White Orchid (Michelia alba) Blooming Season Care Methods and Precautions

I. Plenty of Light

White orchids (Michelia alba) prefer a growing environment with abundant light, and light must not be less than 6 hours per day. If the white orchid is kept in a shaded place, it will only grow leaves without blooming, or bloom very little. But during the hot, high-temperature "dog days" of summer, moderate shading is needed; generally, from 12:00 to 16:00 each day, avoid exposure to the scorching sun. At this time, not only should water be sprayed on the plant to cool it down, but the ground should also be watered or sprayed to lower the temperature and dissipate heat, artificially creating a suitable environment.

II. Proper Watering

When watering white orchids (Michelia alba), you must be very careful; excessive or insufficient watering will both restrict root growth or even cause root rot, and subsequently the leaves will turn yellow. In summer's high temperatures, always pay attention to whether the potting soil is moist; besides watering in the morning and evening, also spray water on the leaves and ground to increase air humidity. If tap water is used to water white orchids, also be careful to prevent soil alkalization; if leaf yellowing is found, apply ferrous sulfate solution, or water the roots with 0.7%-0.8% vinegar water. You can also spray the leaves with 0.3%-0.4% vinegar solution, which also works very well. In the rainy spring season, water must not accumulate in the pot, otherwise the roots will rot.

III. Reasonable Fertilization

White orchids (Michelia alba) fairly like fertilizer; timely and regular fertilization to replenish nutrients is needed so they can bloom more, with larger flowers and fragrant scent. Besides applying sufficient base fertilizer when potting, during the blooming period from May to October, apply an organic liquid fertilizer mainly of phosphorus and potassium once every 5-7 days, such as decomposed cake fertilizer water. The principle of fertilization is to apply thin fertilizer frequently. At the same time, carry out foliar fertilization once every 7-10 days, using 0.5% plant growth promoter and 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate for leaf spraying.

IV. Leaf Removal and Pinching

The time to move white orchids (Michelia alba) outdoors is between the Spring Equinox and Qingming; choose an overcast or cloudy day to move them out. After moving them out, use 2-3 days to let the potted flowers adapt to the outdoor environment, then begin removing the old leaves of the plant, keeping only a few tender leaves at the branch tips, to encourage new shoots. Then, after each batch of flowers finishes blooming, remove a small number of old leaves to promote new branch growth and flower bud formation. During the growth period of white orchids, frequent pinching is needed to control apical dominance and encourage more side branches.

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When Does the White Orchid Bloom and What Are the Care Methods During the White Orchid Blooming Period

The white orchid (Michelia alba) is a famous ornamental tree for gardens and is mostly planted as a street tree. It is cultivated extensively in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan and other provinces and regions in China. So when does the white orchid bloom? What are the care methods during the white orchid blooming period?

When does the white orchid bloom:

The white orchid (Michelia alba) blooms every year in summer and autumn. The farther south, the earlier the blooming period; in Shenzhen it appears around midsummer, and the blooming period is relatively long, lasting almost 1 month. White magnolia blooms from April to September, cinnabar magnolia blooms from April to May, purple magnolia blooms from April to July, and round-leaf magnolia blooms in June.

How to make white orchids bloom more:

1. Leaf removal and pinching: Remove leaves once before and after moving outdoors, removing all old leaves and keeping only a few leaves at the branch tips, to encourage new branches and leaves and promote flower bud formation. During the growth period, pinching needs to be done 3 times: the first pinching after the flowers fade, to promote new buds and more flower buds; afterward, two more pinchings should be done at intervals, so that blooming is lush and gorgeous, with flowers continuously opening.

2. Timely fertilization: During the full blooming period from early May to the end of September, follow the principle of applying thin fertilizer frequently and strengthen fertilizer and water management. Apply decomposed soybean cake fertilizer liquid once every 3-5 days, and apply alum fertilizer water once every 7-10 days, alternating them. Before blooming, also apply 1-2 additional applications of quick-acting phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, which can keep the white orchid blooming continuously.

3. Reasonable watering: The potting soil should not be too wet. In spring, watering should not be too much; keeping the potting soil moist is suitable. During the summer growth period, prevent dryness to avoid the leaves scorching and drying. In autumn, watering should be slightly more than in spring, and each watering should soak through. At the end of autumn, the number of waterings should gradually decrease. In the rainy season, drainage is needed to prevent root rot and yellow leaves.

Care methods during the white orchid blooming period:

1. Light should be soft: White orchids (Michelia alba) like light. In summer, they can be placed under a shaded flower shed; open the curtain in the morning to let them receive sunlight, and after 9 o'clock cover them well to shade the sunlight, especially avoiding direct exposure to strong light at noon.

2. Water frequently: White orchids (Michelia alba) like moisture and should be watered frequently in summer; it is best to water thoroughly once in the morning and once in the evening each day. On days with high temperatures, also spray water twice each in the morning and afternoon on the leaves and surrounding area to increase humidity. Because their roots are fleshy roots and fear water accumulation, on cloudy and rainy days they should be watered less or not at all. If exposed to rain, promptly pay attention to drainage in the pot to prevent the roots from rotting due to soaking, which would cause the whole plant to die. Because the white orchid is a typical acid-loving flower and fears alkalinity, and water in the north is relatively alkaline, long-term use can easily cause leaves to turn yellow and fall off, so when watering it is best to alternately use stored rainwater, or water with ferrous sulfate solution.

3. Fertilizer should be generous: During the growth period, white orchids (Michelia alba) like heavy fertilizer and heavy water; not only should watering be done well, but fertilizer should also be applied well. For fertilization, liquid fertilizer is best. Mix horse hoof slices, sesame paste and ferrous sulfate in a ratio of 1:1:0.5, soak in water for one week, and after fermentation, dilute with clean water and apply once every 5 days for better results; the flowers and leaves will be broad and thick, and the flowers richly fragrant.

4. Prevent pests well: In summer, white orchids (Michelia alba) are most vulnerable to red spider mites. Usually spray more water on the leaf surface and plant to increase humidity and prevent pest outbreaks. If an outbreak occurs and the number is small, use a sprayer to spray clean water to wash the leaves; if the number of pests is large, spray 1000 times diluted 20% dicofol emulsifiable concentrate to kill the pests.

Care of White Orchids During the Full Blooming Period