How to care for orchids in winter so they survive the cold safely

In winter, how to step up care fororchidsis the key to their vigorous growth and abundant blooming in theorchidscoming year. To care for and manageorchidswell in winter, you must adopt different management measures according to theorchids'different varieties and characteristics. Based on my experience of growingorchidsin recent years, I believe that to care for and manageorchidswell through the winter, the following care and management measures must be taken: 1. Bring them indoors for warmth. When winter comes, the weather grows colder, and cold snaps often strike, so orchids kept outdoors must be moved indoors promptly to a spot that gets sun; if you live in an apartment building, it is even better to place the orchid pots on a sunny enclosed balcony. With this orientation, they receive sunlight morning and evening, which is extremely favorable for theorchids'growth, bud formation and blooming. For orchids brought indoors to overwinter, the room temperature should be kept between 5-15°C. If the room temperature is too low, it will not protect against the cold and keep them warm. If too high, it will also affect the orchids' dormancy. But for overwinteringCymbidium kanranandCymbidium sinense, the room temperature should be kept a little higher, but must not exceed 15°C. If the room temperature is too high, the flower stems grow slowly, the flower buds develop poorly, and the formed buds are prone to shrinking and even dying. For the more cold-tolerantCymbidium goeringii, a low temperature of about 0°C for 3-4 weeks is needed to complete the effects of spring dormancy and vernalization, and only then canCymbidium goeringiibloom. Therefore, forCymbidium goeringiioverwintering, keeping the room temperature between 3-8°C is most suitable. 2. Control watering. "Not dry in summer and autumn, not wet in winter and spring" is the experience ingrowing orchidssummed up by our predecessors. In winter, orchids are mostly in a dormant state, their physiological activity almost stops, and at this time they need less water; the potting soil only needs to be slightly moist for them to overwinter safely. If the potting soil has indeed become very dry, then around noon on a clear, warm day, spray-water it with water at the same or a similar temperature to the room, just until the potting soil is slightly moist, and never water heavily, to prevent the potting soil from freezing or becoming too wet and rotting the roots. Rain or snow water is best for watering; do not use freshly drawn tap water. If there is no rain or snow water and tap water must be used, it must be left to stand and air for one or two days until the chlorine has dissipated before watering. When watering, pour it in from the edge of the pot so that it gradually flows to the flower roots, until the roots are moist. Never water the leaves or the orchid crown. 3. Control fertilizer and increase light. Orchids generally do not need fertilizing during dormancy. Orchid roots are thick and long with no fibrous roots, and root fungi live symbiotically inside them. Generally, when orchids are repotted and the soil changed every one or two years, the soil contains sufficient nutrients, so no fertilizing at all is needed in winter. But for Cymbidium goeringii andCymbidium kanranduring the growing period, a little phosphorus-potassium fertilizer can be sprayed on the leaves, using 1500 times 0.2% monopotassium phosphate or compound trace elements. In addition, indoors, orchids can be given more light; if the light is insufficient, it can be supplemented with lamplight. If orchids have sufficient light in winter, it benefits their robust growth and abundant blooming the following year, and also improves the orchids' cold resistance when overwintering. 4. Ventilate and change the air in time. Orchids like warmth and also need air circulation, and they fear pollution from smoke, dust and stale air. In northern regions, people often burn stoves indoors for warmth, and the rooms contain a lot of smoky, dusty, stale air. At this time, the orchid pots should be kept far from the stove. Also, around noon on clear, warm days, open the doors and windows to ventilate and change the air, or carry the pots outdoors to a wind-sheltered, sunny spot to get some sunlight, so the orchid plants can absorb fresh air. For orchids placed on an enclosed balcony, the windows and doors should also be opened to let the air circulate. When the temperature drops, close the doors and windows immediately and carry the pots back indoors to avoid cold damage to the orchid plants. 5. Preventpests and diseases. If orchids overwinter indoors or on an enclosed balcony, when the temperature and humidity are slightly high, once pest or disease damage is found, spray the appropriate pesticide promptly. Protective spraying should also be done routinely, for example spraying the potting soil, orchid plants and the surrounding environment with Bordeaux mixture, which can prevent or reduce the occurrence ofpests and diseases