Orchids are delicate and hard to grow? Keep these care tips in mind
Orchids can be considered one of the "Four Treasures of the Study" in the world of flowers; their elegance has been loved by scholars and literati since ancient times. There are many varieties of orchids with different flower colors, and there are always one or two pots that deeply win the hearts of flower lovers. But orchids are a very delicate plant, and during the care process, these key points must be kept in mind.
The water used to water orchids also requires attention; the tap water used every day contains chemical substances such as disinfectants. Using tap water to directly water orchids is not a good choice, and over time, it will also make the soil alkaline. It is best to store some rainwater for later use. Tap water needs to be left to stand for two or three days and exposed to the sun before use.
Orchids prefer slightly acidic soil; to increase soil acidity, you can water with ferrous sulfate, using it about once a month. Rice washing water is also a good thing for watering flowers; after fermenting it, water with a little from time to time. But it is not recommended to water continuously; once every 5 days is enough. For a few days after watering with rice washing water, water only with clear water, so that residual nutrients are flushed out with the water.
The care environment for orchids needs shade and ventilation. Any strong light is not allowed; keeping them indoors for care is enough. If placed by a windowsill, you also need to set up a shade net for it, and the shading rate must reach above 70%. It is strongly forbidden to place them on an open-air balcony or grow them outdoors.
Because they are grown indoors, ventilation must be ensured, otherwise the leaves are prone to turning yellow. Prune the branches and leaves in time, and this is also one part of maintaining ventilation. After the flowers fade, cut the flower stems from the base to reduce nutrient loss. Old, weak, diseased, and damaged leaves should also be cut off in time, which both helps ventilation and looks better.
When growing orchids, pay attention to moisture retention and cold protection. Although orchids are cared for in a shady place, during high summer temperatures they are basically watered once a day, and when it is not too hot, once every two days. Orchids are not drought-tolerant, so you cannot wait until the soil is dry before watering. Orchids are afraid of cold, so winter is not suitable for outdoor care; indoors in winter, the most important thing to pay attention to is maintaining ventilation.