How should orchids overwintered outdoors be managed so they can make it through winter safely?

With the development of the orchid industry, there are many orchid lovers and growers, and quite a few people grow orchids outdoors all over the country. However, some growers, especially those in remote rural areas, are constrained by economic conditions and can only use makeshift methods to build sheds (frames) to shade their orchids. Depending on the size of the growing area, the shade sheds (frames) and shade netting used differ. It is best to choose a vertical-post type with crossbeams to build the shed (frame), and covering the frame surface with tree branches and brooms is most suitable. When laying the branches and brooms, cover according to the required percentage of sunlight. Although this method uses more materials and more labor, it can last 5 to 6 years before being replaced once. The advantage of this kind of frame is that the covering of branches and brooms isolates the orchids from direct contact with the air. Even in frosty weather, no matter how heavy the frost, the orchid leaves will not be damaged by frost. If no shed (frame) is used and a heavy bright frost occurs, with the frost period lasting more than a month, it will scorch the leaf tips and ruin the leaves, and further kill entire clumps. If it then encounters the coldest days of winter during the snow-freezing season, the orchids will be both struck by frost and frozen by snow and ice. Then the damage to the orchids will be even greater. The orchid leaves will wither, scorch and shrivel, and the flower buds will suffer frost damage; after the flower buds suffer frost damage, they will wither and die, and the flowering rate will be greatly reduced.

The second is to choose the method of using bamboo strips to form an arched frame covered with plastic film: this method is a bit more troublesome. Choose fine bamboo and split it into strips 3-4 cm wide. The length of the strips depends on the width of the orchid box. Insert both ends of the bamboo strips into the soil on both sides of the orchid box, then according to the length of the orchid box, place bamboo strips or not-too-thick bamboo poles on the arched frame and fix them with thin rope, then cover with plastic film equal in length to the orchid box. The parts hanging down on both sides should be secured to prevent the wind from blowing them open, and gaps can be left on all four sides for air circulation, which can also be fixed with rope. With this kind of plastic film shed, no matter how heavy the frost and snow are, the orchids will not suffer frost damage. Throughout the entire frost and snow season, according to the ratio of rainy days to sunny days, and according to how dry the soil is, the film can be lifted to water, and according to the length of time covered, the film can be lifted to let the orchids get fresh air in the open and enjoy the warm winter sun. This method is more complex and labor-intensive, and requires a patient attitude. Once a year.

For this reason, those who choose the second method should set up the arched frame early. When heavy bright frost is expected, cover with plastic film to prevent frost. And when the freezing coldest days of winter and the snow-freezing season arrive, avoid being in a rush and caught unprepared, letting the orchids freeze!

The author uses both methods. The three orchid boxes built with fire bricks on top of the wing-room single-story house use the vertical-post shed type, while the ones at the garden edge use the bamboo-strip arched shed frame covered with plastic film method. As soon as the frosty days after Frost's Descent begin, depending on the frost conditions, cover the orchids with plastic film to prevent freezing and keep them warm. Therefore, in recent years the orchid seedlings and leaves have not suffered frost or freezing damage, the orchid seedlings and leaves are emerald green, fresh and elegant, growing vigorously, with strong seedlings and beautiful flower colors!