August Orchid Cultivation Key Points and Edible Fungus Disease Control Methods
August Orchid Cultivation Key Points
1. This month has two solar terms: Start of Autumn (the 7th or 8th) and End of Heat (the 23rd or 24th). The average monthly temperature is similar to last month, still around 29°C. The weather is extremely hot, making it the second high-temperature month of the year. The most important work is still shading. During extreme heat, still use dense shade cloth. If the temperature is below 28°C, sparse shade cloth can be used. Do not let orchids be exposed to direct sunlight. For indoor orchids, pay attention to ventilation and air circulation, and prevent heatstroke and keep cool.
2. After the Start of Autumn, air humidity decreases, and water supply becomes very important. Watering should be increased as appropriate, and firmly remember the ancient warning that "orchids do not dry out in autumn." Especially during prolonged drought with no rain, pay attention to watering to maintain moisture. If humidity is too low, misting can be used to ensure the humidity of the orchid room, prevent orchid leaves from drying at the tips, and ensure vigorous orchid growth.
3. After the orchid plants have gone through the high temperatures and extreme heat of summer, the nutrients in the pots are heavily depleted. From the middle to late part of this month, organic fertilizer should be applied to the roots, once every ten days. The organic fertilizer stock solution should be insecticide- and bactericide-treated before dilution. Foliar feeding should also be done once every ten days. The two can be done alternately. This month's fertilization should appropriately increase the phosphorus and potassium components to promote flower bud formation, while also ensuring the growth of autumn shoots and the development of robust early spring shoots. However, it must be applied thinly, not as a concentrated fertilizer. The timing is still in the evening of a clear day after the potting medium in the orchid pot has dried somewhat and the temperature is below 30°C. On the second morning, "revival water" needs to be applied. (For relevant precautions on fertilization, please visit yxlhy.com to see my humble work.)<浅谈兰花施肥>)
4. Typhoons occasionally strike this month, so typhoon prevention work must be done well to prevent typhoons from overturning orchid pots and breaking orchid leaves. After a typhoon passes, there is windless, extremely hot weather, so promptly repair the shade netting damaged by the typhoon to prevent orchids from being scorched by the intense sun.
5. This month, fungi and insects are extremely active, so pest control and disease prevention work must be done well. For pest control, use the right remedy for the right problem: use omethoate for scale insects, use dicofol for red spiders, and use Mida (a specialized snail-killing pesticide; carbofuran is ineffective) for snails and slugs. Turn on lights less at night, because light attracts moths to lay eggs and also attracts mole crickets and scarab beetles to burrow into pots and cause damage. This month is still a high-incidence month for soft rot, stem rot, and other diseases. Disinfection medication must not be relaxed. Agricultural streptomycin, chlorothalonil, thiophanate-methyl, and other fungicides should be used in rotation. Not only should orchid leaves be sprayed, but the entire orchid garden should also be sprayed with disinfectant. Pest control and sterilization work should still be carried out in the evening of a clear day when the sun is about to set.
6. Autumn sunlight can enhance the stiffness of orchid plants, strengthen their ability to resist pests and diseases, and strengthen their ability to withstand severe cold. Therefore, after the Start of Autumn, orchid plants should gradually receive more sunlight, but they should somewhat avoid the high temperatures of the "autumn tiger." When the temperature drops below 28°C, sparse shade cloth can be used to let light through, and the shade netting can be opened in the morning and evening.
7. This month, Cymbidium ensifolium is in full bloom. After flowering, promptly cut off the flower stems and replenish nutrients to strengthen the orchid plants. At the same time, tidy up the orchid leaves and cut off diseased leaves to avoid infecting other orchid plants. Dead leaves and scorched leaf tips must also be cut off, making the orchid plants bright and beautiful and pleasing to the eye.
8. Taboos: This month, repotting, division, and introduction of new plants are still not suitable. Orchid plants divided this month have wounds that are prone to infection by pathogens, posing great risk, and old plants easily collapse. (Source: Nongbo Network)