Orchid Fertilization and Selection
You may not be familiar with the related content of orchids, a member of the orchid family. Orchid fertilization and selection are very good pieces of practical knowledge, and it is recommended to collect them! March is the season of warm weather and blooming flowers, with the temperature generally rising significantly. On sunny days, the average temperature is above 10℃ (a few days ago, it was abnormally 25℃, and then dropped to minus 3℃). This year, during the particularly low temperature period, the blooming season of spring orchids is almost over. Most of the Huai orchids are also in the period of flowering. As the saying goes, "After the惊蛰 (Jing She, the day when insects resume activity), trees recover and a hundred plants germinate." Now in mid-March, the buds of orchids are accelerating their growth (germination), and therefore, they start to absorb various fertilizers. When repotting and changing the planting materials, if no base fertilizer has been applied or no repotting and material changing has been done, the base fertilizer should be supplemented at the mouth of the pot to supply the nutrients needed for the orchid to sprout and take root in time. At this time, the methods of fertilization are various, such as base fertilizer, top dressing, foliar spray, and so on. The choice of fertilizers also varies, including organic fertilizers, inorganic fertilizers, micro-fertilizers, bacterial fertilizers, and hormone fertilizers.
At this time, the author is also not an exception, buried "Zhixiang" and "Active Soil" 1 centimeter below the surface of the pot. The dosage is 3-5 granules of "Zhixiang" and the corresponding amount (3-5 granules) of "Active Soil" near the pseudobulb for a 10-centimeter pot opening; for a 15-centimeter pot opening, apply 8-10 granules of "Zhixiang" and the same method for "Active Soil"; for a 20-centimeter pot opening, apply about 15 granules of "Zhixiang" and the same method for "Active Soil". The purpose of applying additional base fertilizer this time is for pots that have not been repotted. For pots that have been repotted, the base fertilizer has already been applied during the operation of changing the planting materials. Other fertilizers should be applied as needed and are not considered uniformly. For example, restorative fertilizers after flowering and bud-promoting fertilizers.
In view of this, the following will discuss the selection and application of several fertilizers:
I. Organic Fertilizers
Organic fertilizers are full-element nutrient fertilizers rich in organic matter and trace elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, sodium, aluminum, lithium, strontium, chlorine, ammonia, sulfur, boron, molybdenum ore, nitrate, salt, etc. The sources of organic fertilizers are not limited to two: one is self-prepared by orchid friends, who collect and compost the organs (leftovers) and excrement of poultry, aquatic animals, and plant stalks, with the composting time depending on the situation, some taking several years to start using. This is one of the ancient methods of making organic fertilizers. Due to the smell of pollution and malodorous odors, the proportion of production and use has greatly decreased. The other is industrially produced commercial organic fertilizers with little smell and properly sterilized, which can completely replace the advantages of homemade organic fertilizers and are the preferred choice for most indoor or balcony growers. Currently available commercial organic fertilizers include "Zhixiang" (solid), "Xishuo" (liquid), "Gaocui" (liquid), and "Fish Extract" (liquid).
The characteristics of organic fertilizers are slow absorption, long-lasting efficacy, and comprehensive nutrition, so they are commonly used in the post-flowering restoration period.
II. Inorganic Fertilizers
Inorganic fertilizers are chemical fertilizers without organic matter, such as: Flower Bao series, Haokangduo, Mo Fei, Duomiao, Aomiao, urea, superphosphate, calcium carbonate, etc. Inorganic fertilizers generally act quickly, are easy to decompose and absorb, and are best alternated with organic fertilizers.
III. Micro-fertilizers
In addition to needing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium as nutrients, plant bodies also need to absorb a small amount of elements such as boron, arsenic, manganese, copper, cobalt, molybdenum, etc., which are collectively referred to here as micro-fertilizers. The so-called deficiency symptoms are the lack of trace elements, and the supplementation of micro-fertilizers is generally done by foliar spraying. In fact, most micro-fertilizers can be obtained from organic fertilizers, and the lack of micro-fertilizers is the result of relying on inorganic fertilizers. The mixture of soil particles (orchid soil, Xian soil, peat soil, etc.) in the planting material, combined with the use of organic fertilizers, does not cause such problems, so there is no need to pay too much attention to the lack of micro-fertilizers.
IV. Bacterial Fertilizers
Bacterial fertilizers here specifically refer to a type of bacteria that symbioses with orchids, which are now artificially synthesized biological preparations such as "Orchid King", etc. They can be sprayed or watered.
V. Hormone Fertilizers
The hormones mentioned here refer to cytokinins and other substances used on orchids, such as various bud-promoting and root-boosting agents, Qianwang Vigor素, etc. These fertilizers are generally used for increasing yield. They can be sprayed or watered, and should not be relied upon for use.
VI. Gas Fertilizers
Gas fertilizers are a type of carbon disulfide gas, generally used in greenhouse vegetables, and recently some people are experimenting with it on orchids. The advantages are that it is low in dosage, cost-effective, and quick to take effect.
In orchid cultivation, the principle of fertilization is to apply thin and frequent fertilizers (as with all the above fertilizers). We encourage bold exploration in the use of fertilizers and mastering the right amount will be事半功倍. Raising good orchids is our common theme, and at the same time, we welcome orchid enthusiasts to discuss this issue. Due to the limited level of the author, please understand!
以上就是关于兰花施肥及选择的具体介绍，希望给养花爱好者们带来一些花卉知识。