How to Pot and Repot Newly Bought Orchids
If you want to know how to pot and repot newly bought orchids and the green plant flower planting content about orchid repotting time and methods, the editor will introduce them as follows.
Recently, many netizens have been inquiring on the platform about how to pot orchids they just bought, so that they can adapt quickly without toppling over. Most of these orchid lovers have experienced losses such as toppling over and withering during the orchid's acclimatization period, hence the questions. So, how should we do it?
What is Withering During the Acclimatization Period of Orchids?
After newly planted orchids, they generally go through three stages: the seedling adaptation period, the acclimatization period, and the growth period.
After the seedling adaptation period, the orchid roots have gradually adapted to the new potting soil environment. If the climate, temperature, and moisture are suitable, they will quickly grow new roots, which is what we commonly call crystal heads. The growth of new roots indicates that the orchid has gradually acclimatized, but there will still be some changes in the orchid seedlings during the acclimatization period. The most direct is the withering of old seedlings, which is what we commonly call withering.
Orchid withering is especially common in the cultivation of Huilan, because the Huilan corms are not large enough, and compared to the size of their orchid plants, the corms can be said to be non-existent. We all know that the orchid corm is an energy storage, a storage place for nutrients.
When orchids are in the acclimatization period, the roots cannot effectively absorb nutrients and moisture from the soil, while the transpiration and consumption of the orchid plants do not stop. Therefore, the nutrients and moisture consumed at this time have to rely on the nutrient and moisture storage of the corm and old seedlings.
Spring orchids and Jian orchids still have thick corms to provide nutrients and moisture, but Huilan corms cannot do this, so they can only consume old seedlings. Therefore, Huilan usually shows the gradual withering of old seedlings, and in severe cases, even the death of old seedlings.
How to Prevent or Reduce Withering in Orchids During the Acclimatization Period?
Withering is a normal phenomenon in the growth of orchids, but severe withering can also affect the orchid plants. It first affects the appearance and causes the loss of orchid seedlings; secondly, too much withering can lead to rotting, increasing the chances of infection by bacteria. So, how can we effectively control orchid withering? After several years of experimentation, the editor has summarized some operational experience, hoping to be of some help to orchid lovers.
How to Pot and Repot Newly Bought Orchids
The article mentioned above states that the real reason for withering is the insufficient supply of nutrients and moisture, so we can start from these two aspects to minimize some losses, thus avoiding common orchid withering.
One, Water Management
Orchids cannot grow without water, and most plants are the same; without timely water supplementation, the plant will have problems. The roots of orchids in the acclimatization period cannot absorb water, and the limited water is only obtained from the humid air through the leaves. However, this amount of water is not enough for the orchid plant, especially during the spring growth season when the leaves transpire a lot.
At this time, to avoid excessive water loss, only two methods can be used: one is to reduce the transpiration of water from the leaves by avoiding direct sunlight, so Huilan needs to be careful with sunlight during the acclimatization period, and it is generally not recommended to expose to direct sunlight after noon. Additionally, water mist can be sprayed on the orchid leaves in the evening, which can play a good role in moisturizing.
Two, Nutrient Management
This section is very important, especially when planting Huilan. The editor has tried many methods to prevent withering during the acclimatization period of Huilan, and it seems that only this method has the best effect.
First, we know that Huilan withering is due to the reasons of moisture and nutrients, and the previous section has mentioned how to replenish water and avoid direct sunlight. Then, there is the issue of timely nutrient supply; even if there is enough water, the orchid plant will still wither without timely nutrient supply.
Previously, orchid lovers asked the editor whether newly potted orchids can be fertilized because the seedlings did not look very strong and were worried that they would not survive the acclimatization period.
Newly potted orchids are not recommended to be fertilized, especially with some chemical fertilizers. Because at this time, the roots have not yet formed, and the old roots do not have the ability to digest soil fertility. Therefore, fertilizing at this time not only fails to achieve the desired effect but can also cause unnecessary fertilizer damage.
Even if organic fertilizers are mixed into the planting material, the effect is also not significant, as soil fertility must rely on the absorption and digestion of the roots, and the effect of organic base fertilizer is only reflected after the orchids are truly acclimatized.