How to prevent orchid root rot? These gardening basics must be remembered

      Orchids, although they like moisture, their fleshy root system is afraid of waterlogging; excessive moisture or water accumulation from rain can easily cause root rot and trigger black spot disease. Therefore,growing orchidsthe potting soil should not be too wet normally. In winter,orchidsare in a dormant or slow-growing stage, so the potting soil should be on the dry side; spring and early summer areorchidsimportant periods for rooting and leaf growth, so the potting soil should be kept slightly moist; but long-term excessive moisture can also easily cause root rot, leading to yellowing leaves and even death. This is because excess water causes water accumulation in the soil, poor aeration, and insufficient oxygen, which hinders root respiration and causes the root system to turn black and rot. During the plum rain or heavy rain season, potted orchids must be protected from these hazards, because with prolonged rain and high moisture, black spots are most likely to appear on new leaves, and the flower buds often show a “rotten sheath” phenomenon, affecting flowering and ornamental value. However, if the potting soil is too dry, it can easily cause the pseudobulbs to shrivel or other tissues to lose water and affect metabolism, which can also lead to weak tissues and poor plant growth. In autumn, the potting soil should be on the moist side to help leaf growth and proper flowering the following year. Therefore,orchid growersshould understand the trick of “not wet in winter, not dry in autumn.”        The above explains the different water requirements of orchids at different stages, so the amount of watering should be strictly controlled according to these requirements. At the same time, improper fertilization of orchids can also easily cause root rot; for example, applying too much fertilizer, fertilizer that is too concentrated, or pouring liquid fertilizer into the leaf sheaths will all have adverse effects on orchid growth. When fertilizing, the amount of fertilizer should also be increased or decreased according to the amount of watering, so that they grow in harmony.