Detailed Explanation of the Key Cultivation Techniques for Dendrobium officinale

Dendrobium officinale is a common medicinal herb in our country with high medicinal value. Many people like to use it to make soup or brew tea, so artificial cultivation is carried out in many regions. What are the cultivation techniques for Dendrobium officinale?

1. Site selection

Dendrobium officinale is suitable for growing on slopes with poor sun exposure and relatively gentle gradients. It is even better if the selected site has more rocks, because Dendrobium officinale grows better in such an environment, though of course the rocks should not be too large. As for dense weeds in grassy areas, farmers still need to clear them, preferably by centralized disposal. Before planting, it is best to spread a layer of plant ash. Alternatively, you can look for places where moss is distributed and plant after removing the moss.

2. Cultivation

(1) Cultivation time: spring.

(2) Cultivation method: generally by division propagation.

(3) Cultivation steps: first select a disease-free mother plant of Dendrobium, then cut about 2-year-old rhizomes from it. After that, prune away the overly old branches, leaving new roots 2-3 cm long. When planting, it is best to plant close to rocks or close to large trees.

3. Post-cultivation management techniques

(1) Water requirements: if the air humidity is too low in the later stage of Dendrobium planting, water frequently to maintain moisture, and a sprayer can be used to water in the form of a mist.

(2) Reasonable fertilization: for Dendrobium officinale that has suffered frost damage in winter or is undersized with yellowish leaves, a water-soluble fertilizer containing amino acids can be sprayed on the leaves. For those whose stems and leaves overwintered normally and safely, after adjusting the water in the substrate, a high-nitrogen compound fertilizer or monopotassium phosphate plus urea or a full-nutrition foliar fertilizer can be sprayed, generally once every 7-10 days, to promote the growth of new buds. For substrates lacking fertility, an appropriate amount of fermented organic fertilizers such as sheep manure and rapeseed cake should be applied between the rows, and this can also be done together with replenishing the substrate.

(3) Pruning: every spring before new buds emerge, in combination with harvesting old stems, cut off the withered stems within the clump and remove diseased stems, weak stems and diseased roots. After 6-8 years of planting, depending on the growth of the clump base, turn over the clump and divide it again for propagation.

Overall, Dendrobium officinale is still quite easy to grow. Generally, it can be planted as long as the site has small stones or saplings, and after planting, it is enough to do well in watering, fertilizing and pruning.