How to grow orchids? Key care techniques for golden October

We are about to welcome the golden month of the year——October. In October, many crops are harvested abundantly. But for many flowers and plants, October is a special month: with good care, flowers and plants can enter their peak growing period; with poor care, vigorous growth can turn weak. This article takes orchids as an example to focus on the key points of flower care techniques in October.

1. Let orchids bathe in sunlight

This month has two solar terms, Cold Dew and Frost's Descent. The sunlight is soft, and no shading is needed during the day. You can safely let orchids receive full-day sunlight, which is greatly beneficial for promoting orchid growth, enhancing the resistance of orchid plants, and helping them overwinter safely.

2. Increase the humidity of the orchid room

This month has little rainfall and relatively low air humidity, and the potting medium dries out very easily. Pay attention to increasing the air humidity of the orchid room to prevent orchid leaves from developing withered tips and scorched ends. In areas with good air quality, orchids can be left to receive autumn rain, but during continuous rainfall they still need to be sheltered. Never let orchid plants remain in the rain for a long time, to prevent waterlogging, root rot, and black spot disease on orchid leaves.

3. Watch for extreme weather and prevent frost

In late this month, if extreme weather occurs, early frost may arrive in Jiangnan, and temperatures in temperate zones and high-cold regions of the north may sometimes fall below 0°C. Those growing orchids outdoors should pay attention to weather forecasts and be ready at all times to prevent frost and freezing damage.

4. Combine repotting and division, and conduct orchid trading

Most orchid plants are mature this month, making it the best time of the year to introduce varieties and to repot, divide, and change potting medium. If mature orchid seedlings in a full pot need repotting, this work is best completed before the end of the month; if new shoots have not yet fully matured into plants, it is best to postpone repotting and division so they can continue growing, and wait until next spring to divide the pots. Introducing stock is the first step in orchid growing, and getting a good start and taking a solid first step are very important, but the following issues must be noted. First, strictly control quality and do not introduce diseased seedlings; second, strictly control the environment to improve the success rate; third, strictly check orchid friends to ensure the goods are genuine and the price is fair.

5. Thin buds to promote vigor

This month, most vigorous plants in full pots have produced buds. Buds should be thinned appropriately according to the principle of removing the weak and keeping the strong. Flower buds sent out by old plants should all be removed. For the excessive buds sent out by the leading shoots, keep only the strongest and remove the rest, so as to favor proper blooming next year.