- In winter, most houseplants go dormant, but winter-flowering orchids require special care and fertilization.
- Garlic, a well-known natural antibiotic, will perfectly strengthen orchids, protecting them against diseases and stimulating flowering.
- At the end of winter, orchids need regular watering and sprinkling the leaves with soft water, avoiding dry air.
- Do you want your orchid to bloom beautifully? Discover how to properly fertilize and care for it in early spring!
Winter orchid care. Homemade fertilizer that will enhance flowering
In winter, they most often go dormant, during which they prepare for the flowering period. As in the case of garden plants, fertilization is discontinued at this time and watering is limited to a minimum. The exception are potted plants that bloom in winter. In their case, fertilization should start a few weeks before flowering. are perennial flowers, some varieties of which bloom even in winter. For species that bud in spring and summer, the turn of February and March is an important time. During this period, you can slowly start fertilizing your orchids. Remember that potted flowers do not have access to fresh soil and the nutrients it contains. It must be delivered from the outside. This homemade orchid fertilizer will make the plant grow stronger and quickly sprout new buds.
The beginning of the growing season is the time when plants require strengthening. A well-known, natural antibiotic, garlic, will be perfect for this purpose. In the lazy version, just sprinkle the orchid with powdered garlic a few times a month. Another way is to chop a few cloves of garlic and pour 3 liters of boiling water over it. The whole thing is left in a dark place for one day, and then the orchids are watered. Garlic as a natural antibiotic protects plants against many diseases and pests. Additionally, it strengthens the root system and stimulates the flowering process.
How to care for an orchid in March?
The end of winter is a very important time in flower care. Plants are awakening to the growing season. During this time, they should be watered thoroughly and regularly. Orchids also like moist air, so don’t forget to sprinkle the leaves with water. Use soft, boiled water for this purpose. During the heating season, avoid placing orchids next to radiators. Dry air will not have a good effect on them.
The substrate is a very important element. These flowers like permeable soil. You can buy special mixtures for orchids in gardening stores. However, if we want to create a suitable substrate ourselves, it should consist of: pine bark, expanded clay and peat. When we repot orchids, it is easy to damage the roots. It is worth covering them with cinnamon, which has fungicidal properties.
What time of day should you fertilize orchids?
If you are wondering what time of day is best to fertilize orchids, the optimal time is in the morning. The plant then has the entire day to absorb nutrients, which is consistent with its natural metabolic cycle when photosynthesis is most intense. Avoid fertilizing in the evening because excess moisture on the leaves or in the ground overnight may promote the development of fungal diseases. Also remember to always water the orchid with clean water before fertilizing – this will help you avoid burning the roots with delicate mineral salts contained in the fertilizer.
