As we enter September, the maintenance of crab claw orchids becomes crucial. Loved for its brightly colored flowers, spreading branches, and beautiful leaves, this cactus epiphyte is a very popular ornamental flower of the moment. However, as the temperature gradually decreases, the maintenance requirements for crab claw orchids in autumn are more stringent, especially in terms of watering, fertilization and light, which need to be more meticulous, and the slightest carelessness may affect the flowering. Here are three key points to take care of your crab claw orchid after September, and it's important to do it correctly to ensure healthy growth and more blooming flowers.
Gradual exposure to light:
Crab claw orchid has a close blood relationship with cactus and belongs to short-day flowers. In summer, when the light is strong, you can move the crab claw orchid to a cool place to avoid the leaves from being sunburned by strong light. As the temperature drops, it is necessary to move the crab claw orchid back to a sunny place in time to promote the leaves to become full and hypertrophied and resume growth quickly. When the light is strong at noon, it can be properly shaded or temporarily moved away, and then put back after 2 pm, and careful light management will help the crab claw orchid to thrive in a healthy state.
Pruning is not negligible:
Whether the crab claw orchid is grafted or not, the pruning of the leaves is crucial. The baptism of summer may make the leaves weak, red, and soft, which is greatly affected by temperature. In this case, it is necessary to cut off irreversible conditions such as diseased leaves, mutilated leaves, and yellowing leaves with severe wrinkles. The purpose of pruning is to promote growth while reducing nutrient consumption and making the plant look more aesthetically pleasing. Even if you are reluctant to prune, moderate pruning will help increase the amount of flowering of crab claw orchids.
Fertilize gradually:
Crab claw orchids like plenty of nutrients, and fertilization is essential as we enter autumn. Only by ensuring sufficient nutrients, combined with proper water, light and proper pruning, can the leaves of crab claw orchid be fuller. In order to achieve this goal, you can choose a fertilizer that contains more nitrogen, such as cake fertilizer or water-soluble fertilizer (such as Hua Duoduo No. 1). When the leaves are full enough, one month before flowering, bone meal can be buried in the soil and Huaduoduo No. 2 can be used, and the flower buds can be seen to grow after 2 to 3 weeks. Proper fertilization not only helps in the growth of the leaves but also promotes more flower opening.
After the summer grind, although the growth is relatively slow, as the temperature gradually decreases, through the three key steps of gradual exposure to light, moderate pruning and gradual fertilization, we can awaken it and encourage it to resume growth and bloom more.