How to plant Phalaenopsis orchid
Let's talk about the experience of planting Phalaenopsis orchid and the main points of potted Phalaenopsis orchid maintenance, please refer to the detailed introduction below.
Phalaenopsis orchid, also known as蝴蝶兰 (Butterfly orchid), is a perennial monocotyledonous epiphytic herbaceous plant of the Orchidaceae family. Its flowers are graceful and elegant, with beautiful colors and long flowering period, and it is known as the "Queen of orchids" in tropical orchids. It is one of the top ten Chinese New Year flowers and is a "star" flower. Currently, the annual sales volume in mainland China is about 45 million plants, with about 22 million plants sold in Guangdong Province, indicating a broad market prospect. However, due to the long cultivation time of the main Phalaenopsis orchid varieties in China, some varieties have differentiation or degeneration of traits and reduced resistance, which urgently needs to be solved by cultivating and promoting new varieties to replace the existing main varieties. "Xiangfeng" Phalaenopsis orchid is a new variety bred by the Environmental Horticulture Research Institute of the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences and was approved by the Guangdong Province Crop Variety Approval Committee in 2013. It was selected as the leading variety in Guangdong Province in 2015. In recent years, the Meizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences has adhered to the innovation-driven development strategy, taking the opportunity of jointly building the Meizhou Branch of the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences with the province and city as a契机, accelerating the transformation and application of new agricultural achievements, new varieties, and new technologies, and vigorously promoting the development of the well-known and high-quality flower industry. Since 2016, the "Xiangfeng" Phalaenopsis orchid new variety has been introduced for demonstration planting, in order to explore a complete set of cultivation techniques and provide technical support for the sustainable industrial development of Meizhou Phalaenopsis orchid. Over the past three years of demonstration, a total of 30,000 "Xiangfeng" Phalaenopsis orchids have been planted, with a survival rate of seedlings reaching over 95%, A-grade finished flowers accounting for more than 70%, and an output value of about 900,000 yuan. It has led to the planting of 100,000 plants, achieving good social and economic benefits. The project technology passed the identification by the Meizhou Science and Technology Bureau in December 2018.
1 Introduction Performance
Through trial planting observation, "Xiangfeng" Phalaenopsis orchid has a plant height of 11-12cm and a plant width of about 35cm. The leaves are sturdy and elastic, inverted ovate, dark green in color, with the second leaf from the top about 18cm long, 8-9cm wide, and about 2mm thick. The flower peduncle is robust and about 76cm long. Each plant has 9-10 flowers, with a flower spacing of about 2.6cm. The flower diameter is about 8.8cm, medium to large in size, deep purple in color, round in shape, and the flowers are neatly arranged. "Xiangfeng" Phalaenopsis orchid planted in a flat land greenhouse has a vegetative growth period from April to October, with flower buds appearing in late October, entering the reproductive growth period, budding in late December, and starting to bloom in mid-February of the following year. The blooming period is from February to March, and the withering period is from April to May, with a flowering period of 2-3 months. This variety is relatively resistant to soft rot and sooty mold, with moderate heat and cold resistance, suitable for planting in greenhouse greenhouses in Meizhou area.
2 Key Points of Cultivation Technology
2.1 Cultivation Facility Conditions
Phalaenopsis orchid has strict requirements for growth environmental conditions and is usually cultivated in a greenhouse大棚. Generally, the greenhouse should have a shoulder height of more than 3m, preferably a multi-span greenhouse. Inside, there are multi-row mobile seedling bed shelves about 1.5m wide, with double-layer 70%~75% shade rate mobile shading nets covering the top inside and outside, equipped with fans, water curtains, and water pumps automatic cooling and humidifying facility systems, and diesel heating machines for heating equipment in winter. It is best to have a generator available to meet power failure needs.
2.2 Preparation of Cultivation Substrate, Seedling Cups, and Fertilizers
High-quality sphagnum moss is usually chosen as the cultivation substrate. Before use, soak the moss in clear water for 4-6h to fully absorb water, then wash it by hand 3-4 times, removing impurities while washing, and finally dehydrate it with a dehydrator. After甩干, the moss should be tightly gripped, with water seeping out between the fingers but not dripping. Prepare three sizes of white plastic seedling cups or pots: 5cm, 8.33cm, and 11.67cm. The fertilizer used is the "Flower More" series special fertilizer produced by Scotts Company in the United States.
3 Planting and Potting
Based on the local Spring Festival market sales peak for Phalaenopsis orchid, as well as the growth characteristics of "Xiangfeng" Phalaenopsis orchid and the climatic characteristics of Meizhou City, the small seedling planting period is generally arranged from the end of March to early April. First, plant the well-hardened small seedlings in 5cm nutrient pots, washing the culture medium on the seedlings with clean water before planting. Loosen the prepared sphagnum moss, insert an appropriate amount of moss between the roots of the small seedlings, wrap a layer of moss around them, and then insert them into the nutrient pot, filling in an appropriate amount of moss, leaving about 1cm from the pot edge, and pressing until it feels solid and elastic. Plant the orchid seedlings in a 50-hole tray shelf and place them on the seedling bed shelves according to their size, keeping the orientation of the heart leaves consistent. After 4-6 months of growth, when the double leaves are 10-13cm apart and 4-5cm wide, and the roots at the bottom of the nutrient pot form a circle, start transferring them to 8.33cm nutrient pots for medium seedling cultivation. After another 4-5 months of growth, when the double leaves are 18-20cm apart and 5-6cm wide, and the roots are relatively full, transfer them to 11.67cm nutrient pots for large seedling cultivation. A few days before planting medium and large seedlings, control the moisture of the moss, keeping it slightly moist. When taking the seedlings, gently squeeze the edges of the nutrient pot to separate the roots from the pot wall, then take out the small seedlings with the original moss substrate, wrap them with moss, and insert them into the nutrient pot, filling in an appropriate amount of moss, leaving about 1.8-2cm from the pot edge, and pressing until it feels solid and elastic. Place about 75 pots of medium seedlings per square meter and 30 pots of large seedlings per square meter. After 5-6 months of growth, begin the flowering promotion stage. To prevent the occurrence of diseases, spray the orchid seedlings with medicine on the day of potting. Generally, use Da Sheng M-45 or Multi菌灵 800 times liquid diluted with water for spraying.
4 Cultivation Management
4.1 Light, Temperature, and Humidity Control
4.1.1 Hardening off. Place the tissue culture seedlings on the seedling bed shelves, control the temperature at 20°C-28°C, and the light intensity at 3000-5000Lx for hardening off. After 12 days of sufficient hardening, it is necessary to pot and plant them in time.
4.1.2 Vegetative Growth Period. For small seedlings or recently repotted seedlings, maintain a low-light and high-humidity environment, with the greenhouse temperature controlled at 20°C-28°C and humidity at 80%-90%. The light intensity for small seedlings should be maintained at 4000-8000Lx, and for medium and large seedlings at 8000-15000Lx. After 20 days of planting, when the seedlings enter a stable growth period, gradually reduce the humidity and increase the light intensity, keeping the temperature at 22°C-28°C and humidity at 70%-85%. The light intensity for small seedlings should be maintained at 8000-18000Lx, for medium seedlings at 10000-20000Lx, and for large seedlings at 12000-25000Lx.
4.1.3 Flower Bud Differentiation Period. For large seedlings used for the Spring Festival, it is necessary to move them to a high mountain environment with a daytime temperature of 25°C-28°C and a nighttime temperature of 15°C-18°C for flowering promotion, for about 30-40 days.
4.1.4 Flower Peduncle Extension to Blooming Period. Under normal conditions, the daytime temperature should not exceed 28°C, the nighttime temperature should not be below 18°C, the humidity should be 70%-80%, and the light intensity of light should be 12000-18000Lx. Management should pay attention to the market sales time, adjust the environmental conditions in the greenhouse in a timely manner, adjust the speed of flowering, and meet the requirements for market launch.
4.2 Fertilization and Water Management
Phalaenopsis orchid plants grow relatively slowly, with fleshy aerial roots that are averse to waterlogging and not tolerant of fertilizer. Fertilization should adhere to the principles of frequent application, thin application, no bias towards nitrogen fertilizer, and gradual increase in fertilizer concentration from dilute to concentrated. Management should follow the "five essentials": one, combine watering and fertilization; two, water half-transparent water every 7-10 days during winter and spring or when sunlight is insufficient; water thoroughly every 5-8 days during summer and autumn or dry weather; three, fertilize scientifically, using nitrogen fertilizer during the vegetative growth period, combined with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, and increase the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers during the reproductive growth period of budding and flowering; four, do not fertilize newly planted, recently repotted, or diseased plants; five, avoid splashing fertilizer solution on the flowers. Specific fertilization methods are as follows:
4.2.1 Small Seedling Stage. After potting, control the water to keep the substrate moist, avoiding waterlogging. If the surface of the substrate dries to a white color, water can be increased by spraying on the leaves. After 20-25 days of planting, when new roots appear, apply a 4000-5000-fold 20:20:20 water-soluble fertilizer solution to half-transparent water, once every 10-15 days. About one month later, when 2-4 new roots appear, gradually increase the fertilizer concentration to 3000-4000-fold for灌溉.
4.2.2 Medium and Large Seedling Stage. After changing pots, control the water appropriately. If the surface of the moss in the cup is white and there is only a small amount of water vapor at the bottom of the cup, apply a 3000-4000-fold 20:20:20 water-soluble fertilizer solution to half-transparent water once, 1-2 times a week. After 20 days of changing pots, when new roots appear, apply 2000-3000-fold 30:10:10 water-soluble fertilizer solution alternately with 15:10:30 water-soluble fertilizer solution or 20:20:20 water-soluble fertilizer solution.
4.2.3 Flower Bud Differentiation Period. 10-15 days before the induction of抽梗 treatment, reduce the application of nitrogen fertilizer and control the water, applying potassium dihydrogen phosphate 1000-fold liquid as a foliar fertilizer spray 1-2 times. During the low-temperature induction period, apply 2000-3000-fold 8:45:15 water-soluble fertilizer solution once or twice, and after 20-25 days, alternate with 2000-2500-fold 10:30:20 water-soluble fertilizer solution.
4.2.4 Flower Peduncle Extension to Blooming Period. When the moss substrate is slightly dry, apply 2000-3000-fold 15:20:25 water-soluble fertilizer solution, once every 8-10 days. Every 2-3 weeks, apply organic liquid fertilizer such as 1000-fold agricultural amino acids once.
4.3 Daily Management
Every day, it is necessary to inspect the greenhouse, and if diseased or weak seedlings are found, they should be eliminated or buried outside the greenhouse. The nutrient cups and moss should also be destroyed in a timely manner. At the same time, adjust the arrangement of the orchid seedlings to avoid leaf overlap affecting photosynthesis and root guidance work. When flower buds appear, it is necessary to adjust the flower buds in time to prevent them from being obstructed and deformed. When the flower peduncle is 25-30cm long, insert a 60cm-long plastic-coated iron wire next to the flower peduncle and fix it with a plastic clip at the mature part of the flower peduncle.
4.4 Disease and Pest Control
The main diseases of Phalaenopsis orchid include fungal diseases such as疫病 (black rot), gray mold, anthracnose, sooty mold, and bacterial diseases such as soft rot and brown spot; the main pests include red spider mites, thrips, whitefly, scale insects, aphids, snails, slugs, and eye fungi. The main control measures are to adopt a "prevention first, comprehensive control" plant health policy, strengthen cultivation management measures, improve ventilation conditions, reasonably control placement density, cultivate strong seedlings, and keep the greenhouse clean. If diseased plants are found, it is necessary to promptly remove the source of infection, remove the diseased leaves and residuals, and bury them deeply or incinerate them outside the greenhouse. Or hang yellow or blue boards in the greenhouse to trap pests such as eye fungi, thrips, and whiteflies. When pests occur severely, it is necessary to spray insecticides and fungicides in a timely manner. Generally, red spider mites can be controlled with abamectin or benzyldimethyl; aphids, thrips, and斜纹夜蛾 can be controlled with Lorsban or phoxim; whiteflies can be controlled with pymetrozine or fenpropathrin; scale insects can be controlled with supona or Lorsban; snails and slugs can be controlled with metaldehyde granules. Soft rot can be controlled with tetracycline, agricultural streptomycin, or potassium permanganate; anthracnose can be controlled with prochloraz manganese salt or thiram;疫病 can be controlled with methyl thiophanate or prorad; gray mold can be controlled with procymidone or hymexazol.
The above sharing of how to plant Phalaenopsis orchid and the main points of Phalaenopsis orchid potted maintenance are all for your comprehensive understanding and reference!