Methods to Increase the Germination Rate of Orchids
Today, let's introduce some knowledge about orchids, a type of plant from the Orchidaceae family, specifically focusing on methods to increase the germination rate of orchids. Follow the editor to learn more!
Most orchid enthusiasts hope for more orchid sprouts, which involves addressing how to increase the seedling rate of orchids. Based on personal experience in growing orchids, I believe efforts should be made in the following aspects.
Firstly, ensure healthy roots and strong seedlings
The new sprouts of orchids grow from the pseudobulbs, which are the mother plants for the orchid's root development, germination, leaf growth, bud formation, and flowering. Although theoretically, each mature plant can produce about 6 orchid sprouts, in general, only one sprout is produced per plant, and only strong, leafy plants can produce twin sprouts or even more, while the rest of the bud points remain dormant. It is evident that improving orchid cultivation techniques to make the orchids flourish is the fundamental prerequisite for increasing the germination rate of orchids.
Secondly, reasonable division of plants
In China, asexual propagation methods such as division are commonly used for the reproduction of national orchids. When there are too many orchids in a pot, the lack of nutrients will inevitably lead to fewer and weaker sprouts. Therefore, there is an old saying in orchid cultivation: "Combine the weak ones and divide the strong ones." It is necessary to divide the plants in a timely and reasonable manner, which is the main and most basic method to increase the germination rate of orchids.
Thirdly, planting old grass separately to promote germination
Generally, old grass with good roots can produce nutrients and transport them to the next generation, promoting the growth and development of new seedlings; while old grass without roots or with poor roots cannot produce nutrients on its own and relies on new plants for nutrition, which is harmful to the growth and germination of new plants. These old plants must be planted separately, generally with about 3 seedlings.
Fourthly, twisting the pseudobulbs
The specific method is to twist the pseudobulbs 90 to 180 degrees in opposite directions during the late autumn or early spring when dividing and repotting, so that the connecting stems are in a semi-separated state but not completely twisted off. The injured area should be promptly treated with methylthiophanate to prevent bacterial infection, and then the plant is repotted. In this semi-separated state, the pseudobulbs of the grandparent, parent, and offspring generations can each produce new sprouts. However, this method is only suitable for larger pseudobulbs of spring orchids, black orchids, and Jian orchids, while it is not suitable for small pseudobulbs, short connecting stems, and丛-growing Huai orchids and spring swords.
Fifthly, single-plant propagation
This should be done in late autumn or early winter, or in late spring and early summer, and can be achieved without repotting by cutting the connecting stems. The steps are: remove the growing medium above the pseudobulbs to expose the connecting stem between them, cut the connecting stem with a sterilized scissor or scalpel, treat the wound with methylthiophanate, let it dry for two to three hours, and then fill with sterilized growing medium.
Sixthly, using plant growth regulators
The use of orchid germination promoters can significantly increase the germination rate of new seedlings and old grass, allowing for two to four generations of seedlings in a year. However, the buds promoted can only grow into mature seedlings in particularly advantageous modern greenhouses using various nutrient solutions; in natural or semi-natural environments, only strong buds can grow normally. Also, new grass promoted by hormones may have already exhausted its energy and may not germinate normally in natural environments the following year, usually requiring a year of rest before normal germination occurs.
Seventhly, appropriate thinning of buds
Orchid enthusiasts should thin the buds of weak plants and retain the strong ones based on the strength of the orchids in the pot. After the winter solstice, new flower buds and the buds of the later-generation plants should be thinned in time. Generally, two to three flower buds should be retained for strong spring orchids in a full pot, and one for Huai orchids, allowing nutrients to be concentrated and beneficial for increasing the germination rate of orchids.
Eighthly, appropriate rainwater in spring
Spring rain is irreplaceable for plant growth. Practice has proven that as long as the air pollution in the place of residence is not severe, half an hour after rain in spring, air pollutants are significantly reduced, and orchids can benefit greatly from rainwater.
Ninthly, appropriately shortening the dormancy period of orchids
Orchids experience two dormancy periods in a year, in summer and winter. By appropriately shortening the dormancy period of orchids, it is possible to achieve more germination. Specific methods include: starting from the beginning of spring, raising the temperature of the orchid house to above 15°C for about a month to promote early germination, and during the midsummer when the temperature in the orchid house exceeds 30°C, try to lower the temperature of the small environment to around 25°C to shorten the summer dormancy period and extend the growth period.
The specific content of the methods to increase the germination rate of orchids shared in this article is prohibited from being copied without permission!