Orchid division in autumn: 5 precautions for repotting weak seedlings, which new orchid growers can learn from

Only when the orchid seedling's root system is in good condition and it is actively growing does it have good absorption capacity. With good roots, fertilizing helps the orchid grow better and promotes growth. If the roots are very weak and you fertilize blindly, it will only make things worse and may create a vicious cycle, causing an otherwise healthy orchid to die. Hence the saying: "To grow orchids, first grow the roots." If dividing a weak seedling, pay attention to a few points:

Orchid division

1. Lean cultivation: you can use the "revival soil" from repotting for planting, because the fertilizer elements in this soil are relatively mild, and it contains orchid fungi, so it is very suitable for small, weak orchid seedlings. No fertilizer, grow in shade. (Note the three "nots": light not too strong, ventilation not too much, planting medium not too wet)

2. If a weak seedling has few roots but is not diseased, you can use a healthy growing ordinary flower orchid as a companion plant. Orchids like to grow in groups and dislike being separated, so a weak orchid can borrow the physiological vitality of a healthy orchid, which supplies orchid fungi and repairs the root system, thereby allowing it to rejuvenate. After rejuvenation, a small amount of foliar fertilizer can be applied.

3. According to the saying "dry pot grows roots," when potting a weak plant, the moisture should be drier than for a normally developing orchid, the planting medium should have strong drainage, and larger particles should be used for planting.

Orchid division

4. Light should be on the shadier side, using "dry pot, shady cultivation" to balance yin and yang. Orchids grow at night by relying on photosynthesis during the day to supply cell division and proliferation at night. Shady cultivation can reduce transpiration, thereby reducing the burden on the root system and promoting rooting and the healing of damaged roots.

5. Ventilation. Gentle breeze is preferable. If weak, diseased small seedlings are placed under relatively strong cross-ventilation, the orchid seedlings can dehydrate and dry out, causing death.

Orchid division

The above are precautions for repotting weak plants, and newly purchased plants (just-bought plants) can also refer to them. But pay attention to disinfection and temporarily isolate them from the good plants at home for a period (about ten days). Only after observation shows they are normal can they be placed on the shelf and grown together with other established plants.