Applications of succinic acid for orchids

Many flower growers are aware of the positive effects of succinic acid on house flowers.

This crystalline substance is colorless, has a sour taste, and is found in many plant crops. In nature, the acid is also found in resins, brown coal, and amber, which gives it its name, since it was first isolated from amber several centuries ago.

Modern technologies make it possible to extract acid not only in the old way, from amber, but also to synthesize it artificially. This makes the production much cheaper, but the composition of the acid obtained does not change. On sale, this substance appears in the form of white powder or odorless tablets, found both in pharmacies and in stores for gardeners.

Florists use succinic acid for various tasks – soil disinfection, stimulation of growth and rooting, etc. Orchid lovers also often resort to the help of this substance.

Properties of amber acid

Amber acid has many properties that are beneficial to plants. It has a positive effect on metabolism, promotes energy production, protects plant cells, and stimulates respiratory processes. The action of the acid is directed precisely to those areas that need support the most. At the same time, the excess substance does not accumulate either in the soil or in the cells of the plant itself. In the soil, the acid is broken down into simple elements that are quickly assimilated by the flower.

This makes such a supplement safe and environmentally friendly. In addition, the acid is inexpensive and available for purchase. But before buying, it is important to make sure that the remedy is purchased in pure form or as part of a plant-appropriate preparation. Pharmacy complex dietary supplements that include succinic acid are intended for people and, in addition to the necessary component, may also contain substances that are harmful to plants. Tableted form also includes some additives (ascorbic acid, starch, etc.), but their percentage is small and does not allow for a significant effect on flowers.

For flowers, powders or tablets of acid are usually dissolved in warm water. It can also be part of ready-made complex plant care products. The solution is used for both vegetable and ornamental crops. Depending on the specific type and task, the dosage of the solution and the frequency of its application will also vary.

One of the house flowers most responsive to the introduction of succinic acid is orchids. These spectacular epiphytic flowers require certain conditions for normal growth in the apartment. If the care instructions are not followed, the orchids often become ill or simply produce too many leaves and no flowers. Amber acid helps to strengthen the immunity of the orchid and also activates its internal development processes.

Because of their open spines, such plants respond particularly quickly to the application of this substance. Acid does not replace the usual feedings, but makes them more effective, and also has a positive effect on the soil composition and immunity of the flower. Most often it is used in the cultivation of orchids of the genus Phalaenopsis.

What amber acid is used for

If the dosage is observed, there is no detrimental effect on the flowers of this substance. You can use succinic acid if the orchids are sick or weakened, need transplanting, or poorly absorb nutrients from the soil. In addition to strengthening the plant itself, such treatments also have a good effect on the soil composition. Adding acid helps to eliminate toxic substances in the soil, improves the microflora, and promotes quick assimilation of the nutrients applied during fertilization. Thus, succinic acid is very useful for orchids and solves many different problems:

• Stimulating regeneration processes when the above-ground part is damaged by heat or frost;
• Strengthening the immunity of weakened plants, accelerating their regeneration, and reanimating dying orchids;
• Restore plants after a stressful situation: moving, transplanting, etc;
• Developing resistance to external unfavorable conditions – bright sun, lack or excess of moisture in the soil, cold weather, etc;
• Photosynthesis acceleration;
• Stimulation of chlorophyll production, responsible for the rate of development and attractiveness of plants;
• Restoring the elasticity of leaves and their saturation with moisture;
• Positive effect on the abundance and duration of flowering of orchids due to the adjustment of metabolic processes within the plant;
• Activation of root growth, especially important for young specimens still building up their root system;
• Stimulation of root growth of cuttings and increase of their survival rate – the action of the acid is similar to that of root formation stimulators;
• Improvement of seed germination;
• Improving soil health and balancing its composition;
• Accelerating the absorption of fertilizers.

How to dilute succinic acid for orchids

The positive effect of succinic acid for Phalaenopsis and other orchid species depends largely on compliance with the dosage and rules of solution preparation. Ready-made liquid formulations for flowers based on succinic acid may include their own instructions for use. In other cases, the solution is prepared according to the following recipes.

Solution from tablets

If amber acid was purchased in tablets, the first thing to do is to grind them to a powder. This can be done without taking the tablets out of the package. They are crushed with a hammer or mortar, and then dissolve obtained from 1 tablet (0.1 g of active ingredient) powder in a glass of hot water – cold water will not dissolve it.

After stirring the solution properly, add it to room temperature water up to the desired volume for watering. Healthy orchids use 0.5 to 1 liter of water, and for weak or diseased – about 0.25 liter. The solution should be warm.

Solution from powder

Buying a ready-made powder eliminates the need to grind pills, but makes dosing a little more difficult. 1 g of powder is designed to dissolve in 5 liters of water. If you don’t have a scale handy, you can scoop out some powder with the tip of a knife – that amount will be about the same as one tablet. As in the case with the crushed tablet, it is diluted in a small amount of hot water and brings the volume of the composition to 0.5 liters for healthy flowers and up to 0.25 liters for sick flowers.

Helpful hints

It is not recommended to use aluminum cookware to prepare the solution. Glass or plastic is better suited for this purpose. You can dilute succinic acid even in a food container – this substance is not harmful to people, and even on the contrary – can be beneficial.

Do not keep the resulting solution longer than 2-3 days – after that, it loses its useful properties. Pour the remainder into a non-transparent container, seal it, and put it in a cool place, away from heat sources. The most effective is considered to be a freshly prepared solution – the composition begins to gradually lose strength a few hours after dilution, so it is easier to immediately calculate the necessary dosage of the powder, and for the next treatment, prepare the solution anew.

How to use amber acid for orchids

Amber acid is also used by experienced flower growers, but especially it can be useful for beginners. The solution is used to treat different parts of the plant and can be applied in different ways. But each of these methods has its own peculiarities, ignorance of which can reduce the benefits of the procedure to zero.

Orchid root treatment

When transplanting Phalaenopsis into another container, its roots can be treated with a solution of acid to accelerate the acclimation in the new place. The treatment will also prevent the development of rot.

If the bush is healthy, its root system is placed in a container with a freshly prepared solution for about half an hour. To prepare the solution, take 1 tablet of the product to 0.5 liters of water.

If a diseased and weakened plant in need of urgent rescue measures is transplanted, its roots are inspected beforehand, removing all damaged or rotted areas. After that, the rest of the root system is immersed in a fresh solution for 2-3 hours (depending on the degree of damage, but no more than 4 hours). To increase the flow of air to the roots, pull them out of the solution every half hour for about 5 minutes. After such a treatment, the roots are dried properly, leaving the plant in the air for a couple of hours. The orchid is then transplanted into a clean pot with disinfected soil. Rooting usually takes about a couple of weeks, after which Phalaenopsis actively starts to grow. Root pre-planting treatment allows the bushes to bloom faster, forming a larger number of large flowers.

Watering the orchid with succinic acid

If the plant does not need transplanting, you can apply the solution through watering. For this purpose, 1 tablet of acid is diluted in 1 liter of water. Watering is recommended in the morning, so that by night time the soil has had time to dry out a little. Orchids are watered from a watering can with a narrow neck without a diffuser. The solution is poured in a thin stream into the pot, gradually wetting the entire surface of the soil. When the water begins to trickle through the drainage holes, watering ends. After the excess liquid drains off, pour it out of the tray.

You can also water an orchid by dipping. A healthy plant is soaked in the solution for about half an hour 1-2 times a month. If the plant is flowering or resting, these treatments are not carried out.

If flowers are grown in a container without drainage holes, they are also watered from a watering can. In order not to overwater the soil, when the soil is completely saturated, the cache gently tilts, pouring the excess solution over the top. To avoid damaging the plant, it is carefully held with the other hand.

Treating the leaves

Amber acid works wonders! It will revitalize orchids and make them bloom all year round!

A solution of succinic acid can also be used to treat leaves. If you rub them, the acid can be absorbed by the orchid through the pores.

A similar method of feeding is also suitable for plants with damaged or yellowed leaves. In such cases, in a strong (1 tablet per 0.25 liters of water) solution of acid wet an absorbent cotton or cotton cloth and wipe the leaves of the flower in the morning with it until the full restoration of their turgor. It is important that during such procedures, the solution does not get into the base of the rosette and leaves. Drops on the leaves also can not be left, they are removed with a dry napkin.

In addition to wiping the leaves, it can be periodically sprayed. For this purpose, 1 tablet of water is dissolved in 0.5 liters of water. Such treatments stimulate the development of fresh shoots. Especially quickly young shoots start to grow – the acid stimulates the development of already formed plant tissues in the strongest way. To encourage flowering, spray daily in the morning until the buds appear. Sick orchids are sprayed once every couple of days until a positive effect occurs. Prophylactic spraying or wiping can be done once a week.

As with watering, amber acid is not used on flowering or resting orchids.