Spring Forward
Northern gardeners who are enduring a long and snowy winter may take some solace that spring is arriving in San Francisco. The old Japanese Maple in the back garden is leafing out, and the leaves of my Sobralia have turned light green, telling me that the sun is strengthening. We had to endure some chilly temps at the beginning of the season, but otherwise it’s been a mild and rainy winter here. After a stormy day yesterday, the sun is out today. With spring coming by calendar and thermometer on the California coast, it’s time for some orchid chores.
- Move orchids from their brighter winter locales to the shade needed for spring and summer. For most orchids, if leaves are a light green color, then the orchid is receiving enough light to bloom.
- Keep an eye out for new leaf and root growth, which often starts after flowers finish. This is a good time to repot, if necessary.
- For dormant orchids, increase watering and fertilizing gradually. With deciduous orchids like Bletilla and Cycnoches, water new growth sparingly for the first few weeks. Too much water can rot new leaves.
- As always, maintain high humidity and good air movement around plants. New growth is especially susceptible to pests when the air is dry or stagnant.
- For growers in colder climates, continue to watch for pests, keep plants in brighter light, and take heart that the long winter shall pass.
Explore posts in the same categories: Dormancy, Fertilizing, Growing, Problems, Watering
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March 15th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
I’m happy that Spring is starting SOMEWHERE, ’cause it sure ain’t here.
March 16th, 2010 at 7:13 am
I don’t understand when I’m supposed to know to repot my orchid. I don’t know what new growth looks like.
March 27th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
hey drew m – there’s a page on potting http://www.aboutorchids.com/care/details/potting.html
thanks for the great post. I live on one of those colder climates you mentioned 🙁
April 4th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Good post! Thanks for the info.
April 10th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Happy Spring! What a good tip to watch the color of the leaves change lighter green.
April 11th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Remember to repot in the spring also.
April 14th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
[…] the days grow longer with spring, the season brings some orchid chores, including repotting. Orchid repotting can be intimidating for beginning growers, so in addition to […]