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Orchid Care for the month of May

Greetings and good day. Wish and hope everyone is busy in their own ways during this lockdown. Orchids need a lot of attention during this month and orcoholics have a lot of work during this month and help is always welcome from family members and children.

Though we might have passed the peak of dry summer, it is expected to be hot. humidity is still lower than one would expect.

A few things to do this month

1) Water well twice or thrice a day till day time humidity is above 40%.

2) If you have misters/foggers ensure that they are working and covering maximum grow area.

3) Days where it rains, ensure that there is sufficient air movement as persistent dampness would be ideal weather for bacterial infections.

4) Dampness would also invite slugs and snails and keep a close watch on them. Visit the grow area in the night and catch and dispose.

5) Most of the deciduous species are picking up growth and hence water and start feeding them well. more robust roots they put out they would help pickup vegetative growth.

6) Most of the Vandas/Aerides would be in spike or about to spike, feed them well to ensure that they have sufficient energy reserves to sustain their blooms.

7) Mites would be a problem in drier areas and many orchids are mite magnets (Grammatophyllum, Phalaenopsis, Catesetum, Thunia and many more). check the underside of the leaves for symptoms and treat it with appropriate control

8) Deciduous species like Catasetum, Thunia, Lycaste, Habenaria, Calanthe would be waking up/woken up already from dormancy. Water little when they  are just started growing and start increasing the watering and fertilization as they start growing fast.

9) Start feeding NPK and micronutrients at a half dose till establishing of good roots. Calcium and Magnesium can be fed alternative weeks.

10) Avoid using any oil based pesticide (Neem oil, Horticulture oil) /growth enhancers (Fish emulsion) during this season of peak summer. Use alternative options where available

Stay safe and Happy orchidding…its a wonderful day to grow orchids

Species of the Month

Culture: This species has two distinct seasons in its natural habitat. During its growing season it receives copious rain fall and fertilization and winters are dry and cold. This species is deciduous in nature and remains dormant during winter and blooms in early spring on upper nodes of its leafless canes.
Fairly easy to grow in Bangalore.Grow the plant in bright light and keep it moist and fertilize during the growing season. Withhold fertilization during winter and regularly mist the canes to keep the canes from shriveling.
Blooms once a year in spring and blooms can last 2-3 weeks in good care.
Could be grown as mounted or potted but does well if mounted.

Pictures and Article: Sriram Kumar