How to plant and care for Dendrobium officinale at home
An article with detailed introduction on how to plant and care for Dendrobium officinale at home will be presented by the editor next.
## Complete Guide to Home Planting and Care of Dendrobium officinale Dendrobium officinale is a precious tonic Chinese herbal medicine with high health benefits and a high market demand. In recent years, home planting of Dendrobium officinale has become popular, both for medicinal purposes and as an ornamental plant. This article will provide a detailed introduction to the home planting methods and care techniques for Dendrobium officinale, helping enthusiasts successfully cultivate high-quality Dendrobium officinale.
### I. Growth Environment Requirements for Dendrobium officinale 1. Temperature Dendrobium officinale prefers a warm and humid environment, with a suitable growth temperature of 15-28℃. When the temperature exceeds 35℃ in summer, shading and cooling are required, and in winter, when the temperature drops below 5℃, it should be moved indoors or insulation measures should be taken to prevent frostbite. 2. Light Dendrobium officinale prefers scattered light and avoids direct strong sunlight. In summer, 50%-70% shading is required, while in spring and autumn, light can be increased appropriately, and in winter, when the sun is mild, it can be exposed to full scattered light all day. 3. Humidity The suitable air humidity is 60%-80%. Home planting can increase humidity through misting or using a humidifier to control environmental humidity, especially during dry seasons. 4. Ventilation Good ventilation conditions help reduce the occurrence of diseases and pests and prevent root rot caused by a damp environment.
### II. Home Planting Methods for Dendrobium officinale #### 1. Choosing the Right Planting Substrate Dendrobium officinale is an epiphytic plant, and its roots need to be ventilated, so ordinary garden soil is not suitable. The following substrates are recommended: - Tree bark chunks (such as pine bark, camphor bark), which need to be soaked and sterilized in advance. - Sphagnum moss, which has good water retention and is suitable for beginners. - Charcoal + gravel, which has good ventilation and is suitable for humid southern regions. - Coconut bran + perlite, which is light and has good water retention and ventilation.
#### 2. Choosing the Planting Container It is recommended to use breathable pots such as ceramic pots, purple sand pots, or special orchid pots.木板 or snake木板 can also be used for fixed planting. The bottom should have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging and root rot.
#### 3. Planting Steps - Handling Seedlings: Purchase healthy and disease-free tissue culture seedlings or division seedlings with well-developed roots. If it is a bare-root seedling, it can be soaked in clean water for 30 minutes before planting. - Laying the Substrate: Place碎石 or ceramsite at the bottom of the container to enhance drainage, then lay the substrate and press lightly to fix it. - Planting: Spread the roots of Dendrobium officinale and cover the substrate to the junction of the root and stem, slightly pressing. - Watering to Settle Roots: After planting, water thoroughly and place in a shady and well-ventilated area to slow down the seedlings for 1-2 weeks.
### III. Home Care Techniques for Dendrobium officinale #### 1. Watering Management - Growing Season (Spring and Summer): Keep the substrate moist, watering every 3-5 days, avoiding waterlogging. - Dormant Season (Autumn and Winter): Reduce watering, once every 7-10 days, with the substrate slightly dry. - Misting to Increase Humidity: Mist 1-2 times a day in dry summer, reducing frequency in winter.
#### 2. Fertilization Method - Fertilizing in the Growing Season: Apply a diluted orchid special fertilizer or organic fertilizer (such as decomposed cake fertilizer water) once every 2 weeks, with the concentration controlled at 0.1%-0.2%. - Before and After Flowering: Increase phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (such as monopotassium phosphate) to promote flowering. - Stop Fertilizing in the Dormant Season: Stop fertilizing in winter to avoid root burn.
#### 3. Pruning and Division - Pruning Old Stems: Cut off the withered old stems every spring to promote the germination of new buds. - Division Propagation: Mature plants 3-4 years old can be divided, retaining 3-5 strong stems per clump and replanting.
#### 4. Disease and Pest Control - Common Diseases: Soft rot, T-J disease, which can be prevented by enhancing ventilation and reducing watering; when the disease occurs, spray with carbendazim or benzylpenicillin. - Common Pests: Scale insects, red spiders, which can be wiped with alcohol cotton or sprayed with abamectin to kill.
### IV. Harvesting and Storage of Dendrobium officinale 1. Harvesting Time It can be harvested after 2-3 years of planting, with the best time being autumn when the stems are full and the gum is rich. 2. Processing Method - Fresh stems can be eaten directly or juiced. - Drying: Wash and dry in the sun or low-temperature drying, made into Dendrobium officinale or sliced for storage.
### V. Frequently Asked Questions 1. What to do if the leaves turn yellow? It may be due to excessive watering, too much light, or lack of fertilizer, and the care conditions need to be adjusted. 2. Why doesn't it bloom? Insufficient light, excessive nitrogen fertilizer, or not experiencing a low-temperature dormant period (keeping about 10℃ for 1-2 months in winter).
Through scientific planting and care, Dendrobium officinale can thrive in a home environment, beautifying the living space and serving as a natural health product. With patient management, one can certainly harvest healthy and high-quality Dendrobium officinale plants.
The above is a comprehensive introduction to how to plant and care for Dendrobium officinale at home, hoping to bring some knowledge about green plants to green plant enthusiasts.