The cultivation method of potted orchids
Abstract: This article discusses the topics related to orchids, a member of the Orchidaceae family, the cultivation method of potted orchids, read on for more information!
The cultivation method and common problems of potted orchids
Orchids are traditional precious potted flowers in China and are also world-famous flowers. People have always considered orchids as representatives of elegance and elegance, and they are collectively known as the "Four Gentlemen" along with plum blossoms, bamboo, and chrysanthemums. Orchids are known for their fragrant simplicity, along with chrysanthemums, narcissus, and iris, they are collectively known as the "Four Elegant Plants," with orchids being the leader among the four. Orchids are simple and unadorned, with evergreen leaves that are soft yet firm, and their flowers emit a delicate fragrance, making them highly ornamental and excellent for decorating living rooms, homes, or studies. Many people enjoy growing potted orchids at home. Let's take a closer look at the cultivation methods and common problems of potted orchids.
I. Cultivation Methods
1. Soil
Use acidic soil to plant them, not alkaline. If using professional growing soil, it's best to use orchid soil, or mix decayed leaves with garden soil and stir well.
2. Temperature
They require an atmosphere of 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. From March to October, the temperature should be 18 to 25 degrees, and from October to the following March, it should be 10 to 18 degrees. They can withstand sub-zero temperatures of -5 to -9 degrees Celsius in winter, but it's best to keep them at 3 to 9 degrees Celsius. Placing them near a south-facing window will prevent the soil from freezing.
3. Watering
Watering should depend on different stages, growth processes, and atmospheric conditions. In winter, when growth stops, watering should be controlled, generally once every 5-7 days, keeping the soil slightly moist. If the soil is already dry, wait for sunny weather and use room temperature water to spray, but do not waterlog.
4. Fertilizing
Do not use a large amount of fertilizer. First, compost the fertilizer and use organic fertilizers or special fertilizers. When the flower buds appear, keep only the healthiest and most beautiful bud, removing the others. You can also spray special flower fertilizer to help them become more beautiful, extend the blooming period, and remove the flowers after they wilt to reduce nutrient loss and make it easier for them to bloom next year.
5. Diseases and Pests
They are prone to diseases and pests, such as aphids. During maintenance, ensure good ventilation and soil drainage. If diseased, use thiabendazole to treat, and if the condition is severe, change the soil and pot.
6. Sunlight
Orchids enjoy shade and are sensitive to strong sunlight, so they need to be shaded in spring, summer, and autumn. When growing orchids at home, it's best to place them on a balcony or windowsill with a bamboo curtain to control light intensity. Generally, shade from 9 am to 6 pm and open the curtain from 6 pm to open up to diffused sunlight. In winter, move them indoors where there is diffused light, but also avoid direct sunlight. Among orchids, Cymbidium is the most shade-tolerant, Dendrobium is the second, while Cypripedium and Coelogyne are less shade-tolerant.
7. Pruning
During the orchid cultivation process, main stem pruning should be done, such as removing yellow leaves, which is beneficial for other leaves to grow and ensures ventilation. Diseased leaves should be pruned immediately to prevent infection. Additionally, pruning shears should be disinfected to prevent infection.
8. Repotting
Orchids grow slowly and can be repotted once every 1-2 years after flowering. When repotting, first place tiles or coal ash about 3 centimeters high in the pot for drainage, then add a layer of growing soil, place the orchid in the center of the pot, straighten the roots, and let them naturally extend. When the soil is half-filled, gently lift the orchid and shake the pot to ensure the soil and roots are well-connected. Fill the soil to 2-3 centimeters from the pot edge and gently compact it with your hands.
II. Common Problems in Orchid Cultivation
1. Orchids are mainly distributed in the southwest and west regions, often found in damp ravines and shaded areas near rock edges. They prefer warm and humid climates, enjoy moisture, and require 70-90% shading, avoiding high temperatures, dryness, and strong sunlight.
2. During orchid cultivation, continuously remove yellow and pest-infested leaves to ensure good ventilation. After the flower buds emerge, keep only one strong bud per plant and remove the rest to avoid excessive nutrient consumption, which may affect flowering the following year. After flowering, cut off the flower spike.
3. In winter, attention should be paid to preventing frostbite. Terrestrial orchids are cold-resistant, while tropical orchids require higher temperatures for overwintering and should be moved indoors or protected with a plastic greenhouse to avoid frost. Indoor temperatures should be maintained at 10-15 degrees Celsius, and care should be taken to ensure ventilation. In spring, as the weather warms up, gradually move the orchids to the courtyard or balcony.
4. When watering orchids at home, natural rainwater, streams, rivers, and tap water are best. If using tap water, store it in a缸 and expose it to sunlight to remove chlorine before use. Long-term use of tap water can cause the soil substrate to gradually lose calcium.
5. During orchid cultivation, apply sulfuric acid aluminum at intervals to increase soil acidity. Additionally, using fermented rice water to water orchids can also help maintain a slightly acidic soil condition.
Characteristics of Orchid Shapes
Parasitic or terrestrial herbs, rarely saprophytic, generally with pseudobulbs; pseudobulbs ovoid, elliptical, or fusiform, rarely not present or elongated into a stem-like structure, usually enclosed in leaf sheaths at the base. Leaves are several to many, usually growing at the base or lower nodes of the pseudobulb, in two rows, strap-shaped or rarely oblanceolate to narrowly elliptical, bases usually with a wide sheath encircling the pseudobulb, jointed.
Inflorescences lateral or basally opposite the pseudobulb, erect, recurved, or lax; racemes with several to many flowers, rarely reduced to a single flower; floral bracts entire or short, deciduous during flowering; flowers large or medium-sized; sepals and petals free, somewhat similar; labellum 3-lobed, base sometimes fused to the column for 3-6 mm; lateral lobes erect, often somewhat embracing the column, median lobe usually recurved; labellum surface with 2 longitudinal ridges, usually extending from the base to the base of the median lobe, sometimes ending in an enlargement or interruption in the middle, rarely fused into one; column longer, often slightly forward-bent, with wings on both sides, ventral surface concave or sometimes with short hair, pollinia two, deeply cleft, or four unequal pairs, fruit waxy, connected by a short, flexible pollinium to a triangular viscid disk.
The above sharing of the cultivation methods and common problems of potted orchids, hope it helps you!