How to Solve the Site Problem of Growing Orchids on a Balcony

Growing orchids is an elegant artistic enjoyment. Besides appreciating their beautiful forms and fragrance, it can also cultivate the mind, enrich one's spiritual life, and benefit both body and mind. With the feeling of "growing orchidsand growing in orchids," since 1986, I have grown more than 150 pots of Chineseorchidson a 4-square-meter north-facing balcony on the sixth floor. Through continuously learning from others' experience and summarizing my own practical insights, theorchidsI now grow are doing quite well. Every summer, thanks to effective measures such as humidifying and cooling, there are basically nopests or diseases, the leaves rarely have black spots, and they bloom quite abundantly. When in bloom, the whole house is filled with fragrance; when not in bloom, the elegant leaf forms are soothing to the heart and mind. Some people say, "Orchidsare nice, but very hard to grow." Actually, that is not the case. As long as you understand the growth characteristics of orchids, know their requirements for sunlight, ventilation, temperature, humidity, water, and fertilizer, create a site suitable for orchid growth, and pay attention tocultivationmanagement, it is not difficult to grow orchids well. Below, based only on my personal experience, I will discuss how to create a site suitable for orchid growth on a balcony. Orchids originally grow in cool, moist valleys with circulating air. To grow orchids on a balcony, the first thing is to transform the surrounding environment and create a special site similar to a valley that can accommodate orchid growth. The requirements for a balcony orchid-growing site are: 1. Appropriate lighting. Whether sunlight is appropriate affects whether orchids grow robustly or weakly. Although orchids are shade plants, they still need appropriate sunlight to carry out photosynthesis, produce nutrients, strengthen roots and leaves, promote sprouting and flowering, and resist insect damage. Without sunlight, although they will not wither and die, sprouting and flowering will be affected. But orchids must not be exposed to blazing sunlight, especiallyCymbidium sinense, which fears strong light most. Scorching exposure can upset the balance between water absorption and transpiration, burning orchid leaves and causing dry leaf tips. An east-facing balcony can receive morning sunlight, which is most ideal for growing orchids. South-facing and west-facing balconies often receive excessively strong sunlight; if there is no high wall to block it, shade netting or other methods must be used to weaken the sunlight and avoid direct sunlight; in summer, except before 8 a.m., 90% shading must be added at other times, and west-facing exposure especially must be covered; in winter, except before 10 a.m., it is best to add 50% shading at other times. North-facing balconies receive less sunlight, so consider not adding shade netting.Cymbidium sinensehas relatively low light requirements; about two hours of morning light, or placing the potted orchids in a bright place, together with timely application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer and control of water, can also promote timely flowering. 2. Pay attention to ventilation. Orchids originally grow in valleys surrounded by woods, with fresh, circulating air, so poor ventilation is the greatest taboo when growing orchids. Sometimes orchid leaves are found covered with black spots and diseases and insects breed, often caused by poor ventilation at the site. When growing orchids on a balcony, in summer an exhaust fan should generally be installed for forced ventilation to keep the air circulating at the site and promote the metabolism of the orchid plants; otherwise,pests and diseasesare likely to occur. 3. Increase air humidity. The ancients once said, "dry orchids, wet chrysanthemums," which means the soil in the orchid pot should not be too wet, indicating that orchids have a certain drought tolerance, not referring to the air humidity at the site. The air humidity most suitable for orchid growth is a relative humidity of about 80%. The air on high-rise balconies is relatively dry, and the humidity cannot reach this requirement. Therefore, if conditions permit, it is best to install an automatic spray humidifier. A simple method is: install multiple plastic water-spray nozzles and let the water mist disperse into the air at the site, but avoid spraying the orchid leaves wet for too long; or lay absorbent sponges on the ground; or place water containers around the orchid pots; or use part of the ground to build a small pool, put in charcoal or sponges, and let the water slowly evaporate; all of these can increase the air humidity at the site. 4. Control temperature.Cymbidium sinense's optimal growing temperature is 25 degrees. In summer it should not exceed 32 degrees, and in winter it should not be lower than 10 degrees. If this requirement cannot be met, effective measures must be taken. In summer, use forced exhaust ventilation, or place the potted orchids where the southeast wind blows in, and at the same time wet the orchid leaves morning and evening every day. In winter, curtains should be hung to avoid cold wind; if the number is not large, it is best to place the potted orchids indoors. 5. Prevent various kinds of pollution. Growing orchids on urban balconies inevitably involves the effects of polluted smoke, polluted air, polluted water, and polluted matter on orchid growth. In addition to watering to wash the leaves and spraying medicine, the best prevention method is to build an orchid shed, with the roof made of transparent fiberboard or colorless glass, and the surroundings made of black or white shade netting; if glass window doors can be installed so that they can be opened at any time to regulate temperature and humidity, that would be even better. If a balcony orchid shed can meet the above requirements, together with scientificcultivationmanagement, the orchids grown will certainly grow delightfully and fill the garden with the spirit of spring. Yang Qinzhong