Month wise Care & Tips for Orchid Culture in Bangalore
August 2014
- The day temperatures for the month in and around Bangalore will be around 28-30 °C, though there has been lows of around 19 °C. However, the rainfall has been good and most of the time will be cloudy. The RH would be around 50-60 %. These conditions are ideal for orchid growth
- But with continuous rains/drizzle and clouds, if you are growing in green house, provide aeration for the stagnant air which is heavy with moisture
- This stagnant air could be ideal condition for onset of diseases
- Phalaenopsis hybrids have started putting out spikes, right from its initiation stake it so that the flower development will be good and well presented
- Some of the Vandas, Mokaras, Odontoglossums are in bloom
- If you observe any disease cut that portion and apply cinnamon powder
- It is also time for propagation of back bulbs of Cymbidiums, Oncidiums. For propagation only use those bulbs which have already flowered and ensure that there are sufficient bulbs to store moisture and nutrition for the growing ones. Do not remove excess bulbs from the mother plants as it will weaken the plant
Propagation of Oncidium through back bullb - The same method of propagation can be used for Dendrobiums also
Propagation of Dendrobium through old canes 
propagation of Bulbophyllum through back bulbs - Continue with fertilising the plants with NPK for growth and those which have matured can receive low N, more P & K
- Still the problem of slugs & snails continues, use metaldehyde with an interval of 10 days
- Resort to re pot only if the flowering is completed
By Dr. K.S.Shashidhar