How to grow perfume orchids

Perfume orchid is a very popular ornamental plant that prefers a warm and humid environment with plenty of sunlight and humid air. The leaves of the perfume orchid are slender and green, the flowers are enchanting, and they exude a pleasant fragrance. Below, the editor will introduce the cultivation methods of perfume orchids, let’s take a look.

1. Soil

Perfume orchids have high requirements for soil, requiring loose, breathable, well-drained and moisture-retaining soil. You can use pure sphagnum moss as soil, or mix it with sawdust and peat soil, or you can buy special soil for orchids. The soil should be slightly acidic, with a pH generally around 5.5 to 6.5.

2. Breeding method

Perfume orchids can be propagated by division, grafting or leaf cuttings. Among them, propagation by division is relatively simple. Take the perfume orchid out of the pot in spring or autumn, use a knife to divide the plant into several small plants, and then transplant them into new pots respectively.

3. Temperature

Perfume orchid likes a warm environment, and the suitable growth temperature is 15-25℃. In summer, ventilation needs to be strengthened and the temperature should be controlled below 30℃. In winter, the plants should be moved indoors and the temperature should be kept no lower than 10℃.

4. Lighting

Perfume orchid prefers a slightly shady environment and cannot tolerate strong direct sunlight. In spring and autumn, it can receive more scattered light, but in summer it should avoid strong sunlight. It is recommended to place it in a ventilated place with less strong light, such as the north balcony. It needs sufficient light every spring and should be moved to a semi-shaded environment in summer.

5. Watering

Perfume orchid is drought-resistant and does not need to be watered too frequently. Water it in time when the soil is dry, keep the soil slightly moist, and avoid waterlogging. Daily watering may be necessary in the summer, avoiding watering during midday heat.

6. Fertilization

The root system of perfume orchid is weak, so avoid using concentrated fertilizer when fertilizing. You can sprinkle fertilizer on the soil surface and water it with liquid fertilizer containing phosphorus when the flowering season comes to promote flowering. Fertilization should be done in time in spring, using dilute liquid fertilizer or compound fertilizer , and avoiding high temperatures.

7. Pest and disease control

The potting soil should be sterilized to prevent diseases. Perfume orchid is prone to white rot, which can be controlled by spraying Bordeaux mixture or thiophanate-methyl. The most common pests are scale insects, and during the hatching period, spray with omethoate and phosmet emulsifiable concentrate.

The above is an introduction to the cultivation methods of perfume orchids. As the perfume orchids grow, the root system will gradually expand. Therefore, it is recommended to replace the potting soil and flower pot once every spring to ensure that it has enough growing space.