Orchid Growing Methods and How to Deal with Yellowing Leaves

The orchid is one of China's top ten famous flowers. Its blooms are elegant and understated, and its fragrance is light without being heavy. Its tender green leaves hold up its simple flowers. Though it is not as showy as roses, lilies and other flowers, its fresh and noble quality is very appealing. The orchid, together with the plum blossom, bamboo and chrysanthemum, is also known as one of the "Four Gentlemen," and it has great ornamental value. So do you know how to grow orchids? Let's learn below.

Orchid Growing Methods

1. Soil

For growing orchids, generally choose fertile soil rich in humus that is loose and breathable. You can mix leaf mold, perlite, river sand and so on to make a growing medium.

2. Water

When watering orchids, it is best to keep them at eight parts dry and two parts moist. In spring and autumn, water once every two days. In summer, when temperatures are high and evaporation is great, you can water once a day, and you can also spray a suitable amount of water on the leaves to increase air humidity. In winter, the plant enters dormancy, so watering must be reduced; watering once a week is enough.

3. Light

Orchids are shade-loving by nature and afraid of direct strong light. Especially in summer, be sure to keep the plant in a cool place for care, where it can receive part of the morning and evening light. In winter, you can place the plant on a windowsill to receive plenty of light.

4. Temperature

Orchids prefer a warm environment, with a suitable temperature of 15-25°C. In summer, be careful to avoid strong sunlight exposure to prevent scorching, and in winter, place them in a warm indoor spot for growing, taking care to keep ventilation.

5. Fertilizing

Orchids have fleshy roots. To avoid root rot, be sure to apply thin fertilizer frequently, with a small amount of fertilizer. During the peak growing period, you can apply cake fertilizer water once every 20 days.

What to Do When Orchid Leaves Turn Yellow

1. Improper Watering

Cause: Insufficient watering can reduce the root system's ability to absorb nutrients, causing leaves to turn yellow. On the contrary, if watering is excessive and there is a lot of standing water in the pot, the roots will lack oxygen and rot, resulting in yellow leaves and even death.

Solution: Control the amount of watering and water according to the dryness of the soil, avoiding soil that is too dry or too wet. You can also spray water around the leaves to maintain air humidity.

2. Unsuitable Light

Cause: Orchids like a relatively shady growing environment, but sunlight is also indispensable. If the light is too strong, the orchid leaves will be scorched and turn yellow. If the light is insufficient, the plant will not have enough nutrients and the leaves are likely to turn yellow.

Solution: In spring and winter, the plant can be cared for with full sun, and at other times simply move it to a cool, ventilated place for management.

The above is the orchid growing method brought to you by the editor. You can try growing a few orchids, and they will surely make your home fresher and more elegant.