How to Tell When a White Orchid Tree (Michelia alba) Is Short of Water and Tips to Make It Bloom More

The white orchid tree (Michelia alba) is deeply loved by flower enthusiasts for its fresh, delicate fragrance and elegant blooms. However, to keep a white orchid tree growing healthily and blooming abundantly, you need to master a few key care techniques. Below is a detailed explanation of how to tell whether a white orchid tree is short of water and how to encourage it to bloom more.

How to tell whether a white orchid tree is short of water

The state of the leaves is an important basis for judging whether a white orchid tree is short of water. When it lacks water, the tips of the older leaves begin to turn yellow and dry up, the whole leaf looks rather shrunken and dry, and the plant takes on a wilted appearance. If you notice this, you need to water the white orchid tree promptly.

You can also judge whether a white orchid tree is short of water by observing the color change of the soil surface. When the potting soil has dried out, the color of the soil surface becomes lighter and may even turn grayish-white. At this point, it means the white orchid tree is already dry and short of water and needs to be watered promptly.

Tap the middle-upper part of the pot wall lightly with your finger joint. If it gives off a rather crisp sound, it means the potting soil is already dry and needs watering immediately; if it gives off a dull, muffled sound, it means the potting soil is still moist and you can hold off on watering for now.

Insert your finger gently about 2 cm deep into the potting soil to feel the moisture of the soil. If the soil feels dry, or rough and hard, it means the potting soil is already dry and needs watering immediately; if the soil feels slightly moist, fine and soft, it means the potting soil is still damp and you can hold off on watering for now.

How to encourage a white orchid tree to bloom more

The white orchid tree likes a moist environment, but it also fears waterlogging and root rot. Therefore, when watering, you must get the amount just right. In spring, summer and autumn, when the soil surface is dry and there is no water in the saucer, you can water moderately, and water thoroughly. When caring for it indoors in winter, control the amount of water to avoid root damage caused by overwatering.

The white orchid tree likes loose, highly breathable, slightly acidic soil rich in humus. Such soil is good for root respiration and growth and also helps the white orchid tree absorb nutrients better. Therefore, when mixing the soil, you can choose a blend of peat soil and nutrient soil, or native soil combined with nutrient soil, and add some cake fertilizer or sheep manure as a base fertilizer.

Fertilizing is one of the key measures for encouraging a white orchid tree to bloom more. During the growing season, you can apply a very diluted water-soluble fertilizer once a month, avoiding strong fertilizer that can damage the roots. In the flowering season, you can apply some phosphorus and potassium fertilizer as a top dressing, which likewise needs to be diluted before use. In addition, during the rainy season, you can scatter some compound fertilizer on the surface of the potting soil and let the rainwater seep it in to supplement nutrients.

The white orchid tree likes an environment with ample light, requiring at least 6 hours of light per day. But under the scorching summer sun it needs shading to prevent the leaves from being scorched. Reasonable light conditions help the white orchid tree carry out photosynthesis and accumulate nutrients, thereby promoting more blooms. During the growth period of the white orchid tree, leaf removal and pinching are necessary. Leaf removal can promote the growth of new branches and leaves and the formation of flower buds; pinching can stimulate new shoots and produce more flower buds. Through proper leaf removal and pinching, you can make the white orchid tree bloom abundantly and continuously.

Through the judgment methods and the application of the care techniques above, I believe you can easily master the way to care for a white orchid tree and encourage it to bloom more. I hope this article provides you with useful reference and help!