A Detailed Guide to the Cultivation Methods and Precautions for Dendrobium officinale

Dendrobium officinale grows on semi-shaded, damp rocks in mountainous areas at altitudes of up to 1600 m. It is mainly distributed in Anhui, Zhejiang, Fujian and other places in China. Today we introduce the cultivation methods and precautions for Dendrobium officinale.

1. Cultivation methods for Dendrobium officinale

1. Substrate

Dendrobium officinale grown in soil will, at best, fail to grow and, at worst, die. Common and practical substrates mainly include bark such as pine bark, sphagnum moss, gravel, coconut husk, moss, and crushed wood shavings. Find a large piece of rotten wood to grow Dendrobium officinale; the main characteristics of these materials are good water retention, good ventilation, and no waterlogging.

2. Environment

Dendrobium officinale is suited to growing in a cool, moist environment with good air circulation. Therefore, it is common to see many cultivation bases with a layer of shade netting placed above, which can prevent water from evaporating too quickly and also give it suitable lighting conditions.

3. Planting

When planting Dendrobium officinale, note that the stems must not be buried in the substrate; we only need to cover most of its roots well with the substrate. If planted too deep, water will remain excessive for a long time, which will cause it to wither and die. After planting, we need to water the substrate thoroughly.

4. Care methods

After Dendrobium officinale is planted, we must always keep it growing in a well-ventilated place, and we must provide it with shade. For home care, it is generally placed on a north-facing balcony or an east-facing balcony or windowsill; in the morning it can be exposed to sunlight, while in the afternoon the high temperatures make direct sunlight unsuitable. In summer, pay attention to shading and try not to let it receive direct strong light.

2. Precautions for Dendrobium officinale

When growing Dendrobium officinale on a sunny balcony, we can place it under large plants so that the large plants block the sunlight for it. When watering normally, it needs to be done in the evening; the hot afternoon is not suitable for watering. In rainy weather, Dendrobium officinale generally grows very quickly.

The cultivation time for Dendrobium officinale is generally the two seasons of spring and autumn each year, and spring is better than autumn. In the Zhejiang region, the best time to cultivate Dendrobium officinale is from mid-April to late June each year; during this period the temperature is 12~25°C, and the air humidity is relatively high.