How to grow potted orchids? Sharing five key planting and care tips

Orchids are one of the flowers that flower lovers commonly grow, and they are excellent potted plants, long praised as the "gentleman among flowers" and widely adored. So today, the editor will share some tips with you, and flower lovers should take a look.

Orchids have long enjoyed great renown in China, praised as the "gentleman among flowers." They win people over with their fragrance, have pleasing colors, bloom proudly in the cold, carry themselves with elegant grace, and possess noble character. They have been deeply loved by people since ancient times and have also become a subject described by writers past and present. At the same time, they are one of the flowers that flower lovers often grow. Below are 5 care tips for growing orchids in pots.

First, you need to understand the growth habits of orchids: they prefer shade and fear direct sunlight; they prefer moisture and avoid dryness; they prefer fertility and soil rich in a large amount of humus; they suit an environment with good air circulation. It is forbidden to use ordinary mud, soil, or perlite to grow orchids.

Second, potting technique. First place some tiles, broken bricks, or small stones at the bottom of the pot to block the drainage hole, then place the orchid appropriately in the middle of the pot according to its length. When planting, hold the orchid with your left hand and add soil with your right hand, and shake the pot several times to firm the soil. After planting, water the orchid. The first watering must be thorough until water leaks from the bottom of the pot. Place it in a cool, ventilated spot to rest quietly, and only after about a week can it be exposed to sunlight.

Third, fertilizing technique. Fertilizing orchids emphasizes light fertilizer and slow release. Generally, the orchid's acclimatization period after repotting is two weeks, and after that period ends, you can fertilize appropriately.

Fourth, watering technique. After the orchid is planted, it needs thorough watering. After that, each watering should only be done once the soil has dried out completely, which is the so-called "see dry, see wet." Depending on the growing medium, the water-holding performance will also differ greatly. Generally, in hot summer, water once every 3~5 days; in winter, water once every seven days or once every two weeks.

Fifth, lighting technique. Light is an important factor in forming flower buds. Although orchids prefer cool conditions, if they are placed in a hidden spot year-round, they will also rarely bloom. It is understood that orchids on the shady side of a mountain have long leaves and sparse flowers, while orchids on the sunny side of a mountain have short leaves and many flowers. Therefore, when cultivating orchids, attention must be paid to the issue of light. In spring and summer, it is recommended to place orchids at an indoor east- or south-facing ventilated window, and it is forbidden to expose orchids to blazing sun.

During the orchid growing process, you must pay attention to lighting technique, because it is different from other flowers: although it prefers cool conditions, it also needs light. The above points are crucial.