What are the winter care methods for orchids?

In winter, strengthening orchid care is the key to lush growth and blooming in the coming year

The ancients' experience in growing orchids is three parts planting, seven parts care. How to manage orchids well in winter depends on the different varieties of orchids, and different care methods should be adopted. Based on years of experience in growing orchids, to help orchids overwinter safely, care must be strengthened in four aspects: water, fertilizer, temperature and air.

Water: "In summer and autumn they must not dry out, in winter and spring they must not be wet" - this is the experience our predecessors summed up for growing orchids well. Judging by the morphological structure of orchids, they are mesophytes, not easily killed by drying out, and inherently do not need much water. In winter, when orchids enter dormancy and stop growing, watering once a week is sufficient. (Except Cymbidium goeringii, Cymbidium kanran and Cymbidium sinense.) For water, natural water or melted snow water is best; tap water must not be used directly. (If using tap water, it must be stored in a water container for 24 hours before use.) When watering, pour along the rim of the pot all around, letting it gradually penetrate toward the roots; do not pour into the leaves or the heart of the orchid.

Fertilizer: Based on the characteristics of orchid roots, orchid roots are thick and long with no fibrous roots, and have symbiotic root fungi within them. Generally speaking, if orchids are repotted and the soil changed every year, and the soil contains sufficient nutrients, there is no need to fertilize at all. Even for those repotted every 2—3 years, since they enter dormancy in winter and stop growing, fertilizer is even less necessary. If fertilizer is applied in winter, it will turn the orchid roots black or even rot them. (Except Cymbidium goeringii and Cymbidium kanran during their growing period.) Temperature: In winter, affected by cold currents from the north, temperatures are lower, so orchids placed outdoors should be moved indoors or into an enclosed balcony with aluminum alloy fittings. The orchid pots are best placed facing south from a north-facing position, which can prevent the direct intrusion of cold currents. With this orientation, they can receive morning sunlight and avoid the afternoon sun, which benefits orchid growth. Air: Orchids, like other plants, need air circulation. Orchids kept indoors should often be moved to a balcony or outdoors (preferably around noon) to absorb fresh air and see sunlight. If placed in an enclosed balcony with aluminum alloy fittings, the windows and doors should be opened frequently to let air circulate. Institute of Scientific and Technical Information, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences