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Orchids: 10 mistakes to avoid

2021-11-05T06:19:17.998Z


Romain Maire, expert on this refined plant for more than fifteen years and author of Orchid Addict, answers the most frequent questions concerning its maintenance and conservation.


1 - An orchid is an exotic plant so I place it near a radiator

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False

.

The radiator dries up the surrounding environment.

However, the orchid is a tropical plant that needs heat and humidity.

2 - The roots can be cut at any time

False and true

.

The roots are the plant's nutrient apparatus.

They can only be cut occasionally and sparingly, in case of repotting, for example.

3 - Only the stems remain, the flowers are dry or fallen.

Time to throw it away

False

.

Even completely dried out and leafless, the orchid is not dead and can start again.

We do not cut the stems while they are green but we can remove the dry part so that branching takes place.

4 - For it to be in great shape, it must be watered every day

False

.

The majority of orchids are epiphytic plants that grow naturally.

Between two rains, they dry up.

Their watering therefore depends on the growing conditions but, on average, once a week is sufficient.

5 - Tap water is sufficient

True

.

Even if it's not ideal.

It is better to favor rainwater, without lime, or that of an aquarium which contains many nutrients playing a role of natural fertilizers.

Read the fileOrigin, culture, flowering: all our advice on orchids

6 - It should be placed right in front of the window so that it has maximum light

True

.

But wrong, when the window is facing south.

This may burn the flowers.

In this case, it is advisable to install a curtain to filter the sun's rays.

7 - In summer, an additional spray is effective so that the plant suffers less from the high temperature

True and False

.

I am not in favor of the fogger, which I recommend in particular for potted plants.

Water can collect in the heart of the plant and cause it to rot.

If you use a fogger, you have to be careful that the orchid dries well afterwards.

On the other hand, a small fan for air circulation is recommended.

8 - In case of absence, leave water at the bottom of the pot

False

.

Orchids are not water lilies.

It is easier to recover a dehydrated plant than overwatered.

Usually, it also depends on the length of the absence.

9 - You have to place your orchid in the dark to stress it and thus cause flowering

False

.

This bloom is called "swansong", the last bloom but it is not ideal.

If the conditions are right and she feels good there, it is better to leave her in her environment and not to force nature.

10 - You can place one or more ice cubes on the surface and ... let it melt

False

.

This may create a thermal shock and damage the roots, due to the cold.

"Orchid Addict, tips and tricks of a passionate to cultivate his orchids" by Romain Maire, photographs Thibault Charpentier, 144 pages, € 15.90, Ulmer éditions.

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2021-11-05

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