In winter, one of the most beautiful indoor flowers is the orchid. This flower develops well in the cold season, when the days are shorter and the temperatures are low. Species of orchids such as Phalaenopsis and Cymbidium bloom around Christmas.
There are several types of orchids that you can grow indoors in the cold season: Cymbidium, Phalaenopsis, Oncidium, Zygopetalu, and so on. Cymbidium, for example, is an orchid that blooms between February and May.
Useful tips to care for orchids during winter:
1. Find the right place for the orchid pot
Orchids grow well and bloom beautiful in winter if they have enough natural light. It’s not advisable, however, to place the pot on the window sill without a curtain because the plant needs filtered light. Direct sunlight can damage the plant even in the winter. An orchid exposed too much in direct sun rays has a “sick” look with yellowish leaves.
If you keep the pot on the window sill, put it in such a way that the leaf won’t touch the glass. The effect of condensation can destroy plant leaves.
Orchids need at least 6 hours of natural light. In dark rooms, artificial light is used.
2. Reduce the amount of water and fertilizer
In winter, orchids grow very slowly. Therefore, the plant needs a small amount of water and fertilizers. Usually, the fertilizer is added twice a month. To encourage the plant to bloom, you should water it with not so much water. It’s recommended to water the orchid in the morning to allow it to dry throughout the day.
Use rain water or distilled water (or melted snow) at room temperature to water the plant. It’s not recommended to use tap water for this process. In winter, it’s enough to water the orchid’s roots to ensure proper moisture. Orchids are demanding plants that don’t tolerate either dryness or excess watering.
The orchid also needs moisture to survive. Put the pot on a tray of pebbles and water, so that the pot to stand on pebbles, above the water.
3. Protect orchids from pests
In winter, orchids can be attacked by pests. And you can get rid of them with a solution made from a spoonful of soap and ¼ liter of water. Put the solution in a spray bottle and sprinkle the plant.
In winter, the rooms can be less airy and this favors the appearance of plant fungi. Orchids can suffer from fungal diseases if the air is not constantly refreshed in the room. A fan can be useful to the plant if it’s used constantly to help the air circulate in the room.
4. Protect the orchid from heat sources
In winter, indoor heat sources can dehydrate and destroy the orchid. A sign that the pot is next to a heat source, is when the buds get dry and fall off the plant. Put the pot away from stoves, radiators, and so on.
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