Cultivation and Management Methods of Cypripedium guttatum
Today, I will elaborate on the contents related to Cypripedium guttatum, a type of orchid, including its cultivation and management methods. Let's follow the editor to see the specific details!
Cypripedium guttatum, also known as Line Art Spring Orchid, is a member of the national orchid family. It has a long history of cultivation in Yunnan Province, with a wide variety, extensive distribution, and abundant resources. After years of selection, cultivation, and development by orchid enthusiasts, some excellent varieties of Cypripedium guttatum have emerged, attracting attention from the orchid community and increasingly favored by orchid enthusiasts at home and abroad. Among them, the "Jade plum blossom" developed by Mr. Zhang Qilin, a member of the Dali Prefecture Orchid Association, combines crystal flowers, plum petals, flying shoulders, hard petals,晶莹 color, and strong fleshiness, making it one of the best varieties of Cypripedium guttatum.
I. Hardware and Software for Cultivation and Management
(A) Hardware Conditions for Cultivation and Management
1. Good lighting (preferably with the greenhouse facing east and south);
2. Good ventilation conditions: outdoor, indoor, and orchid pot ventilation (electric fans or exhaust fans can be used);
3. Good humidity environment indoors: sprinkling water on the ground, water curtains, etc.
(B) Software
1. Strong, disease-free seedlings;
2. Possessing certain orchid appreciation knowledge;
3. Possessing certain orchid cultivation and management knowledge.
II. Containers for Cultivation
1. Preferably use plastic pots: they must be breathable and easy to manage;
2. Terra cotta and tile pots are not the first choice.
III. Cultivation Substrate
1. Use刺栗叶, snake wood, raw granular red soil, sheep manure, charred soil, bark,植金石, etc. In principle, the leaves planted must be completely decomposed, and those that can grow fungi are better; sheep manure must also be fully decomposed, while other factors are not too demanding (Jiuzhou Hongmei's cultivation substrate consists of 70-85% leaves and 10-25% raw granular red soil or a bit of snake wood,植金石, sheep manure, bark, etc.);
2. The selected planting materials must be ventilated, breathable, water-filtering, and moderately fertilized.
IV. Cultivation Management
1. Water management. Water management is a top priority in orchid cultivation, and the quality of management determines the growth rate, seedling development, and health of the orchids.
Basic principles for watering time and temperature: neither a light nor heavy pot is the best time for watering, and there is no high requirement for water quality (usually tap water is fine). When watering, it is necessary to make the pot temperature, water temperature, and orchid room temperature as consistent as possible, either by showering or watering the edges of the pot. After watering, it is necessary to open the window or use an electric fan to dry the water on the leaves or in the bud hearts, or place them in a shaded and well-ventilated area to dry, and then place them on the pot shelf for daily management;
2. Ventilation. The ventilation of the orchid room is an important factor. The ventilation between the orchid room and the outdoors, the ventilation of the orchid pots in the room, and the气场 and air circulation in the orchid room are all closely related to the growth of orchids. The best ventilation is a gentle breeze that slightly sways the orchid leaves;
3. Temperature and humidity in the orchid room. Temperature and humidity are contradictory and coordinated. High temperature means low humidity, and low temperature means high humidity. Sprinkling water on the ground or using water curtains can better coordinate the contradiction between temperature and humidity. An orchid room temperature of 25-28°C and a relative humidity of 50-70% are the best growth conditions for orchids;
4. Light management. Curtains can be used in the orchid room, and shading nets can be used outdoors for light management. The shading rate can be around 60-85%, with the orchid leaves and pots receiving direct sunlight for a short time, preferably the first one or two hours of sunlight in the morning. Too much or too little sunlight is not conducive to orchid growth, easily causing leaf burns or root growth stagnation, leading to僵苗 and僵根;
5. The moss on the orchid pot must be kept moist to create a good and humid growth environment for the young seedlings and tender roots, preventing leaf tip burns or僵苗 conditions.
V. Issues such as Tip Burns, Uprooted Seedlings, and Stunted Growth in Cultivation Management
1. Tip burns. Mostly caused by improper watering timing (too dry or too wet), too large temperature differences between water, pot, and orchid room, which manifest as light white or light brown leaf tips; fertilizer damage can also cause tip burns, appearing as black leaf tips;
2. Uprooted seedlings. Improper control of water temperature during watering, with water accumulating in the heart of the seedlings, which, under rising temperatures or direct sunlight, causes dehydration and uprooted seedlings; other factors like old or diseased seedlings can also cause uprooted seedlings;
3. Stunted growth. Caused by excessively high or low watering temperatures, and the pot being strongly exposed to sunlight, leading to high pot temperatures and root growth stagnation, especially when frequently placed in high temperatures; conversely, placing them in low temperatures can also cause root growth stagnation, leading to stunted growth.
The above situations are generally caused by certain aspects of management not being in place or by issues with the orchid roots. To cultivate good orchids, one must take care of the roots. Cultivating orchids is a systematic project, with each step being important, and the quality of cultivation is determined by the management.
VI. Good Attitude of Cultivators
1. One must have a deeper understanding of the characteristics of the cultivated orchid varieties and must differentiate between the unique habits and growth patterns of each variety, avoiding the same cultivation management for different varieties without considering their unique characteristics, and not rushing the growth, seeking immediate results;
2. There must be a correct positioning and practical goals for the expectations of the cultivated orchids;
3. One must adhere to their own actual conditions, based on their cultivation environment and management habits, and develop a set of cultivation experience that suits their own situation, not changing their methods every time they hear something good from others, leading to confusion and being unable to cultivate;
4. The growth habits of Cypripedium guttatum have relatively low requirements for cultivation management. A bit of dryness does not matter much, and the seedling rate is generally not as good as that of莲瓣兰, but with the right cultivation method, some varieties like九州红梅 can achieve a seedling rate of 1:1 or 1:2, with considerable benefits.
The comprehensive knowledge explanation of the cultivation and management methods of Cypripedium guttatum (pictured) shared above is hoped to be of help to you.