Key points for summer care of Phalaenopsis orchids: do these well and they will get through summer safely

Phalaenopsis orchids like to live in a warm, humid, well-ventilated semi-shaded environment. The most suitable growing temperature is 22-28°C; temperatures too high or too low will both adversely affect their growth. In summer, the weather is hot and dry, the air temperature often exceeds 32°C, air circulation is poor, and direct sunlight is strong, which is extremely unfavorable to the growth of Phalaenopsis orchids, so attention must be paid to their summer care.

If Phalaenopsis orchids are not managed properly in summer, the following problems tend to occur: 1. Leaves age and drop off; the lower leaves of some plants decline during the summer, and from late summer to autumn they gradually yellow and fall.

2. Pests and diseases are serious, especially when the weather is hot, the relative air humidity is too high, there is no wind, and temperatures are high, which easily leads to diseases such as soft rot, brown spot, and viruses.

Therefore, in summer, care of Phalaenopsis orchids should be strengthened, especially the issue of cooling. The following measures can be used:

1. Shading. Add a double layer of shade netting where the Phalaenopsis orchids are placed to reduce light, which can achieve a good cooling effect (a drop of 2°C to 4°C) and also prevent the sun from scorching the leaves.

2. Sprinkling water on the ground and flooding with water. In summer, the air temperature is very high, but the water just drawn from a well is actually very cold, around 16°C. Therefore, sprinkling or flooding with water can produce an obvious cooling effect.

3. Spraying water on the leaf surface cools fastest, but the effect lasts the shortest time.

4. Ventilation. Drill square holes of 40 cm × 40 cm in the wall at a height of 70 cm above the ground, every 5 m apart, to increase ventilation and reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases; when the temperature is above 25°C, turn on fans to strengthen air circulation, which benefits plant growth.

Summer care of Phalaenopsis orchids

When the average temperature reaches above 18°C, the growth activity of Phalaenopsis orchids is at its most vigorous, so summer is the period of their fastest growth. Phalaenopsis orchids grow new leaves from the center of the plant, so you should always observe whether new leaves are emerging. This is because whether new leaves appear is closely related to the timing of fertilizer application.

1. Placement location

Because Phalaenopsis orchids grow naturally in environments without strong light, they do not like intense sunlight. Therefore, when cultivating them in a greenhouse, use two layers of shade netting, with a shading rate of about 70-80%.

When cultivating them indoors, they should also be placed in a well-ventilated spot such as near a door or window, and two layers of curtains should be used to weaken the sunlight. Because of the high temperatures in summer, when growing them in a greenhouse, special attention must be paid to ventilation and air exchange; exhaust fans can be used to help air circulate.

If they are placed outdoors for cultivation, they still should not be exposed to rain. But orchids grown on tree-fern boards are not greatly affected by a little rain. Phalaenopsis orchids like a growing environment with high daytime temperatures and falling nighttime temperatures. Taiwan, China has an island climate along the Pacific coast, and summer nights are still very hot and muggy, which easily weakens the plants, so special attention must be paid during cultivation.

2. Watering

In summer, with high temperatures, water must not accumulate on the leaves, to avoid leaf scorch. During the plum rain period, keep things as dry as possible and do not give too much water. In midsummer it dries out easily, so as soon as the surface of the growing medium is dry, water it to help growth. Sometimes spray the leaf surface to raise humidity.

Even if pots of the same size are used for planting, the number of leaves and the amount of roots in each pot differ, so when watering, take these circumstances into account and water each pot individually.

3. Fertilizer

Summer is the growing season for Phalaenopsis orchids, so the application of fertilizer must never be neglected. Use a slightly dilute liquid fertilizer at 1500-2000 times dilution, once a week.

In early summer, when the leaves begin to grow, apply a solid organic fertilizer made from a mixture of oil cake and bone meal, once a month, but do not use it in midsummer.

4. Pest and disease control

Phalaenopsis orchids like a light breeze; if it is even slightly muggy, they will suffer from soft rot and black spot disease. Therefore, in this season, spray fungicide for prevention and control. The best time to spray is when new leaves begin to grow.

The above is the article on summer care of Phalaenopsis orchids. Phalaenopsis orchids like to live in a warm, humid, well-ventilated semi-shaded environment. The most suitable growing temperature is 22-28°C; temperatures too high or too low will both adversely affect their growth. In summer, the weather is hot and dry, the air temperature often exceeds 32°C, air circulation is poor, and direct sunlight is strong, which is extremely unfavorable to the growth of Phalaenopsis orchids.

Key points for summer care and management of white Phalaenopsis orchids

White Phalaenopsis orchids. Phalaenopsis orchids have broad, large leaves, with one to several arching flower stems, and large flowers shaped like butterflies. Their flower form is elegant, making them a treasure among tropical orchids, and they have the reputation of being the “queen of orchids.”

Phalaenopsis orchids come in many colors. In summer, it is advisable to choose white, as white is a cool color that looks refreshing and elegant, calm and tranquil.

Care points:

Phalaenopsis orchids like shade, and the room temperature must not be too high. They like a ventilated, moist environment, require air humidity to be kept at around 60%-80% at all times, and need air circulation, preferably with a light breeze. They dislike dry, hot winds, and there must not be too much standing water in the pot.

When choosing Phalaenopsis orchids in summer, you can focus on two points: first, there should be many flower buds; second, the petals should be thick. Only in this way can the flowering period be maintained for a relatively long time.