How to propagate the Cattleya orchid through cutting
Today's experience sharing: Tips on how to propagate the Cattleya orchid through cutting and the method and precautions for its care, which will surely be of help to you. Let's get to know about it together!
The Cattleya orchid belongs to the Cactaceae family, a perennial epiphytic plant. Its stem segments resemble arrows, and its flowers resemble lotus flowers, hence the name. The Cattleya orchid has a variety of colors and is very beautiful, but its blooming period is short, with a single flower lasting up to two days before withering. However, it is easy to maintain and propagate, making it popular among many flower enthusiasts.
How does the Cattleya orchid propagate? How should the Cattleya orchid be cared for after the cutting has taken root? Let's discuss these two questions with fellow flower enthusiasts, hoping it will be helpful for those in need.
How does the Cattleya orchid propagate?
The Cattleya orchid usually propagates through cutting. When propagating the Cattleya orchid through cutting, the following points need to be considered:
One, selection of cuttings:
The selection of cuttings for propagating the Cattleya orchid is relatively easy and is the first key step to success. The top too young stem segments and the bottom too old stem segments are not suitable for cutting. The too young stem segments have insufficient nutrients, poor resistance, and are prone to rot, making it difficult for them to root.
The too old stem segments have poor vitality, difficulty in rooting and sprouting, and are also not easy to root. Generally, moderately mature stem segments should be selected, with two-year-old stem segments being the most suitable.
Two, disinfection treatment:
Before cutting, the Cattleya orchid stem segments and the cutting substrates should be disinfected to prevent post-cutting infection by bacteria. The disinfection process is simple. Generally, carbendazim or potassium permanganate solution can be used for simple soaking disinfection, with a concentration of 0.1%.
After preparing the disinfectant solution, soak the Cattleya orchid stem segments in the solution for about half an hour, then place them in a well-ventilated area to dry the surface moisture before cutting. After cutting, pour the solution directly onto the cutting substrate to complete the disinfection.
Three, selection of substrates:
The cutting substrate for the Cattleya orchid should not be rich in nutrients, such as humus soil or peat soil, as it may cause bacterial infection and lead to cutting failure. It is best to choose granular materials with lower nutrient content, such as washed river sand, perlite, or vermiculite.
After the Cattleya orchid cutting is completed, place it in a shady and well-ventilated area for maintenance. Water it only when the substrate is completely dry. Generally, the rooting speed is faster when the environmental temperature is higher (between 15°C and 25°C), and cutting should not be performed when the temperature is below 10°C.
Under higher temperatures, the Cattleya orchid cuttings usually take about 15 days to root and survive. After the Cattleya orchid has rooted and survived, it can enter normal maintenance, and there is no need to change the soil during this period. Generally, soil replacement is done the following year, which has little effect on its nutrient supply.
After the Cattleya orchid cutting has taken root and is being maintained normally, the following points need to be considered:
How to propagate the Cattleya orchid through cutting
One, maintenance environment:
The Cattleya orchid enjoys sunlight but is sensitive to strong light. It requires ample sunlight during daily maintenance and needs to be shaded during the summer. Insufficient sunlight for extended periods can lead to the Cattleya orchid not flowering for many years. The Cattleya orchid is not very cold-resistant and needs to be prepared for frost protection in winter. When the temperature approaches 5°C, it is necessary to move it indoors for maintenance.
The Cattleya orchid prefers a humid growing environment. If the environment is too dry, it will become listless. During summer maintenance, water mist can be sprayed in the morning and evening to increase the humidity of the microenvironment.
Two, watering management:
The Cattleya orchid enjoys moisture and has strong drought resistance, but it is afraid of waterlogging. During daily maintenance, the principle of alternating wet and dry should be followed. Water the potting soil only when it is slightly dry, and reduce the watering frequency in winter. The potting soil can be watered when it is completely dry. Again, it is best to spray water mist in the morning and evening during the summer.
Three, fertilization management:
Fertilizing the Cattleya orchid should follow the principle of applying thin fertilizers frequently. During the rapid growing season (spring, summer, and autumn), at least one application of a multi-element compound fertilizer should be made every month to provide the plant with a comprehensive range of nutrients.
After the plant has grown and matured, it is necessary to supplement phosphorus and potassium fertilizers every spring after the warming up, to promote bud differentiation and allow the plant to enter the flowering stage smoothly. In spring, the intake of nitrogen should be reduced, and it is best not to apply fertilizers high in nitrogen content, such as urea.
In summary: The propagation of the Cattleya orchid through cutting is relatively easy, with two key points: one is the selection of moderately mature stem segments, and the other is a higher environmental temperature. With these two points guaranteed, rooting and survival generally do not have major issues.
For the daily maintenance of the Cattleya orchid, there are two points that need special attention: one is that sunlight cannot be lacking but should not be exposed to intense sunlight, and the other is to control watering and spray water mist at high temperatures.
The above is the detailed content about how to propagate the Cattleya orchid through cutting and its cutting methods and precautions from [www.lvzhimi.com], hoping it will be helpful to you!