Can orchids be soaked in potassium dihydrogen phosphate before potting?

? The exact answer is no. Potassium dihydrogen phosphate is a compound fertilizer high in phosphorus and potassium. Under normal circumstances, when applied to plants, it mainly supplements the two major elements phosphorus and potassium, promotes plant flowering and fruiting, strengthens the plants, and improves their resistance to lodging and cold. It can only be applied when the plant's stems and root system are intact and capable of absorbing nutrients and water. Before an orchid is potted, its roots are exposed, and in most cases they will be severely damaged and lose their absorptive capacity, making it impossible for them to absorb the nutrients in the potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution. Not only will it fail to supplement nutrients, it can very easily burn and kill the original roots.

Before potting an orchid, some disinfecting and sterilizing agents can be used appropriately to simply disinfect the roots and the substrate, such as solutions of carbendazim and chlorothalonil. However, no matter what agent is used for disinfection, it must not be used in excess; the concentration of the solution must be prepared strictly according to the dosage in the instructions, otherwise it may also burn the root system.

When potting an orchid with bare roots, in addition to simply disinfecting the plant, the following points also need to be done well to ensure that the orchid can adapt to the pot as quickly as possible and enter a normal growth state:

1. Potting time and ambient temperature for orchids. The potting time for orchids is best chosen in spring, when the orchid has just entered or is about to enter its active growth period, which is extremely favorable for adapting to the pot as quickly as possible after potting. In addition, the ambient temperature in spring is a process of gradual rise, the cell tissue division of the orchid plant slowly accelerates, and as the temperature gradually rises, the orchid will grow new roots in the shortest time and complete the process of adapting to the pot;

2. The choice of orchid substrate makes full preparation for later growth. Orchids have fleshy root systems and are extremely afraid of waterlogging; even a short period of waterlogging can cause root rot. The planting substrate must have very good drainage and also a certain degree of moisture retention. Orchid substrate mixes are varied, and each region and each grower has a method that suits them. Personally, I think leaf mold, decomposed pine bark, and coarse sand mixed at 4:3:3 is more suitable for my own use, and you can refer to it;

3. The care environment after potting is also an important factor in enabling the orchid to adapt to the pot as quickly as possible. Warm but not hot conditions, humid air and substrate, bright diffused light, and a well-ventilated environment are the prerequisites for an orchid to adapt to the pot as quickly as possible after potting.

Summary: The potting method for orchids and the care environment after potting are the external factors for how quickly they adapt to the pot or whether they survive after potting, and these should be done as well as possible.