Winter for nature is a special time - animals are overgrown with warm hair or fall into hibernation, plants discard leaves and are in a state of rest. In the environment of houseplants, there are not many changes, but there are features at this period. Consider how to care for the orchid in winter.
The basic rules of care for orchids in winter
- The light day should remain long - not less than 14 hours, so the illumination of orchids in winter is mandatory. If it is not possible to install specialized fluorescent lamps, you can do with ordinary fluorescent lights.
- Comfortable air temperature for orchids in winter is 16-18 ° C.
- Caring for orchids in winter involves regular airing. Fresh air must be provided at least once a day, while it is important to avoid drafts.
- If your room orchid does not belong to the cold-loving, it is important to create comfortable conditions for it, for example, to protect it with foam from the glass and the cold window sill.
- Spraying can damage the orchid in the winter, so you need to wait with them. Exceptions are sprays from pests , in which case hot water should be used.
- It is necessary to keep the moisture level comfortable for orchids in the winter season during the heating season.
View of orchids and winter care
Care for orchids in winter directly depends on the type of plant. You can divide the orchids into three groups - some fall into a period of rest, others partially reduce their activity, others practically do not react to the change of the season. For example, the latest category includes the popular phalaenopsis orchid, its care in winter does not change, watering and feeding continues. The second group, which includes cottages and lilies, requires a reduction in watering and feeding. The same plants that pass into a period of rest, for example, tuna and calantas, also require attention - watering such orchids in winter stops, they lose leaves, the soil is completely dried.