How to grow orchids? First understand their growth habits

To grow orchids well, we first need to understand their growth habits. Anyone who has collected orchids in the mountains has noticed the surrounding environment, and from that we can understand the growth habits of orchids.

The ancients summed up the growth habits of orchids very accurately:

They like moisture but fear dampness; they like light but fear harsh sun; they like warmth but fear intense heat; they like ventilation but fear strong drafts.

Specifically, there are the following points that need attention:

1. Orchids need sunlight to grow, but it should be scattered light, not direct harsh sun, and we must not do that either. In winter they can take full sun, in summer they need shading, and in spring and autumn they need partial shading. Different orchid varieties require different levels of shading. Cymbidium ensifolium is 60-70%; Cymbidium goeringii is 70-80%; Cymbidium faberi is 70-80%; Cymbidium sinense is 85-85%. When the sunlight is too strong, the orchid leaves tend toward yellow; when the sunlight is insufficient, the orchid leaves appear dark green.

2. At what temperature do orchids grow rapidly? Cymbidium goeringii grows very fast between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius, Cymbidium ensifolium at 25 to 30 degrees Celsius, and Cymbidium sinense at 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. If the temperature is too low or too high, orchids may stop growing. Generally, below ten degrees or above 40 degrees, orchids stop growing.

3. Orchids like fresh air, which is a common trait of all plants, and orchids also like high air humidity. They are afraid of dryness. The optimal relative air humidity is 70-85%. Cymbidium ensifolium and Cymbidium kanran can be slightly drier, while Cymbidium sinense and Cymbidium goeringii can be slightly more moist.

4. Orchids like the growing medium, which is what we put in the pot, to not be dry, but they are afraid of water accumulation. Long-term soaking will certainly cause problems easily, so the medium should have good air permeability and smooth drainage. Otherwise, when you repot, you will find, what? How did the orchid roots rot?

These points provide a basis for scientifically growing orchids, but in practice we should adapt to local conditions and flexibly adjust according to different regions, different seasons, different climates, and different orchid varieties.