How to grow orchids in the northern region

Select pot and soil

Generally, it is better to use clay pots to grow orchids at home. If you want to add beauty to the decorative effect, you can put a glazed porcelain basin outside the clay basin. The size of the pot should be such that the orchid roots can fully expand inside.

It is best to use orchid mud as potting soil. You can also adjust it yourself. You can use 6 parts of leaf mold or peat soil, 3 parts of sandy soil, and 1 part of cake fertilizer, or mix 5 parts of leaf mold, 3 parts of compost soil, and 2 parts of coarse sand.

Watering

Generally, starting from spring, as the temperature rises, orchids enter a vigorous growth period and the amount of watering should be gradually increased, with watering every 1 to 2 days. In summer, the temperature is high, and it is the peak growth period for orchids. It is usually advisable to water them once in the early morning and evening, and avoid watering at noon.

When the rainy season comes, you should flexibly control the amount of watering according to the amount of rain and the moisture level of the potting soil. Avoid waterlogging in the potting soil which may cause root rot.

In late autumn, the temperature begins to drop, and the amount of watering should be gradually reduced, and watering once every 2 to 3 days is sufficient; in winter, the temperature is low, and most orchids enter a dormant period. At this time, you should control watering, and water them once every 5 to 7 days. However, the amount of watering for Mo Lan and Han Lan that bloom in winter should be appropriately increased.

Tips for fertilizing

When fertilizing orchids, use thin fertilizers and avoid thick fertilizers. There is a saying that "clear fertilizers for orchids, turbid fertilizers for jasmine". It is not advisable to apply fertilizer to newly planted orchids in the first year; start applying fertilizer after Qingming Festival of the second year and continue until the Beginning of Autumn.

You can apply fully decomposed thin cake fertilizer water 1 to 2 times a month. Since orchids have fleshy roots, do not apply uncomposted fertilizer to avoid root rot. Before applying fertilizer each time, control the water for 1 to 2 days and wait until the soil in the pot is slightly dry before applying fertilizer. Water the orchid once the next morning after applying the fertilizer to prevent impurities in the fertilizer solution from contaminating the root system and harming the orchid roots.

Suitable light

Orchids prefer shady and cool environments and avoid direct sunlight. Therefore, in the north, it can see more sunlight before 9 am in April and early May, but it needs shade after mid-May and should be placed in a cool and ventilated place for cultivation.

In winter, place it near the south window to receive more light to enhance its vitality and promote flower bud differentiation. Especially for Mo Lan and Han Lan that bloom in winter, they should be placed in a sunny place indoors in winter. They will not bloom well without light.