What are the latest propagation methods for Bletilla striata (hardy orchid)?
Bletilla striata prefers a warm, shady and humid environment, such as under forest in wild valleys; it is slightly cold-tolerant and can be grown in the open field in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. It is strongly shade-tolerant and dislikes direct strong light; in summer when it is hot and dry, the leaves tend to turn yellow and wither. It is suited to sandy loam soil that drains well and is rich in humus. The propagation methods of Bletilla striata mainly include division propagation and seed propagation. Let's take a look together below!
Division propagation of Bletilla striata
Bletilla striata is commonly propagated by division. Before new leaves sprout in spring or after the aboveground parts wither in autumn and winter, dig up the old plants, divide the pseudobulbs and replant them. Each plant can be divided into 3-5 plants, and each must carry a terminal bud. Traditional cultivation mainly relies on division propagation.
However, because division propagation has a long cycle and low propagation efficiency, and consumes a large amount of planting material, it is difficult to meet the needs of large-scale cultivation.
Seed propagation of Bletilla striata
Bletilla striata can also be propagated by seed, but its seeds are very small and have no endosperm, so under natural conditions they are very difficult to germinate and grow, and cultivating seedlings is rather difficult.
Tissue culture technology can rapidly propagate large numbers of seedlings. By carrying out sterile sowing on different culture media and using tissue culture methods for clonal propagation after the seeds germinate, effective rapid propagation techniques are being explored to achieve large-scale production of Bletilla striata seedlings.
Pest and disease control of Bletilla striata
Black spot disease often occurs; spray with a 1000-fold dilution of 70% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder. Sometimes there is damage from root-knot nematode disease; drench the potting soil with 3% carbofuran granules.