A New Method of Fertilizing Orchids: The IV Drip Method

There are usually two methods of fertilizing orchids. The first is soil fertilization, that is, applying fertilizer or soilless culture nutrient solution directly to the soil or soilless culture substrate; after the orchid roots absorb it, the nutrients are transported to all parts of the plant. The second is foliar fertilization, that is, mixing chemical fertilizer or nutrient solution to a certain concentration and spraying it on the leaves; after absorption, it is transported to all parts of the plant. However, the above methods all have disadvantages such as serious waste and loss of nutrients, complicated operation, slow fertilizer effect, and environmental pollution. Below is an introduction to a method of fertilizing orchids - the “IV drip method”. This method has the characteristics of saving fertilizer, rapid fertilizer effect, being clean and hygienic, and being simple and convenient.

① Operation method. Use discarded IV bottles from hospitals, put the nutrient solution prepared as required into the bottle, insert the IV tube, and hang it upside down (higher than the pot surface). Insert the needle at the other end into the orchid pseudobulb (for a pot of orchids, as long as they are clustered seedlings, any one plant can be selected for needle insertion, and the entire pot of orchids can receive nutrient supply). The supplied nutrient solution slowly seeps into the plant tissue from the IV bottle through the IV tube and needle, achieving the purpose of fertilizer supply.

② Nutrient solution requirements. The types of nutrient solution used for fertilizer supply by the “IV drip method” are mainly determined according to the purpose of fertilization. For general conventional fertilization, chemical fertilizers of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other trace elements can be mixed into a solution of a certain proportional concentration. Various special orchid nutrient solutions sold on the market can also be used according to actual conditions. For example, Meihui brand orchid hydroponic nutrient solution from Shaoguan, Guangdong, as well as Jialanbao, root-promoting agent, bud-promoting agent, etc., and amino acids, glucose solution, sucrose solution, etc. can also be used.

The concentration requirement of the nutrient solution is very low, generally 0.01% to 5%. The concentration of macroelements should be higher, and the concentration of trace elements should be lower.

The PH value of the nutrient solution directly affects the absorption and utilization of nutrients in the plant. If a special nutrient solution is purchased, it can be diluted and used as required. If a self-prepared nutrient solution is mainly supplied with cations, the solution should be adjusted to slightly alkaline; if it is mainly supplied with anions, the solution should be adjusted to weakly acidic, so as to improve the nutritional effect.

③ Period of use. Generally, it should be carried out during the vigorous growth period to promote growth. Sometimes it can also be carried out during the dormant period to improve the cold resistance of orchid plants and help them overwinter safely.