How to care for orchids to achieve the best results
Let me tell you about the best way to care for orchids and the correct methods for beginners to grow orchids, as well as related topics about orchid cultivation. Below, I will introduce the details for you.
By Rain in Snow
Recently, many friends have inquired about how to cultivate orchids well. Actually, this question has been discussed many times. For experienced orchid growers, it may not be a problem, but for beginners, it is a knowledge point that needs to be urgently understood and mastered.
So, how exactly can orchids be cultivated well? What common-sense issues need to be considered? Now, let's follow my thoughts and explore the art of orchid cultivation together.
One, choose the right planting material.
Cultivating orchids, the selection of planting material is crucial. As the saying goes, "First, grow the roots of the orchid," "Strong roots make the orchid thrive." Orchid roots are fleshy aerial roots, which have special requirements for the soil for their growth and propagation. The soil needs to be loose and breathable, fertile and well-draining, and should also have a large number of probiotics. Therefore, the soil for planting orchids must be similar to the soil where wild orchids grow, rich in humus and organic matter, with good drainage and aeration, and slightly acidic soil properties, generally with a pH value of around 5.5 to 6.5. In such soil, the crystal head of orchid roots can absorb nutrients sufficiently under the action of probiotics, making the entire plant green and the flowers fragrant. So, how to prepare the planting material for home-grown orchids? Generally, a mixture of 60% humus soil + 30% planting stone + 10% coconut bran is used. You can also buy special orchid planting material from the花鸟 market. No matter what formula is used for orchid planting material, it must meet the growth needs of orchids, that is: loose and breathable, good drainage and moisture retention, and long-lasting fertilizer efficiency, all of which are indispensable.
Two, carefully consider environmental factors.
Creating an original ecological growth environment for orchids is another important factor in successful cultivation. Especially when caring for orchids on a city balcony, it is necessary to create a small original ecological environment to ensure that the orchids grow vigorously and bloom fragrant flowers every year. So how to establish such a breeding environment? First, enhance ventilation and aeration. Especially in enclosed or semi-enclosed balconies, it is necessary to create a suitable growth environment for orchids. For example, install sliding windows on the balcony that can be opened for ventilation at any time; also install ceiling fans or fans to create ventilation conditions. Especially during the high summer temperatures, orchids should be able to receive gentle breezes at any time. Second, increase the humidity of the environment. The environment for orchid growth needs to have suitable temperature and humidity, especially in spring, summer, and autumn when the air is dry. In the morning, you can use a spray bottle to mist the orchids to increase humidity, or use a humidifier to improve the dryness and humidity in the small environment. If conditions allow, you can build a red brick water storage tank on the balcony ground, fill it with about 1 centimeter of clear water to artificially increase air humidity. You can also use an 800mm diameter fish tank to raise freshwater ornamental fish on the balcony, which not only allows you to enjoy the fish swimming but also increases the air humidity on the balcony. Using the fish tank water to water the plants (note: do not add salt to the fish tank water) is a win-win idea. Friends who enjoy growing orchids on their balconies might want to try it.
Four, nutritional supplements should be light.
In the mountains and fields of the south, we have observed the survival conditions of wild orchids. Apart from rainwater, no one fertilizes or waters wild orchids, yet they grow very well. This is because the soil is rich in humus, which can basically meet the physiological needs of orchids. Therefore, when we grow orchids at home, we can imitate the natural conditions in the wild and frequently provide orchids with dilute fertilizer water, maintaining the basic nutritional supply for potted orchids. The sources of fertilizer can be homemade orchid fertilizers, such as using water from freshwater fish tanks to supplement water for orchids, fermenting fish scales, fish intestines, and fish fins in large plastic bottles, fermenting cooked soybeans, and using leftover tea, rice washing water, and banana peels, all of which can be placed in bottles or plastic buckets for fermentation. To reduce the smell of fermented fertilizer water, you can add orange or tangerine peels to the bottle during fermentation, which can significantly reduce the stench. Fermented fishy water is rich in phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, fermented soybeans and rice washing water are rich in nitrogen fertilizers, and fermented tea and banana peel water are rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers. Adding orange or tangerine peels for fermentation results in good nutritional fertilizer, and the acidic substances released from these peels can improve the soil pH, acting as a good acid-base neutralizer for orchid planting materials, which is truly a win-win situation. However, when using homemade fertilizer water to fertilize orchids, it must be diluted at a ratio of 1:1000 before application. Avoid using concentrated or raw fertilizers to prevent root damage. If making homemade fertilizer is too troublesome, you can also buy ready-made orchid nutrient solutions or slow-release fertilizers from the花鸟 market and follow the instructions on the packaging for fertilization.
Five, light intensity should be appropriate.
Light intensity greatly affects the photosynthesis of orchids. Although orchids prefer shady conditions, insufficient light can affect the number of flowers and the intensity of their fragrance. Therefore, in winter and early spring, full-day lighting should be provided, and in the hot summer sun, two layers of shading nets should be used to shade the orchids. In autumn, orchids can be exposed to half-day sunlight in the morning.
Six, pest control should not be neglected.
The main diseases and pests of orchids usually occur at the end of spring and the beginning of summer, and sometimes also in autumn and winter. To prevent orchids from being eroded by diseases and pests, it is necessary to start sterilizing and eliminating overwintering eggs in early spring. This can prevent problems before they start and ensure that orchids safely pass through the high-risk periods of diseases and pests, as well as promote healthy growth throughout the year. The specific requirements are: use methyl thiophanate or carbendazim (choose one) and dilute it with water at a ratio of 1:1500, then water the orchids every 10-15 days to sterilize the roots, and spray the leaves and pseudobulbs with a 1000-fold solution of the fungicide. Combine with insecticides such as spodoptera, akate, and Huakang No. 1 to eliminate hidden eggs in the leaves and stems. Alternate the use of different liquids to prevent resistance from developing. Change the fungicides and insecticides every month to ensure effective and thorough control.
Did you understand the detailed introduction of how to care for orchids to achieve the best results and the correct methods for beginners to grow orchids shared above?