How to grow Zixianglan (Zygopetalum orchids)? Master the watering and fertilizing methods

SummaryEnvironment: Zixianglan likes a bright environment, avoid direct sunlight; Temperature: poor cold tolerance, the temperature difference between day and night should not be too large; Soil: likes loose, fertile sandy soil; Flower pot: do not choose too deep a pot, a shallower pot has better water permeability; Watering: keep the potting soil moist regularly, water more during the growing season, reduce watering after late autumn; Fertilizing: during the peak growing season, fertilize 1-2 times a month, mainly with farmyard manure.

1. Environment

Zixianglan likes to grow in a bright environment and requires medium to high light intensity. However, it does not like direct sunlight; it can be grown indoors or outdoors, and if exposed to direct sunlight, it will cause the leaves of Zixianglan to burn. Although Zixianglan likes shade, it is also not suitable to be grown in a dark environment all the time, especially during the period when new leaves sprout and new leaves grow, which requires special attention.

2. Temperature

Zixianglan has very poor cold tolerance and is suitable for growing in an environment with suitable and stable temperatures; the temperature difference between day and night should not be too large. The daytime temperature should preferably not exceed 17 degrees, and the nighttime temperature difference needs to be maintained at around 12 degrees. In winter, be sure to keep it warm, and in summer, be sure to do proper cooling.

3. Soil

Zixianglan does not have high requirements for soil, but Zixianglan likes loose, fertile, moist acidic sandy soil. When potting, equal parts of leaf mold, peat soil and garden soil can be mixed; this kind of soil has relatively strong air permeability, permeability and drainage, and is not prone to waterlogging.

4. Flower pot

When choosing a flower pot, there is no need to choose a very deep pot; try to choose a shallower pot, because a shallow pot penetrates faster when watering, which is good for drainage.

5. Watering

Zixianglan likes moist soil very much and needs to keep the potting soil moist regularly, especially during the growing season, when the frequency of watering should be increased even more; you can water it or regularly sprinkle water on the leaves to increase humidity. After late autumn, the frequency and amount of watering can be reduced as much as possible.

6. Fertilizing

During the peak growing season, Zixianglan needs to be fertilized 1-2 times a month, mainly with farmyard manure; the commonly used method is to soak granular chicken manure in water, then pour it into the pot, so as to ensure the leaves are clear, elegant and bright.

7. Propagation method

Zixianglan is mainly propagated by sowing; sowing can be done in all four seasons of the year. If sown in January, it can bloom in May, and the usual growing period is about 100-150 days. About 30 days after sowing, when the true leaves grow to 6-7, it can be arranged for planting out; when planting, pay attention to the planting spacing, which is about 15 cm. When the leaves grow to more than 10, the terminal bud can be removed to promote side branches.