Is it better to plant orchids deep or shallow? A detailed explanation of planting methods
For planting Cymbidium lianpan in Yunnan, leaf mold (chestnut tree) is often used. Leaf mold for growing orchids has moderate fertility and acidity, retains water while draining well, and contains rich natural elements and beneficial microbial communities. It does not need to be sterilized, because after high temperatures the leaf mold's nutrients and beneficial microbial communities are damaged to some extent, fertility is released quickly, and the acidity...
Orchid growers who have native orchid habitats will discover that for orchids on the mountain, most of their old pseudobulbs are half exposed above the ground. I remember that in an ancient orchid book, Lan Yi, there is a saying: orchids like soil but fear it being thick. It can be seen that among naturally wild orchids, a very large portion grow very shallowly. Thus, some people also summarized the experience that "if an orchid is planted well, even the wind will blow it over."
When orchids are planted shallowly, most of the old pseudobulbs are exposed, receiving more light and fresh air, and to a certain extent reducing water and fertilizer injury to the root and bud growth points on the old pseudobulbs. In this way, the old pseudobulbs easily sprout and sprout more. Of course, when there are more buds, because of the supply relationship of nutrients, the buds are relatively weaker.
When orchids are planted deeply, the old pseudobulbs are buried in the growing medium. In ordinary management, especially when watering and fertilizing, it is easy to pour fertilizer and water into the central leaves. If they are new seedlings, they easily collapse. If a heavy-water cultivation method is used, because the leaf stalks and growing medium are in close contact, the leaf stalks are easily damaged by water, and then the leaves break. However, if planted deeply, to a certain extent the new bud points can accumulate strength, just like previously making two bud points' nutrients go to one bud point, letting the new bud get enough nutrition and continuously meet resistance during the process of emerging from the soil, thereby increasing its ability to emerge. Therefore, new buds from deep planting are relatively stronger and larger, so if orchids are planted deeply, they easily produce strong buds.
If we first plant the orchids shallowly so they fully receive light, then it is possible for them to sprout more. Then, after seeing the sprouting points, use a layer of sphagnum moss to wrap the old pseudobulbs, simulating deep planting of orchids, to increase the thickness of the pot surface, and provide appropriate water and fertilizer management. When the new buds grow, how long and how strong they become. In fact, some more careful orchid growers may have noticed that the brick granules on the surface of the pots where I plant orchids are relatively large. I plant the orchids a bit shallowly, then place large pieces of red brick granules around the old pseudobulbs, giving them an irregular small environment like deep planting. The purpose is also to achieve shallow planting and deep care.
It can thus be seen that deep planting and shallow planting each have advantages and disadvantages, but as long as management is proper and their advantages are complementary, orchid buds can be made to sprout more and grow strong.