How to plant monkey face orchid bulbs well
A comprehensive explanation of how to plant monkey face orchid bulbs well and the tips for cultivating monkey face orchids in green plant flower planting content. Let's follow the editor to take a look!
Monkey face orchid, also known as monkey face flower, is a small epiphytic plant of the genus Dracula in the Orchidaceae family. It has unique and large flower shapes with rich colors, commonly used for potting, hanging baskets, or hanging blue cultivation. It is very suitable for green decoration in front of room windows,阳台 walls, store windows, and entrance halls of exhibition halls. Let's take a look at the cultivation methods of monkey face orchids!
Growth habits of monkey face orchids
Monkey face orchids require a cool growing environment, are afraid of extreme heat, and have difficulty surviving the summer. They are also not resistant to frost and cold. 10-25℃ is the suitable cultivation temperature. In warmer southern regions, they can be placed outdoors in a semi-shaded area or cultivated in plastic greenhouses all year round. In the Yangtze River Basin or northern regions, they should be cultivated in medium or high-temperature greenhouses. In late autumn, winter, and early spring, when the temperature is not too high, direct sunlight should be provided to help the plants form flower buds, bloom, and set fruit. If encountering high temperatures or in summer, humidity should be increased and shade netting should be used to cool down. When the temperature is below 10℃, insulation and heating should be provided.
Cultivation methods for monkey face orchids
1. Substrate: Monkey face orchids prefer slightly acidic substrates that are loose, breathable, and have good drainage, capable of keeping the roots moist without waterlogging. Generally, 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 controlled-release fertilizer as a base fertilizer, apply 2-3 grams per pot, and cover it with a 1-2 cm thick layer of substrate. Then place the plant in the pot to separate the fertilizer from the roots to avoid root burn.
2. Watering: The native environment of monkey face orchids is relatively dry, and they are prone to infection by pathogens during prolonged rainy periods. Therefore, the relative humidity during the growing period should be maintained between 50-75%. When the temperature is around 20℃, maintain the natural indoor environment. When the temperature reaches 25℃ or higher in summer, increase humidity artificially using fans and water curtains or a high-pressure spray system, but avoid spraying water on the leaves. When humidity is too high, ventilate more to prevent diseases and pests. The amount of water needed by monkey face orchids depends on the substrate used. If using aquatic plants, water less frequently, and water when the substrate is 70% dry.
3. Fertilization: Monkey face orchids require less fertilizer, generally with a fertilizer concentration of 3000 times liquid. Every two weeks during the growing season from May to October, fertilize once, preferably using liquid fertilizer to water the root zone and spray on the leaf surface. During the growing period, nitrogen and balanced fertilizers are commonly used, often with a mixture of N:P:K=30:10:10 or 20:20:20. During the flowering period, a mixture of N:P:K=10:30:10 is commonly used. It is best to fertilize in the evening, and water with clean water again the next morning. Additionally, during the flower bud stage, spray the leaves once a week with a special orchid flowering fertilizer, such as No. 3 Flower Treasure or potassium dihydrogen phosphate to promote thicker flower spikes and brighter flowers.
Propagation methods for monkey face orchids
1. Division: Division of monkey face orchids is generally 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, ensuring each new plant has two or more stems with some roots and apply sulfur powder or carbendazim powder to the wounds to prevent infection. The new plants can bloom in the same year after division.
2. Seed sowing: Monkey face orchids can self-pollinate, but the seeds are easily scattered and should be harvested in batches at the right time. Because monkey face orchid seeds are tiny, they are usually sown in autumn in greenhouses, using flat or cell trays. The seeds do not need to be covered with soil and should be exposed to light after sowing. Generally, seedlings emerge in about 25 days. Do not water too frequently during the seedling stage, keeping the substrate moist. Spray a fungicide once a week, and transplant once when the seedlings have 2-3 true leaves. When the seedlings are 10 cm tall or more, they can be planted in flower pots. Seedlings from sowing can bloom in 1-2 years.
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