How to plant monkey face orchid
Let me tell you about how to plant monkey face orchid and the cultivation methods and precautions for this plant, which is a very good topic about flowers and plants. It's worth collecting!
Monkey face orchid, also known as monkey face mini orchid, belongs to the mini epiphytic plants of the Cymbidium genus. It has unique and large flowers with rich colors, often used for potting, hanging baskets, or hanging pot cultivation. It is very suitable for green decoration in front of room windows,阳台 walls, commercial building display windows, and entrance halls. Let's take a look at the cultivation methods of monkey face mini orchid!
Growth habits of monkey face mini orchid
Monkey face mini orchid requires a cool growing environment, dislikes extreme heat, and has difficulty surviving the summer. It is also not resistant to frost. 10-25℃ is the suitable cultivation temperature. In warmer southern regions, it can be placed outdoors in a semi-shaded area or cultivated in a plastic greenhouse all year round. In the Yangtze River Valley or northward, it should be cultivated in a medium or high-temperature greenhouse. In late autumn, winter, and early spring, when the temperature is not too high, direct sunlight should be provided to help the plant form flower buds, bloom, and set fruit. If encountering high temperatures or in summer, humidity should be increased and shade nets should be used to lower the temperature. When the temperature is below 10℃, heating should be provided.
Cultivation methods of monkey face mini orchid
1. Substrate: Monkey face mini orchid prefers slightly acidic substrate, requiring loose and breathable, well-draining soil that can keep the roots moist but not waterlogged. General orchid cultivation substrates can be used. When potting young plants, place a 2-3 cm thick layer of coarse-grained substrate or ceramsite at the bottom of the pot as a filter layer, then sprinkle some slow-release fertilizer on top, with 2-3 grams per pot, and cover with a 1-2 cm thick layer of substrate. Then place the plant in the pot, separating the fertilizer from the roots to prevent root burn.
2. Watering: The native environment of monkey face mini orchid is relatively dry, and it is prone to fungal infections during prolonged rainy periods. Therefore, the relative humidity during the growing period should be maintained between 50-75%. When the temperature is around 20℃, maintaining the natural indoor environment is sufficient. When the temperature exceeds 25℃ in summer, artificial humidification is necessary, usually using fans and water curtains or a high-pressure spray system, but avoid spraying water on the leaves. When humidity is too high, more ventilation is needed, otherwise, diseases and pests may occur. The amount of water needed by monkey face orchid depends on the substrate used; if using aquatic plants, less watering is needed, and water should be added when the substrate is 70% dry.
3. Fertilizing: Monkey face mini orchid requires less fertilizer, generally with a fertilizer concentration of 3000 times the liquid. During the growing season from May to October, fertilize once every two weeks, preferably using liquid fertilizer to water the root zone and spray the leaf surface. During the growing period, nitrogen and balanced fertilizers are mainly used, commonly with N:P:K = 30:10:10 or 20:20:20 mixed fertilizer. During the blooming period, N:P:K = 10:30:10 mixed fertilizer is commonly used. It's best to fertilize in the evening, and then water with clean water early the next morning. In the flower bud stage, spray the leaves once a week with a special orchid flowering fertilizer, such as Flower Boost No. 3, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, etc., to promote thicker flower spikes and brighter flowers.
Propagation methods of monkey face mini orchid
1. Division: Division of monkey face mini orchid is usually done in early spring before new buds sprout. First, remove the mother plant from the pot, remove excess substrate, and separate the tangled roots as much as possible. Use a sharp knife to cut from the base of the stem, with each new plant having at least two or more stems and some roots, and apply sulfur powder or carbendazim powder to the wounds with a brush to prevent infection. The new plants can bloom in the same year after division.
2. Seed sowing: Monkey face mini orchid can self-pollinate, but the seeds are easily scattered and should be harvested in batches at the right time. As the seeds are small, autumn sowing is usually done in a greenhouse with flat or cell trays. The seeds do not need to be covered with soil and should be exposed to light after sowing. Germination usually occurs in about 25 days. Do not water too frequently during the seedling stage, keeping the substrate moist. Spray a fungicide once a week. When the seedlings have 2-3 true leaves, transplant them once, and when they are over 10 cm tall, plant them in a pot. Seedlings from播种 can bloom in 1-2 years.
Have you understood the detailed introduction of how to plant monkey face orchid and the cultivation methods and precautions mentioned above?