How to Plant Wild-Collected Orchids? Planting Methods and Care Points
To plant wild-collected orchids, choose a medium-sized pot, and bury them deep using broken tile pieces and a small amount of humus soil. Newly potted orchids should not be watered; place them in a cool, ventilated and warm spot, and water after three to five days. Generally, during the vigorous growth period in summer and autumn, keep the potting medium 70% moist; in winter, keeping the medium 30% moist is sufficient. No fertiliser is needed in the first year. In addition, during planting and care, pay special attention to the following points:
1. Placement
Wild-collected orchids originally grow in high-mountain forests in ventilated, humid, shaded environments. Therefore, the cultivation site for wild-collected orchids should be a ventilated area, the pots should be placed facing southeast, and the shading level should generally be kept above 80%.
2. Choosing a pot
The orchid pot chosen must allow the potting medium to be well aerated and free-draining. There is also particularity in choosing the pot size: it should be neither too big nor too small, neither too shallow nor too deep. Too small and too shallow is not convenient for root growth; too big and too deep is not conducive to drainage.
3. Procedure
Trim away the orchid's rotten roots, broken leaves and scorched tips. For the potting medium, choose as much as possible the fertile forest soil from around the wild-collected orchid (some soil contains insect eggs, so be sure to disinfect it). First put in some Kanuma soil or ordinary small stones, which also helps with drainage. Then add 1/4 fertile soil, hold the orchid seedling upright, let the roots spread out naturally, and fill with soil until full. Then press firmly with your hands so it does not loosen. Water on the second or third day, and water thoroughly. Place it at the foot of a wall or under a window to let excess water drain away naturally.
4. Medication
The medication for wild-collected orchids depends on the condition of the plant; most wild-collected orchids are healthy. Even if some fungi are brought in, beneficial fungi are in the majority, and harmful fungi are certain to be present, but strong plants have immunity. If the plant is weak, disinfection and sterilisation should be stricter. For wild-collected orchids, using some fungicidal and disease-preventive medication after root trimming and when potting is essential.