The Breeding Method of Spring Orchid Songmei
The editor brings an introduction to the propagation of flowers, specifically the breeding method of Spring Orchid Songmei. Please see the detailed introduction below.
The Breeding Method of Spring Orchid Songmei
Spring Orchid Songmei has a history of cultivation that spans over two hundred years. It has always been cultivated by enthusiasts, resulting in a variety of flower shapes and patterns. It is a typical representative of plum-petaled flowers and is revered by the orchid community as the "King of the Four Greats." Each orchid variety has its unique characteristics, differing in aspects such as germination, flowering, growth, disease resistance, and breeding. Therefore, in terms of maintenance, one should consider the identity of the variety and adopt a method tailored to each species for cultivating orchids.
In terms of Songmei, under the natural conditions of the northern part of Henan, it blooms in late February and early March each year, and the seedlings emerge in late April, essentially forming a set pattern. It has many advantages such as robust main stem growth, strong disease resistance, high germination rate, and easy flowering. Let's discuss the breeding problems based on its characteristics.
I. Planting Material and Pot: Configuring a nutrient-rich planting material is fundamental to promoting the healthy growth and flowering of Songmei. The material should focus on good aeration, drainage, and complete nutrients. A combination of classical and modern methods should be emphasized. The formula I use for the planting material is: fine-washed peat soil 25%,植金石 (stone for planting orchids) 20%, Xian soil 15%. Willow bark 10%, snake wood 15%, wheat husk stone 5%, brick granules 10%. Using this material promotes fast potting, healthy growth, good flowering, and a strong fragrance. The best pot to use is a high-barrel mud pot that has been fired, or a white sesame sand high-barrel pot from Yixing. The pot should not be too large, just large enough for the orchid roots to spread out. It is best to plant about 6 seedlings per pot, with the orchid plants combining old, middle, and young, ensuring flowers every year. Remember to soak new pots in water for more than two days, and clean and disinfect old pots before use.
II. Sunlight: Morning sunlight is most beneficial for the growth of Songmei, and the sooner the better, ideally as soon as dawn breaks and shines on the orchid plants. Morning light is a key factor affecting the growth and flowering of orchids, with orchids being more active in photosynthesis before 10 a.m. Therefore, if possible, it is best to place Songmei in an area with morning light, exposing it to 2-3 hours of sunlight daily, which is very beneficial for growth and ensures annual flowering.
III. Ventilation: Good ventilation is essential for successfully cultivating Songmei, and placing it in a well-ventilated environment is crucial. Especially during the hot summer weather, it is necessary to place Songmei in a cool and shady place. In the northern part of Henan, as long as it can safely survive the summer, it can be said that half of the orchid cultivation is successful. Ventilation provides fresh air for the orchid plants, accelerates photosynthesis, reduces the occurrence of diseases, and promotes healthy growth.
IV. Watering: Watering is a key factor in the success or failure of cultivating Songmei. An ancient saying goes: "To make friends, one must be sincere; to water flowers, one must water the roots." "Orchids like rain but fear accumulation, like moisture but dislike humidity, like dryness but dislike dryness." In my personal cultivation, I have four watering methods for reference by orchid enthusiasts: First, the amount of watering should be determined based on the size of the pot, the growth condition of the orchid plants, the quality of ventilation, the size of the planting material, and the temperature. Second, the watering time should not be fixed and should be observed frequently to grasp the watering opportunity. If it's dry, water it; if watered, make sure it's thorough. Third, the water temperature for watering orchids should be as close as possible to the temperature inside the pot, especially in summer and winter. Fourth, long-term watering should use clean rainwater (rain, dew), and it's best not to use tap water to prevent water pollution.
The above content about the breeding method of Spring Orchid Songmei is provided for reference by green plant enthusiasts, hoping to solve your problems in green plant and flower management.