainy conditions, Cymbidium sinense and Cymbidium goeringii in full bloom must be kept indoors to protect the flower stems and blooms, because rainy and cold, changeable weather will shorten the blooming period, and watering orchids with cold rain will cause the flowers to rot. For orchids such as Cymbidium ensifolium and Cymbidium kanran, they can be placed outdoors, but care must be taken to ensure drainage and prevent waterlogging in the pots; it is best to set up plastic sheeting above the pots to shelter them from rain.

　　

In early spring, all fertilizer should be avoided for orchids. At this time the potting soil should be kept slightly moist; otherwise, the new shoots of Cymbidium ensifolium and Cymbidium kanran will rot and die, commonly known as "black death," where the tips of orchid shoots rot and turn dark brown, extending until the entire shoot withers and dies. If spring shoots rot and die, it will seriously affect the growth, propagation and flowering of the entire orchid plant that year. As the saying goes: strong spring shoots, weak summer shoots, autumn shoots don't count. If spring shoots rot and die, you will not get vigorous new seedlings that year.

　　

Spring's cloudy weather is a peak period for various pests and diseases. Snails, aphids, scale insects, cutworms, mole crickets and other pests begin to harm orchid plants and new shoots; cloudy, rainy and humid weather will worsen the occurrence of brown spot disease. Therefore, regularly spray 65% thiophanate or 50% carbendazim at 1000 times dilution; keep the area around the orchid pots clean, scatter quicklime to prevent pests from entering the pots through the pot walls and drainage holes at the bottom, and frequently check the orchid pots for pests and diseases. For Cymbidium sinense and Cymbidium goeringii whose blooming period has passed, fertilizer should be supplemented in time, but avoid applying concentrated fertilizer.