How to care for orchids in autumn? Key points for autumn orchid management and care
Orchids
Autumn has arrived. Do orchid growers know what to pay attention to during routine care? Today, based on the experience of fellow orchid growers, I have put together the following and would like to share it with everyone. These 6 points are essential for autumn orchid management:
1. Guard against typhoons
Every year in early autumn is a season with frequent typhoons, so special attention must be paid to preparing for typhoon prevention. It must never be taken lightly; otherwise, the consequences could be unimaginable.
2. Shade and protect from the sun
Autumn weather varies quite sharply, feeling like summer for a while and like winter for a while. Early autumn in particular is known for the "autumn tiger," and the weather at this time is mainly hot with high temperatures. On clear days it is no different from summer, so during this period, good shading and sun protection work must be done.
3. Water at the right time and prevent both dryness and excess moisture
Autumn weather is very dry; hence the saying that when the autumn wind rises, dust flies. So in autumn, the surface of orchid pots dries out very quickly. If the orchids are planted in clay pots with large-particle growing medium, they should be watered at the right time to prevent the orchids from dehydrating and drying out. If the orchids are grown in purple clay pots, plastic pots, and the like, then prevent the soil from becoming too wet and causing root rot, especially when the growing medium is fine and the orchid pot has poor air permeability. Watering and shading orchids in autumn are both very important. If the water is not given properly, it will cause the orchid roots to dry up and die; if too much water is given, the new orchid roots will suffer heat-related disease, causing incalculable losses. Therefore, watering is key when growing orchids.
4. Repot and divide in time
Once the Autumn Equinox passes, the weather begins to gradually turn cooler. At this time, orchids can be repotted and divided. The advantage of repotting (turning the pot) when the weather is cool is that the old pseudobulbs of the orchid plants that have been separated and cut off sprout new growth points much faster than the old pseudobulbs of orchids repotted in winter, and the sprouting rate is also higher, with a higher survival rate for the new shoots. However, when dividing at this time, special attention must be paid to disinfecting the wounds to prevent pathogens from invading while the opportunity presents itself.
5. Prevent, treat, and eliminate pests and diseases
Autumn is a season with a high incidence of orchid pests and diseases, so preventing and treating orchid pests and diseases in autumn is very important. If care is improper, once pests or diseases occur, the orchid plants will scorch at the tips (scorched tips); in severe cases, it will cause the plants to die.
6. Move indoors in time
On rainy days in autumn, the temperature drops quite noticeably, especially after late autumn, when the temperature sometimes drops to 10°C. When cold air moves south, the temperature can drop even lower. At this time, if orchid growers still keep their orchids outdoors, they should promptly move the orchids indoors (because below 10°C, orchids basically stop growing). When the temperature is low, remember to close the windows at night.