How to care for orchids in hot weather? Master these care techniques

1. Protection from strong light

In China, summer starts in late May and ends in late September, lasting as long as 4 months. Before the summer solstice, sunlight is abundant, which helps to some extent in increasing the rate of new shoot production. After the summer solstice, sunlight becomes very intense, and shading is essential; otherwise, it will cause necrosis of orchid leaf cells and result in sunburn. Shade netting can be used for shading. In May to June, use a single layer of netting with about 60% shading. In July to August, double-layer shade netting must be used; the upper layer is best if it is movable, so it can be adjusted accordingly based on cloudy or clear weather and light intensity. Outdoor orchid plants can also be moved indoors, and orchid plants on a southwest-facing balcony can be moved to a northeast-facing balcony to avoid light.

2. Protection from high temperatures

The suitable growth temperature for orchids is 15-30°C. They grow fastest at 25-30°C and can grow slowly at 30-32°C. When the temperature rises to 33-37°C, they enter a dormant state; above 37°C, orchid plants may die from stuffy heat. Methods for cooling down: First, place a tray, water basin, or water trough under the orchid pots. The water trough can be made of galvanized iron sheet, with a bottom width of 20 cm and a surrounding height of 10 cm. Place bricks in the trough, fill it with clean water, and set the orchid pots on top. Second, spray the orchid plants and sprinkle water on the ground multiple times a day. Third, lay plastic film in the orchid shed and lay absorbent carpets in the orchid room and on the balcony. Fourth, hang wet cloth curtains on the doors and windows of the orchid room and orchid shed.

3. Protection from stuffy heat

In midsummer, heat waves roll in and the oppressive heat is intense, posing a severe test for orchid plants. If corresponding measures are not taken, some orchid plants will suffocate and die from the stuffy air. Solutions: (1) Inside the orchid shed, orchid room, or enclosed balcony, use plastic film or nylon cloth to make a water storage pool. (2) Use electric fans and automatic spray humidifiers in the orchid shed; use an air conditioner in the orchid room. (3) For ground-level orchid growing, prop bricks under the pots and increase the distance between pots; open doors and windows at night in the orchid shed and orchid room to allow air circulation. (4) Around noon, spray water onto the shade netting so that the water becomes rain-like or mist-like below the net, which can quickly lower the temperature and reduce the threat of stuffy heat.

4. Protection from strong winds

That is, typhoons in the south and dry hot winds in the north. Before each typhoon arrives, there are several days of humid and stuffy weather, and orchids are prone to physiological or invasive diseases. Cooling measures should be intensified in time, ventilation should be increased, and the air should be kept fresh and cool. Dry hot winds mostly occur after the beginning of autumn, when the weather is stuffy and the air is dry, and severe disasters such as "autumn tiger" and "autumn drought" often appear at the same time. During this period, the weather is unusually clear, the light is especially strong, and the air is very dry, which is extremely unfavorable to orchid plants. The density of the shade netting must be increased, and the orchid plants should be sprayed frequently and the ground sprinkled with water to cool down and regulate air humidity.