Detailed Explanation of Key Points for Orchid Winter Care and Management

To care for and manage orchids well in winter, different management measures must be adopted according to the different varieties and characteristics of orchids.

First, bring them indoors for warmth. When winter comes, orchids kept outdoors must be moved promptly to a place indoors where sunlight can reach them. For people living in apartment buildings, it is even better to place the orchid pots on a sunny enclosed balcony. For orchids brought indoors to overwinter, the room temperature should be kept between 5-15°C. If the room temperature is too low, it will not serve the purpose of protecting against cold and keeping warm. If too high, the flower stems grow slowly and the flower buds develop poorly, which can easily cause already formed flower buds to shrivel and even die. Since Cymbidium goeringii is relatively cold-tolerant, it needs 3-4 weeks of low temperatures around 0°C to complete its spring dormancy and vernalization before it can bloom. Therefore, for Cymbidium goeringii to overwinter, controlling the room temperature between 3-8°C is most suitable.

Second, control fertilizer and increase light. Orchids generally do not need fertilizing during their winter dormancy. However, during the growing period of Cymbidium goeringii, a small amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can be sprayed on the leaves, using a 1500-fold dilution of 0.2%-0.3% monopotassium phosphate or compound trace elements. In addition, indoors, orchids can be given more light; if light is insufficient, supplemental lighting can be used. If orchids have sufficient light in winter, it is beneficial for their robust growth and abundant blooming the following year, and it can also improve the orchids' cold resistance during overwintering.

Third, control watering. "Not dry in summer and autumn, not wet in winter and spring" - this is the orchid-growing experience summarized by predecessors. In winter, orchids are mostly in a dormant state, with physiological activity almost at a standstill, so they need less water at this time; slightly moist potting soil is enough for them to overwinter safely. If the potting soil has indeed become very dry, then around noon on a clear, warm day, spray-water with water close to room temperature, just enough to make the potting soil slightly moist, and never use large amounts of water, to prevent the potting soil from freezing and to prevent the potting soil from being too wet and causing root rot.

Fourth, ventilate and exchange air in a timely manner. Orchids like warmth and also need air circulation, and they fear pollution from smoke, dust and foul air. In northern regions in winter, people often burn stoves indoors for heating, and there is often smoke, dust and foul air indoors. At this time, orchid pots should be kept away from the stove. At the same time, around noon on clear, warm days, doors and windows should be opened for ventilation, and orchid pots can also be taken to a wind-sheltered, sunny place outdoors to get some sunlight, so that the orchid plants can breathe fresh air.

For potted wild orchids, as time goes by, their rich fragrance will become fainter year by year. If through artificial adjustment, the orchids' environmental conditions are met as much as possible, their original delicate fragrance can be maintained.

1. Reasonably select flower pots and potting soil. Wild orchids grow for a long time in soil where the humus content generally accounts for more than 80%. However, the potting soil of commonly home-grown orchids has a humus content of only about 40%, which is unfavorable for strengthening the plants, forming buds, and blooming. Therefore, when selecting and preparing potting soil for home-grown orchids, it is advisable to use 3 parts edible mushroom residue, 3 parts dried cow dung, 2 parts dried chicken and duck manure, and 2 parts sandy garden soil, mix them well, and pile them to compost and decompose. This kind of culture soil generally has an organic humus content of more than 80%; it is fertile, loose, air-permeable, water-retentive and moisture-retaining, suitable for orchid growth, and beneficial for bud formation, blooming, and maintaining the orchid's rich fragrance.

2. Increase the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are important elements for orchids to grow roots, strengthen the plant, form buds, and produce fragrant nectar. Therefore, during the growing period of orchids, attention should be paid to watering with decomposed soybean cake water or sauce residue water once every half month; in winter and spring, frequently apply some plant ash to the orchids; in spring, summer, and autumn, spray 0.1% monopotassium phosphate 1-2 times a month, so that the orchid plants grow robustly, with thick, dark green leaves, strong stress resistance, and more accumulated nutrients, and produce fragrant nectar well, which has a significant effect on restoring and maintaining the orchid's rich fragrance.

3. Avoid the potting soil being too dry or too wet. Although orchids should greatly reduce water in winter, if the potting soil is too dry, it can easily cause the orchid's pseudobulbs to shrivel, and other tissues will be affected in metabolism due to excessive water loss, resulting in poor plant growth and causing leaf withering and even death. If the potting soil is too wet, its air permeability will be poor, which can easily cause root rot and poor growth of the plant, and the flowers that bloom will also lose their fragrance.

4. Raise the temperature. For Cymbidium kanran, Cymbidium sinense, and Cymbidium goeringii, which bloom in winter and spring, in order to maintain robust growth of the potted orchids and ensure safe overwintering, during the cold season, doors and windows should be closed well, keeping the indoor temperature at around 10°C during the day, and not lower than 5°C at night at least, to meet the temperature needed for their fragrance to be released.