What does orchid germination look like, and how to grow fast after germination

1. What does orchid germination look like?

When orchids sprout, the first thing to do is to determine whether they are leaf buds or flower buds. The leaf buds of orchids will later grow into leaves, so they feel harder, and the leaf buds usually grow on pseudobulbs. The sheath of leaf buds is generally thicker and more elongated in shape. Flower buds feel softer because they will grow into flower buds later. They usually grow on old but strong pseudobulbs. The sheath of the flower bud is thinner and drier, and looks round, usually bulging in the middle and pointed at the head. However, sometimes, there is a certain time difference between the germination of leaf buds and flower buds. For example, in spring, the leaf buds of Jianlan will germinate earlier than the flower buds.

2. How to grow fast after germination

Adequate light: Generally, the transition from winter to spring is the budding period of orchids. After it sprouts, it is still necessary to provide it with sufficient light and ensure air circulation. You can place it near a sunny glass window indoors and try to provide it with more light. In addition, in addition to receiving light during the day, it is best to use fluorescent light for three to five hours at night, which can promote photosynthesis and make the orchid buds grow faster and better.

Watering in moderation: Orchids have strict requirements on water after germination and cannot be alternately dry and wet. If the mother plant does not have sufficient water supply, it will not be able to promote the growth of new shoots. You can place it in a high place and control the amount of water. Don't let it be too wet or too dry. Just keep the soil moist.

Suitable temperature: Orchids generally have to go through winter after germinating, so it is necessary to take measures to prevent cold and frost to ensure suitable temperature. Once the temperature drops below three degrees, move it indoors where the temperature is between five and fifteen degrees.

Fertilize at the right time: After the orchid sprouts, you can apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. After germination, orchids generally accumulate nutrients instead of continuing to grow taller. At this time, applying phosphorus and potassium fertilizers can enable them to accumulate more nutrients and promote the growth of orchid buds. You can also use organic liquid fertilizer specially for orchids, which contains relatively rich trace elements, can meet the growth needs of orchids, and accumulate strength for the growth of orchid buds.

Remove buds in time: After orchids sprout, they need to accumulate a large amount of nutrients to supply the growth of flower buds. Therefore, if there are too many flower buds, they will consume too much nutrients, causing uneven growth of orchid buds. Therefore, it is necessary to remove some orchid buds that are in poor growth condition and the flower buds next to old seedlings in time. Generally, only two or three flower buds are left in a pot. This will allow the nutrients to be distributed more evenly and the orchid sprouts will grow better.