How to cultivate wild orchids
Wild orchid cultivation and related experience in the planting methods and techniques of ornamental flowers, the following is an introduction by the site editor for netizens.
China's wild orchid resources are widely distributed across regions, with basically every province having some. However, in recent years, with the development of the economy, orchids, as ornamental flowers, have become very popular. The wild orchid resources have been severely damaged, and in the main orchid producing areas, there are orchid merchants and orchid farmers. Orchid merchants are responsible for sales, while orchid farmers are responsible for planting and digging, leading to a sharp decline in the number of wild orchids. As a result, wild orchids have entered the homes of many orchid enthusiasts.
First, let's understand the growth environment of wild orchids. Wild orchids generally grow in mixed forests of chestnut and pine trees or bamboo forests. The branches and leaves of chestnut, pine, and bamboo are lush, with large canopies and great height, which can effectively shield the sun and allow scattered light to reach the ground. Their fallen leaves cover the ground, not only making it loose and breathable, but also retaining moisture and providing ample nutrients for orchids. This is also why wild orchids are less likely to freeze in low temperatures. With the high height of trees, the wind can effectively pass through the place where orchids grow, making it warm in winter and cool in summer, which is very suitable for the growth of orchids. In mountainous areas with short trees, orchids are very rare because the short trees block too much sunlight, causing excessive humidity at the bottom, making it difficult for orchids to bloom and bear fruit, and unable to reproduce effectively, leading to a decrease or extinction in numbers.
It is not difficult to cultivate wild orchids well, the key is to master the methods. There is a big difference between the growth environment of wild orchids in the wild and in our homes. When cultivating orchids at home, we need to simulate the survival environment of orchids in the wild as much as possible, mainly in terms of light, temperature, water, and nutrients. This article will explain how to cultivate wild orchids from these four aspects.
I. Light
Orchids are semi-shady plants and dislike strong light, preferring cool environments. Excessive light can burn the leaves, causing gray-brown spots or dehydration and wilting. For flowering orchids, this can cause提前凋谢 (Premature blossom drop). However, flowers have a strong phototropism, and when there is insufficient light, the fragrance of the flowers is faint, and the color is poor, affecting their ornamental value. The suitable light intensity for orchid growth is about 10,000-30,000 LUX. Light within this range can make the leaves of orchids green and glossy. However, leaves with insufficient light are dark green and thin. Therefore, we should place orchids in a place with sufficient lighting, avoiding direct sunlight and insufficient light. Diffused light is sufficient. In spring and winter, orchids can be exposed to direct sunlight for a short period before 9 am. When the light intensity is high, they should be placed indoors. In summer and autumn, direct sunlight should be avoided, and the placement location should be cool and ventilated.
How to cultivate wild orchids
II. Temperature
Wild orchids grow in cool mountains. Excessive high and low temperatures are not suitable for the growth of orchids. The best temperature range is between 25-30°C. Orchids can adapt to the environment between 30-40°C. If it exceeds this limit, there is a risk of death. Therefore, when cultivating orchids at home in the summer, it is important to prevent heatstroke and lower the temperature. If orchids are placed in a place with direct sunlight, they must be shaded when the weather is hot, with a shading rate of about 70% to prevent strong sunlight from burning the leaves. Varieties with wide leaves should have a slightly higher shading rate, while those with narrow leaves should have a relatively lower rate because the wide leaves have stronger photosynthetic capacity. In enclosed cultivation areas, fans or water curtains can be used to cool down; in winter, insulation and cold prevention are necessary. When the temperature is below 0°C, heating should be carried out or moved to a warm place with a temperature above 0°C and sufficient sunlight to prevent freezing and damaging the leaves and roots of orchids.
III. Water
Orchids in the wild prefer shade and moisture but dislike waterlogging. At home, it is best to keep the potting soil moist. It is essential to use orchid pots with bottom holes to facilitate the timely removal of accumulated water from the pot. The planting material should also be chosen to be moisture-retaining and well-draining, such as植金石 (Orchid stone), snake wood, pine chestnut king, peat, coconut brick, etc. When the orchid spike is extracted to flowering, water should be controlled appropriately. Wait until the surface soil is white before watering. This can make the petals of the flower short and round, resulting in higher-quality flowers. In hot and dry weather, in addition to watering, the air humidity can be increased by using water curtains or misting to balance the absorption of water by the roots and the metabolism of the leaves, preventing the plant from wilting. When misting, try not to spray the leaves or flowers to prevent diseases or early blossom drop. In rainy weather, when the air humidity is high, the water in the pot should be reduced, and less or no watering should be done.
IV. Nutrients
Wild orchids grow in mixed forests of chestnut and pine trees and bamboo forests. The accumulation of leaves over the years forms a thick layer of humus on the ground, which is loose and breathable, rich in nutrients, and full of orchid fungi. Those who often go to the mountains can find that when the leaves are flipped, a large number of white mycelium is attached, which is the beneficial fungi suitable for orchid growth, also known as orchid fungi. The roots of orchids do not absorb nutrients directly but are in symbiosis with beneficial fungi, obtaining nutrients through them. Therefore, when choosing planting materials, we can refer to the soil environment of the wild orchid growth area for configuration. We should choose orchid materials rich in orchid fungi or those that are ventilated and conducive to the growth of fungi, mainly organic soft materials such as pine bark, chestnut bark, pine needles, chestnut leaves, pine cones, and rotten pine hearts. These materials are rich in orchid fungi and do not require fertilization in later stages. If inorganic hard media such as植金石 (Orchid stone), stones, ceramsite, brick particles, and tile particles are used, they do not contain nutrients and require us to fertilize later to supplement nutrients. Suitable fertilizers include wood ash, decomposed bean cake water, rice washing water, coated long-acting slow-release fertilizer, etc. Chemical fertilizers should be used sparingly, and proper nutrient supply can enhance flower color, improve flower quality, extend blooming periods, and increase fragrance.
The above is the complete introduction to wild orchid cultivation and planting methods and techniques by [Green Plant Enthusiast Network], for everyone to learn and understand!