Cultivation Techniques and Management Methods for Dendrobium officinale

Cultivating Dendrobium officinale requires a clear understanding of four aspects: transplanting time, cultivation conditions, field management, and pest and disease control. The transplanting time is in spring and autumn each year, with spring being more suitable. The cultivation conditions of a greenhouse are the foundation of its cultivation; shade and film covering should be adjusted reasonably according to the regional temperature. During the growth period, do a good job of overwintering insulation and the management of water and humidity. Common pests and diseases include soft rot, black spot, and others.

Common Pest and Disease Control Methods for Dendrobium officinale

1. Soft rot

It easily occurs in high-temperature and high-humidity environments, develops quickly, and in severe cases the entire plant rots and disintegrates into a wet, decayed state.

Control method: In the early stage of the disease, 77% Keshade 101 wettable powder at 2 000 mg/kg gives the best control effect; 12 d after spraying, the control effect can reach more than 78%. A 800-fold dilution of 80% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder spray can also be used.

2. Black spot

It damages leaves, causing them to wither, and generally occurs from March to May.

Control method: A 1000-fold dilution of 50% carbendazim spray can be used 2-3 times.

3. Anthracnose

It damages leaves and fleshy stems; affected leaves develop brown or black lesions, and it generally occurs from January to May.

Control method: A 1000-fold dilution of 50% carbendazim or a 1000-fold dilution of 50% thiophanate-methyl spray can be used 2-3 times.

4. Snails

A common pest that damages young stems, tender leaves, flower buds, and young fruits.

Control method: Hand-picking, poisoned bait trapping, or spreading lime or tea seed cake can be used for control.

5. Pinnaspis-like scale insect

It parasitizes the edges or undersides of plant leaves and sucks sap; late May is the peak hatching period for damage.

Control method: A 1000-fold dilution of 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate or a 1000-fold dilution of 50% malathion can be sprayed to kill the insects, or old branches heavily infested with the scale insect can be burned.

6. Red spider mite

Control method: It can be controlled by clearing weeds from the surrounding environment or spraying a 800-1000-fold low-toxicity acaricide, such as 40% dicofol.