How to Repot Mo Lan
Mo Lan is favored by horticulture enthusiasts for its elegant flower posture and refreshing fragrance. Regular repotting is key to maintaining its healthy growth. Mastering the correct repotting method for Mo Lan not only promotes root development but also achieves multiplication through division. This article will systematically analyze the golden timing and professional techniques for repotting Mo Lan.
Four Core Steps of Repotting Mo Lan
Choosing the Best Repotting Cycle
September to October in autumn is the golden period for repotting Mo Lan, as the temperature is stable between 18-25°C and the air humidity around 60% is most beneficial for root repair. Avoid repotting during the spring flowering period (January to March) to prevent bud drop, high summer temperatures (>30°C) which can cause root rot, and low winter temperatures (<10°C) which inhibit the germination of new roots.
Scientific Division Operation Specifications
When removing the pot, invert the pot and gently tap the sides, retaining 1/3 of the protective soil for safety. Each division should ensure 3-5 pseudobulbs, and use a pair of scissors disinfected with alcohol to cut off blackened and rotten roots, retaining healthy white roots. Tools used on diseased plants must be re-disinfected after treatment to avoid cross-contamination.
Planting Material Ratio and Treatment
Recommended formula: pine bark (40%) + volcanic rock (25%) + stone (20%) + decomposed leaf soil (15%). The planting material should be soaked for 48 hours in advance, with the pH value controlled between 5.5-6.5. A 3cm layer of ceramic stones should be placed at the bottom of the pot for drainage, and a layer of slow-release fertilizer granules in the middle.
Key Post-Repotting Care
After planting, water thoroughly with a settling water solution (can add 1000 times the amount of carbendazim). Maintain scattered light for the first two weeks, keeping the air humidity around 70%. Do not use fertilizer before new buds sprout, and only apply 3000 times the concentration of special orchid liquid fertilizer after new roots grow 2cm long.
Advanced Techniques for Repotting Mo Lan
Plants that have not been repotted for over two years should have 1/3 of their old leaves cut to reduce transpiration, and the wounds should be covered with wood ash. The interval for repotting in porcelain pots should be half a year shorter than in plastic pots due to significant differences in breathability. Special varieties like Jin Zui Mo Lan are recommended to retain more of the original soil ball.
Scientific repotting can increase the number of Mo Lan flowers by 40% and the germination rate of new seedlings by 60%. Mastering the timing of division and the ratio of planting materials, combined with post-repotting temperature and humidity management, will keep your Mo Lan always vibrant and blooming with fragrant elegance every year.