After growing Cheng Mei orchids for 3 years, I've summed up these experiences

In the spring of 2012, I introduced 4 robust plants. The data at the time: 8 leaves, 1.6---1.8 wide, longest leaf 65 cm. Grown until today (2015/10/17), there are 26 plants in total. The plants I grow basically have 7 to 8 leaves, leaf width 1.2-1.5. Leaf length does not exceed 50 cm, and I have never lost a single plant. Recently, orchid enthusiasts have taken several groups one after another, and many orchid enthusiasts have sent me private messages asking about prices and about details related to growing Cheng Mei. Having the plants I grew myself recognized by orchid enthusiasts made me feel a bit smug, but I know there is still a long way to go before I reach those experts, yet I am already on the way. Today I am writing a casual post to share my feelings about growing Cheng Mei over 3 years, and it can also count as a reply to all the orchid enthusiasts who wrote to me for advice. I especially emphasize that the following text is my feelings, not experience, still less any secret trick. Beginners can refer to it; old hands should look away!

Because it is a high-priced variety, in order to ensure the sprouting rate, I divide it rather frequently. Generally, I do not let three-generation plants stay idle. Even under such a forced propagation plan, in 3 years there is only this much quantity. This shows that Cheng Mei's sprouting rate is not high. Last year and this year, I only had one group of Cheng Mei produce double dragon shoots each year. So Cheng Mei's overall propagation rate is not high!

Even when Cheng Mei is divided into single plants, it can still produce robust plants. This goes against general orchid-growing ideas, but facts prove that as long as the mother plant is robust enough, a single plant can produce robust plants. In addition, Cheng Mei three-generation plants also have a very high probability of producing robust plants. Even if they do not produce robust plants that year, as long as management is proper, Cheng Mei recovers vigor very quickly.

Cheng Mei has good roots, so boldly apply heavy fertilizer and strong light. The plants grown this way have more dry matter in the leaves, are not prone to tip burn, and the plants also live longer. Healthy Cheng Mei likes sun and fertilizer.

Healthy new shoots of Cheng Mei grow very fast and can basically reach 90% of full size in the same year. Some orchid enthusiasts say Cheng Mei is hard to grow and grows slowly, but actually the plant is weak, the mother plant does not provide enough, and the new plant lacks explosive growth power. In addition, if you want strong new shoots the next year, I think you should let the shoots freeze for a period in an environment with a large temperature difference in winter, so the shoots accumulate nutrients and have explosive power in early spring.

The most, most important thing is the introduction stage. I have a pot of Cheng Mei introduced from an orchid enthusiast. When he let me grow it, he had already explained that this plant was hard to grow, prone to tip burn and plant decline, and advised me to be cautious. At the time I did not know my limits, was self-righteous, and insisted on introducing it at a low price. After taking it home, it kept having tip burn and declining. Growing it was utterly depressing. The orchid enthusiast wanted to refund me, and I stubbornly held on, searching everywhere for remedies. I once posted 2 help-seeking threads on Zhongjiao Web. During that time, Da Yong advised me to throw the plant away, and many orchid enthusiasts also offered me suggestions. Now this group of plants has gotten on track at my place, but the price paid is that what was 3 plants at the beginning is still 3 plants now. Not counting the wasted time and energy, the key is that it brought me a sense of frustration psychologically, so much so that later when I introduced plants from Longjuanfeng, I insisted that he also prepare the growing medium. Thinking about it now is really funny. I was completely stripped of confidence by one group of unhealthy Cheng Mei.... So when introducing Cheng Mei, it is better to introduce robust plants with a clear origin.