What are the cultivation methods and precautions for Spathoglottis?

Spathoglottis is surely no stranger to everyone; it is a plant that combines medicinal and ornamental value, and it is currently very popular among consumers on the market. Many people want to grow it at home, but before cultivating it, everyone should still have a comprehensive understanding of its cultivation methods, so as to avoid causing some undesirable situations.

How to grow Spathoglottis

1. Light. Spathoglottis generally grows on the ancient cliffs of mountain slopes in deep mountains and secluded valleys, in places with shade, short sunshine duration, or only scattered dappled light. It likes shade and avoids direct sunlight. Therefore, it should be properly shaded and placed in a spot where it can receive scattered light but avoid direct sunlight.

2. Temperature. Spathoglottis grows best in an environment of 15°C—30°C, grows poorly above 35°C, and severe cold below 5°C will affect its growth vigor, causing Spathoglottis to enter a dormant period.

3. Soil. Spathoglottis has fleshy roots and is suitable for sandy loam rich in humus with good drainage. Generally, leaf mold or mountain soil, slightly acidic loose soil, or iron-containing soil is selected, with a pH value of 5.5—6.5 being suitable.

Spathoglottis cultivation methods and precautions

I. Cultivation methods:

1. Watering. Summer is the period of vigorous growth for Spathoglottis; if water is lacking at this time, it will grow poorly. Spathoglottis cultivation should follow the principle of “water when dry, stop when wet, appropriately on the dry side”, and watering should be thorough.

2. Fertilizing. Spathoglottis prefers fertile land. Farmyard manure needs to be piled and composted for more than one year before it can be applied. During the growth and development period, it does not need much fertilizer; a thin liquid fertilizer can be applied once every 10—15 days.

II. Precautions:

1. Reasonably control the temperature. If the temperature is too high, the leaves of Spathoglottis will be scorched or withered; at this time, spray water around it to lower the ambient temperature and provide appropriate shade. If the temperature is too low, Spathoglottis will suffer frost damage; at this time, it should be moved indoors promptly.

2. Maintain air circulation. Spathoglottis is suitable for planting in an environment with air circulation, so ventilate frequently to maintain air humidity and circulation.

3. Avoid fertilizer touching the leaves. When fertilizing, be careful not to let the fertilizer liquid touch the leaves, and do not let it touch the roots of Spathoglottis, so as to avoid rot of the leaves and roots.

How to pot Spathoglottis

1. First, place Spathoglottis with the roots facing up and the leaves facing down under a faucet and rinse with slow running water. Grasp the top with your thumb and index finger, brace the rim of the pot with your little finger, and use a stick to secure the roots. When placing it into the pot, the roots should not touch the pot wall.

2. Pour mixed gravel into the bottom of the pot to about one third, then pour medium-grained mixed soil into the flower pot to four fifths of the way, then remove the stick, compact the soil, and do not leave any spaces.

3. After that, pour large-grained gravel into the flower pot, leaving a 1.5 cm gap at the rim of the pot, and finally pour in bean-sized planting material, bury all the pseudobulbs in the soil, gently press the planting material with a soil-pressing tool, and smooth the surface. After planting is complete, it is best for the planting material in the pot to be slightly higher in the center.

Spathoglottis pests and diseases and their control

1. Anthracnose. It can occur in all four seasons, and is more common in hot and rainy seasons. The lesions spread from the leaf tip toward the rhizome, initially brown, then gradually expand and increase, with many dry black spots appearing, and in severe cases the plant dies.

Control method: During the disease period, you can first spray with 50% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder at 800-1500 times dilution, once every 7—10 days; then supplement with 1% equal-amount Bordeaux mixture, once every half month, spraying continuously 3—5 times.

2. Scale insects. Commonly known as “orchid lice”, they reproduce fastest under conditions of high temperature, high humidity, and ‘poor air circulation. They suck the sap from Spathoglottis leaves, causing leaf drop, slow plant growth, and in severe cases plant death.

Control method: During the hatching period of scale insects, spray with 1% omethoate or 1500 times 50% malathion. If only a small number of Spathoglottis are grown at home, they can be removed manually by brushing.

Cultivating Spathoglottis is actually not difficult. When cultivating it, be sure to pay attention to temperature control, and do a good job of shading in summer. During the cultivation process, timely watering, pest and disease control, and fertilizing are all very important. Only by doing these tasks well can you ensure that Spathoglottis grows well.