Orchid Care Tips and Precautions for October

October Orchid Care Tips----Comprehensive Fertilisation to Promote Growth-----October brings clear autumn skies and crisp air. In most parts of China, temperatures are moderate and the temperature difference between day and night is large, making it another golden season of the year for orchid growth. Comprehensive fertilisation based on the actual condition of the orchid plants is essential. For robust orchid plants, apply more phosphorus and potassium fertiliser to strengthen their cold resistance and lay a solid foundation for early and strong sprouting next year; for orchids sprouting autumn growths, apply more organic fertiliser with a complete nutrient profile to meet the various nutritional needs of orchid growth and help them grow strong before winter arrives. In principle, however, fertilisation should stop by the end of the month. Let orchids bathe in sunlight

This month includes the two solar terms Cold Dew and Frost Descent. The sunlight is soft, and no shading is needed during the day, so orchids can safely receive full-day sunlight, which greatly helps promote orchid growth, enhance plant resistance and ensure safe overwintering. Increase humidity in the orchid room

This month has little rainfall and relatively low air humidity, and the potting medium dries out easily, so pay attention to increasing the air humidity in the orchid room to prevent leaf tips from drying and scorching. In areas with good air quality, orchids can be left to enjoy autumn rain, but during sustained rainfall they still need cover. Never let orchid plants stay exposed to rain for long periods, to prevent waterlogged roots and the development of black spot disease on the leaves. Watch for extreme weather and prevent frost damage

If extreme weather occurs in the latter part of this month, early frost may arrive in Jiangnan, and in temperate and high-cold regions of the north, temperatures may sometimes drop below 0°C. Those growing orchids outdoors should watch weather forecasts and be ready at all times to prevent frost and freezing damage. Combine repotting and division with orchid trading

By this month most orchid plants have matured, making it the best time of the year to introduce varieties and to repot, divide and change the growing medium. If a full pot of mature orchid plants needs repotting, this work is best completed before the end of the month; if new growths have not yet fully matured, it is best to postpone repotting and division to allow them to continue growing, and divide the pot next spring instead. Introducing plants is the first step in orchid growing, and getting off to a good start is crucial, but the following issues must be noted. First, strictly control quality and do not introduce diseased plants. When introducing plants, orchid enthusiasts need to keep their eyes open and, following the principle of quality first, keep diseased orchids out. Orchid plants are divided into strong, medium and weak grades, and prices differ considerably. Enthusiasts with solid skills may appropriately introduce medium and small plants to grow, which both saves money and improves their own growing skills; beginners are best advised to introduce highly adaptable native species or vigorous strong plants. Although the price is higher, they are relatively easier to grow. Second, strictly control the environment factor and improve the success rate. When introducing orchids, the growing environment must be considered, and this has a considerable impact on the success rate after introduction. Enthusiasts with modern orchid-growing facilities and superior conditions can boldly introduce greenhouse plants; those with simple facilities are best advised to introduce plants from enthusiasts whose growing environment is similar, as the chances of success will be greater. Generally speaking, introducing orchids grown on home balconies is the safest, as they are the most adaptable and have the highest success rate. Third, strictly control the source and ensure genuine goods at a fair price. The ranks of orchid enthusiasts are a mixed bunch. To avoid being cheated, it is best to personally select and buy from well-known and reputable orchid growers. Although the price is higher, the goods are genuine. Never seek bargains from dishonest orchid dealers whose background you do not know, lest you be cheated and lose everything.

Thin buds to promote vigour

This month, most full pots of vigorous strong plants have produced buds. Buds should be appropriately thinned on the principle of removing the weak and keeping the strong. Remove all buds produced by old plants, and for the too many buds produced by the leading growths, keep only the strongest and remove the rest, so as to favour proper blooming next year.