How to Grow a Dragon's Whisker Orchid? Care Methods and Precautions
Dragon's Whisker Orchid, also known as Pingtung Bulbophyllum, is a relatively easy plant to grow. Grown indoors, it can improve the air environment and also has certain antibacterial properties, making it very popular. So how exactly should you grow a Dragon's Whisker Orchid? Follow along with the editor to learn the details.
Care Methods for the Dragon's Whisker Orchid
1. Temperature and Light
The Dragon's Whisker Orchid prefers a warm environment and grows vigorously at temperatures above 20°C. In winter, the indoor temperature must not fall below 10°C, otherwise yellowing and leaf drop will occur. The Dragon's Whisker Orchid is afraid of direct strong light and is suited to growing in an environment with fairly strong scattered light. However, be sure to let it absorb some sunlight appropriately to maintain leaf thickness. If it is grown in a dark environment for a long time, the stems will become leggy, the internodes long, thin and weak, the plant shape sparse and sprawling, and the leaves thin, pale and lacking luster. So in spring, summer and autumn, you can place it in a well-ventilated spot with partial sun, while in winter place it in a sunny spot. In summer, guard against strong light and scorching sun to avoid burning the leaves.
2. Watering and Fertilizing
During normal care, water moderately and keep the potting soil alternating between dry and moist. Never let it dry out completely, otherwise the leaves will turn yellow. But overwatering, which causes water to accumulate at the bottom of the pot, can also lead to root rot and death, and in winter watering must be controlled even more. Before planting, it is best to mix slow-release fertilizers such as oil cake and bone meal into the potting soil as a base fertilizer. During the growing season, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer once every half month. Do not over-apply nitrogen fertilizer; increase the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers.
3. Pest and Disease Control
The main pests and diseases of the Dragon's Whisker Orchid are root rot, leaf spot and nematodes. Root rot can be controlled by drenching the roots with a 3% carbofuran granule formulation, while for leaf spot, first cut off the diseased spots or diseased leaves, then spray with a 500-fold dilution of 70% mancozeb wettable powder for control.
2. Precautions
When watering the Dragon's Whisker Orchid, it is best to use clean tap water, but before watering, first let it sit for 24 hours. This prevents the chlorine in the tap water from harming the plant. For fertilizing, it is best to follow the principle of light, frequent applications. Diluted liquid fertilizer is best; avoid raw and concentrated fertilizers. When the leaves of the Dragon's Whisker Orchid grow vigorously, prune them promptly. This not only improves air circulation but also reduces the chance of pests and diseases breeding. In addition, cutting off dead leaves and diseased branches is also fine, so as not to affect its appearance.
The above is an introduction to how to grow a Dragon's Whisker Orchid. We hope it helps you. For more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.