What is the best way to water my Fan-lipped orchid?
The manner in which you water the Fan-lipped orchid will depend somewhat on whether or not your plant is in an active growth phase. If so, you should apply water to your plant’s soil and, if the weather is warm, perform occasional overhead watering to allow the plant to absorb moisture through its leaves. By contrast, in winter, and when the weather is cool or wet generally, you should stick to watering the soil directly rather than including overhead watering as well. You’ll know your Fan-lipped orchid needs more water if its roots and leaves become thin and dry or show discoloration. Fan-lipped orchid receives too much water will look mushy and limp. You should grow your Fan-lipped orchid in a pot and ensure that the potting mix you use has fantastic drainage. During the growing season, you’ll need to water this plant multiple times per week. However, each watering should drain quickly through the growing medium to prevent any standing water. The amount of water you give will change based on the size of the pot you use. Generally, pots that are a bit larger will need water less frequently, while smaller pots will have a slightly more frequent watering schedule. Rainwater and distilled water are the best kinds of water to use for this plant, and it is best if the water you use matches the temperature of the air as closely as possible.
What should I do if I water my Fan-lipped orchid too much or too little?
Allowing your Fan-lipped orchid to sit in soil that remains too moist for too long is one of the most common ways to kill this plant. While these plants need water frequently during active growth, they also need to live in a growing medium that drains water rapidly. When this plant experiences overwatering, it will become mushy and develop root rot. If that occurs, you should be prepared to use a pair of sterile pruning shears to cut out any roots that show signs of rot. After doing that, you should then repot your Fan-lipped orchid, ensuring that the container allows for drainage and that you fill the container with a fast-draining potting mix. However, Fan-lipped orchid doesn’t typically respond that well to excessive repotting, so it is crucial to get your watering rate right. Underwatered Fan-lipped orchid will begin to shrivel and feel dry to the touch. If this occurs, it is likely because the soil is drying out faster than you expected, which means you should increase your watering frequency.
How often should I water my Fan-lipped orchid?
During the active growth stage, which spans the spring and summer months, you should plan to water your Fan-lipped orchid about once or twice per week while increasing that rate to three times per week or more in the case of long periods of hot and dry weather. In the winter, you will also need to water your Fan-lipped orchid, but not nearly as much. A watering frequency of two to three times per month should be enough to keep your Fan-lipped orchid alive during the coldest months. However, if you keep your Fan-lipped orchid indoors during winter, you should account for the fact that indoor growing locations can cause the soil to dry quicker than usual, which may mean you need to increase the number of monthly waterings. You can use the fall as a time to gradually reduce your watering frequency from the summer rate of multiple times per week down to your reduced winter watering schedule.
What should I consider when watering my Fan-lipped orchid in different seasons and growth periods?
There are two important growth phases that you should consider when planning the watering schedule for your Fan-lipped orchid. The first of those periods is the active growth period, which happens in spring and summer, and which calls for watering this plant multiple times per week. The second important growth period is the rest period that the Fan-lipped orchid should experience for about two to three months each year during winter. During that time, your plant will need far less water and fertilization than normal. Water about once or twice per month during this time. During the fall, you should begin to gradually reduce your watering frequency from multiple times per week all the way down to the once or twice per month rate that is appropriate for winter.
How should I water my Fan-lipped orchid differently if I grow it indoors?
The Fan-lipped orchid requires a growing environment that is relatively humid. Unfortunately, most indoor growing locations will lack the level of air moisture that this plant prefers. This causes the plant and its soil to dry out more quickly than it would when growing outdoors. To combat this effect, you may want to include a humidifier in the room where you grow your Fan-lipped orchid. You may also need to water it a bit more frequently as well. However, while Fan-lipped orchids do prefer humidity, they also require adequate air circulation as well, to prevent excessive moisture build-ups and the diseases that can result. Consider including a fan in the room where you grow this plant as well to ensure proper air circulation remains present.
What is the optimal temperature for Fan-lipped orchid?
The best temperature for Fan-lipped orchid depends on the time of year. There are two primary seasons to discuss for temperature: the growing season, and the dormancy season. During the growing season, once Fan-lipped orchid has begun to sprout, the ideal temperature range should be anywhere from 65~80℉(18~27℃). Any colder than 15℉(-10℃), and the plant will suffer; its leaves may brown and wilt, but if this is a short cold snap, then Fan-lipped orchid may be able to survive with some help. During the warmer parts of the year, Fan-lipped orchid will need to be similarly protected from temperatures that are too high. 95-105℉ (35-40℃) is the top of this plant’s temperature range, and anything above that will compromise the integrity of the foliage and blooms of Fan-lipped orchid. Hotter temperatures can cause wilting, drooping, and even sunburn on the leaves, which can be difficult for Fan-lipped orchid to recover from. There are quite a few ways to combat this issue that are quick and easy!
Temperature requirements for first year or seedling Fan-lipped orchid
If this is the first year of your Fan-lipped orchid outside as a new plant, then it may need a little extra tending during the coldest months of the year. Not only can frost more severely damage a first-year Fan-lipped orchid, but it can also prevent it from growing back as a healthy plant come spring. This plant needs to be kept at 40℉(5℃) or above when they’re not yet established, which can be done either by bringing your Fan-lipped orchid inside for a month or two, or putting up mulch or fabric barriers that protect from frost damage. It’s also a good idea to plant Fan-lipped orchid in a shadier spot during the first year or two, as smaller and weaker plants have a more difficult time maintaining their own temperatures in the heat. First-year Fan-lipped orchid should receive no more than five hours of direct sunlight per day, particularly if the ambient daytime temperature gets above 80℉(27℃). Shadecloth and frequent watering or misting are the keys to summer heat control.
How can I protect Fan-lipped orchid from extreme temperatures?
If cold temperatures (below 15℉(-10℃)) do occur during the growing season, there are a few measures you can take to help protect Fan-lipped orchid from frost or cold damage. If you’re growing Fan-lipped orchid in a container, then the container can simply be brought inside in bright, indirect light until the temperatures rise up over the lower threshold again. Another option that’s better suited for ground-planted Fan-lipped orchid is to use mulch or horticultural fabric to create an insulated barrier around the plant, which will protect the plant from frost and cold wind. For temperatures that are hotter than 80℉(27℃) in the shade during the day, be careful to only expose Fan-lipped orchid to six hours or less of sunlight per day, preferably in the morning hours. Putting up shade cloth, or a fine plastic mesh, can help reduce the amount of direct sunlight that hits the plant during the hottest parts of the day. You can also install a misting system that allows for a slow release of cooling mist around the base of the plant during the day to lower ground temperatures.
Dormant season temperature recommendations for Fan-lipped orchid
During the cold winter months, Fan-lipped orchid needs a certain measure of cold in order to stay in dormancy until it’s time to sprout. Sprouting too early, that is before the danger of the last frost has passed, can be fatal to Fan-lipped orchid, especially if it’s already had a head start when the frost hits. Winter temperatures should ideally stay below 32℉(0℃), but if they get up to 40℉(5℃), everything will be just fine. An unexpected warm spell during the cold months, which can happen in more temperate climates like woodland rainforests, can trigger a premature sprout from Fan-lipped orchid. In this case, if there’s still imminent danger of frost, you may want to try covering it with clear plastic on stakes so that the cold has less of a chance of damaging the new sprout. This setup can be removed when the danger of frost has passed. Occasionally, Fan-lipped orchid will be able to resprout at the correct time without any help, but this method increases the chances of a successful second sprouting.
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