In summer, crab claw orchid ushered in a relatively dormant period, and special attention should be paid to the maintenance at this time. Although it is a very tough plant, it takes a little more effort to maintain it in good condition all year round and even to continue to bloom. When maintaining crab claw orchids, remember the principle of "1 no, 1 less, 2 diligent", and you can easily cope with the challenges of summer.
1. Do not move at will
Crab claw orchid does not like to change the environment frequently. It is sensitive to changes in light, humidity and temperature, especially in summer. It takes time for a plant to adapt to an environment, and if the environment is changed suddenly, it can affect its growth and even cause defoliation.
Therefore, once you have found a suitable location, do not move it around. If you really need to move, you can choose to do it in the morning and evening when the temperature is lower, which can reduce the impact on the plants.
2. Water less
Although crab claw orchids prefer moist environments, transpiration of plants accelerates during high summer temperatures, and the ability of roots to absorb water is relatively weakened. If you water too much, it is easy to cause root rot, which in turn causes problems such as wilting and falling off leaves.
The frequency of watering in summer should be appropriately reduced, and it is generally necessary to wait until the surface of the potting soil is dry before watering. When watering, be careful not to accumulate water at the bottom of the pot, you can use the tray appropriately, but the water in the tray should be poured out in time to prevent the roots from soaking in water for a long time.
3. Frequent ventilation
Crab claw orchid prefers an environment with good air circulation, especially in the summer when the temperature is high, and it is more necessary to maintain good ventilation. This not only reduces the incidence of pests and diseases, but also keeps the plants in a healthy state.
You can place the crab claw orchid on the balcony or by the window, but avoid strong direct sunlight. Proper ventilation prevents the leaves from growing germs due to excessive humidity, while also helping the roots to breathe better.
4. Apply thin fertilizer frequently
Although summer is the dormant period for crab claw orchids, proper fertilization is still necessary. Diluted liquid fertilizer can be used every two to three weeks, and the concentration should not be too high to avoid burning the roots. Fertilizers containing phosphorus and potassium can promote flower bud differentiation and prepare for the flowering period in autumn and winter.
At the same time, when fertilizing, it is necessary to avoid direct contact with leaves or roots, and the fertilizer can be dissolved in water and evenly poured on the surface of the potting soil.
Small details in daily maintenance
In addition to the above-mentioned "1 no, 1 less, 2 diligent", there are also some small details of daily maintenance that are also very important. For example, during the high temperature in summer, you can place some water basins around the crab claw orchid to increase the humidity of the air, but do not spray water directly on the plants to prevent the leaves from being wet for a long time and causing bacterial infection. In addition, paying attention to timely pruning of aging and yellowing leaves and branches can promote the growth of new shoots and also improve the ornamentality of the whole plant.
In the summer, if you notice that the leaves of the crab claw orchid are starting to turn yellow or show signs of falling off, it may be due to overwatering or insufficient light. At this point, you can adjust the lighting conditions appropriately, move the crab claw orchid to a place with soft light, and control the amount of watering. In short, in the process of conserving crab claw orchid, we need to observe carefully and adjust the maintenance strategy in time.
Summer is a critical maintenance period for crab claw orchid, as long as we pay more attention to daily care, follow the principle of "do not move at will, water less, ventilate frequently, and apply thin fertilizer frequently", we can help crab claw orchid survive the high temperature season and lay a good foundation for autumn and winter flowering.
In this way, the crab claw orchid can stay healthy all year round and even bloom beautiful flowers that bring us infinite joy and beauty.