What is the growth process of orchid shoots?
A new local discovery from the end of November 2007, a new variety of Kanran (Cymbidium kanran) called Zixiu ("Purple Beauty"). Its overall form is dignified and elegant, delicate and refined. The three outer petals have white tips and a slight flutter, and the central column is especially beautiful against the square-notched lip. In the Kanran family, it is truly a rare new flower, though unfortunately it has no fragrance. Drawing on its fresh and elegant character, it was named "Qingqiao" ("Clear and Delicate").
Orchid growth process: fleshy bud --- young bud --- elongation --- leaf unfolding, four stages. Different growth stages require different care.
First: A fleshy bud that has just emerged from the soil does not need fertilizer; it grows on the trace nutrients provided by the mother plant.
Second: When the fleshy bud transitions to a young bud during its rapid growth period, it still relies on trace nutrients transmitted by the mother plant.
For the first and second stages, my care is the same. Small buds cannot be independent; they can only absorb negligible nutrients. No matter how many buds the mother plant carries, it can bear the burden. If fertilizer is applied during this period, the mother plant absorbs it and then transmits it to the small buds. The small buds themselves do not need fertilizer; they only absorb the tiny amount of nutrients needed to sustain themselves, and they cannot handle more, resulting in fertilizer burn.
Third: After the young bud enters the rapid growth phase, there will be a period when growth slows down. That is the rooting period of the young bud, and also the period when the young bud has the biggest appetite and needs the most nutrients. At this time, the young bud needs the mother plant to transmit nutrients with all its might. To nurture the next generation, the mother plant begins to struggle. At this point, giving some fertilizer ensures the mother plant's normal supply. Although the young bud has roots at this stage and can absorb some fertilizer, it still relies on the mother plant's support and still needs the mother plant to absorb nutrients and then transmit them to the young bud again.
Care during the third stage is the most important, as it directly affects whether the young bud can elongate again after rooting.
Fourth: During the young bud's second elongation period, it can absorb most of its nutrients on its own. Once it has height, its leaves unfold wide and long.
To grow orchids, first grow the roots. A mother plant with strong roots can absorb nutrients on its own and transmit them to the young buds. A mother plant with weak roots has weak absorption itself, and the transmission process delivers even more limited nutrients, so it will certainly not be able to produce strong seedlings. Anyone who drives knows that a small horse pulling a big cart is not a pleasant experience!~