How to care for orchids in winter? The key care points explained clearly at once

In winter, strengthening theorchidmanagement is the key to theorchid'slush growth and bloomingin the coming year. The ancients'orchid growingexperience is "three parts planting, seven parts management." To manageorchidswell in winter, different management methods should be adopted according to theorchid'sdifferent varieties. Based on my years oforchid growingexperience, to help orchids overwinter safely, strengthening care in the four aspects of water, fertilizer, temperature and ventilation is especially important.

Water: grasp the principle of "not dry in summer and autumn, not wet in winter and spring." This is the valuable experience our predecessors summarized for growing orchids well. In winter orchids enter dormancy and no longer grow, so watering once a week is enough. (Except for Cymbidium goeringii, Cymbidium kanran and Cymbidium sinense.) For water, natural water or melted snow water is best; do not water directly with tap water. (If tap water is used, it should be placed in a water storage container for 24 hours before use.) When watering, pour along the edges of the pot so that it gradually penetrates toward the roots; avoid pouring onto the leaves.Cymbidium sinenseException) For water, natural water or melted snow water is best; do not water directly with tap water. (If tap water must be used, it should be stored in a water container for 24 hours before use.) When watering, pour the water around the edges of the flower pot so that it gradually soaks through to the flower roots; do not pour it onto the leaves.

Fertilizer: Orchids have no fibrous roots; their fleshy roots have symbiotic root fungi. Generally speaking, if orchids are repotted with fresh soil every year and the soil contains enough nutrients, there is no need to fertilize at all. Even if repotted every 2 to 3 years, during winter dormancy they no longer grow, so there is even less need to fertilize. If fertilized in winter, the orchid roots will turn black and may even rot (except for Cymbidium goeringii and Cymbidium sinense during their growing period).

Temperature: When winter comes, orchids kept outdoors should be moved indoors or into an enclosed balcony. Orchids should often be moved outdoors (best around noon) so they can absorb fresh air and receive sunlight. Orchids placed on an enclosed balcony should also have the windows opened often to allow air circulation, and be moved back in the evening to prevent cold air from entering at night.