Four taboos to avoid when growing orchids at home for the first time

1. Avoid using a large pot for a small plant

The downside of using too large a pot is that the more potting mix inside the pot, the more there is: if you sprinkle too little water, the outside is wet but the inside is not, and the roots cannot get water. If you sprinkle too much water, the outside is dry but the inside is not, and the potting mix easily rots, and the roots rot along with it. You may think that filling more potting mix means more nutrients, but that is wrong.

2. Avoid using excessive fertilizer

Fertilizer can promote the growth, strengthening, and blooming of orchid plants, but do not assume that once you sprinkle fertilizer on, it will produce the effect you want. The effectiveness of fertilizer depends on other conditions and must also be used in the right amount. In short, use fertilizer on the light side; otherwise, ask someone with experience for guidance. There are many examples of beginners using too much fertilizer, causing fertilizer burn and death.

3. Avoid overwatering

Beginners are all eager for their flowers to grow, and want to water as soon as they see the plant, afraid that there is not enough water for the orchid to take in. I know this comes from love, but it is wrong. It only needs a moderate amount of water, and sometimes it also needs to dry out for a while. If you think you have given enough water, but the leaves show signs of dehydration, then either the roots are damaged, or it has been exposed to too much wind (wind drying), meaning the humidity in the air is insufficient.

4. Avoid planting too deep

Planting flowers too deep is also a common problem for beginners. They think that only by burying the crown in the potting mix can it absorb nutrients, or they worry it will be unstable and so plant it deeper so the plant body can stand firm. Both practices are wrong. The correct way is that the crown of the orchid plant should be exposed at the pot surface, to avoid suffocating and rotting as well as new shoots rotting from moisture. When first potting an orchid, if the plant cannot stand firm, it should be fixed with string or a support.