Detailed Explanation of Key Orchid Cultivation and Management Techniques

Site

The orchid shed should be situated in a location facing east with its back to the west, with open space to the southeast and a high wall or large tree to the west and rear. It should receive the early morning sun while blocking the harsh midday sun. The surrounding micro-environment should have clean air and a courtyard with some humidity. Pay attention to ventilation, exposure to dew, avoidance of harsh sunlight, and prohibition of smoke. If built on a rooftop or a balcony on an upper floor, in addition to overhead shade, curtains should mainly be hung on the northwest side to prevent the slanted rays of the afternoon setting sun from scorching the grass leaves. Under the orchid shed, it is best to use bare earth or install a clear water pool below to keep the air around the orchid shed humid. Also pay attention to ground cleanliness to prevent the breeding of pests and diseases. When the outdoor temperature drops to around 0°C, the orchid pots must be moved indoors to prevent frost damage to the orchid roots.

Orchid Pots

Traditional orchid cultivation uses clay pots. Because the traditional growing medium is orchid mud, and the mud particles are extremely fine. To allow the orchid roots to breathe, clay pots are used. Due to changes in growing media and the need for ornamental value, sand pots and glazed pots are now mostly used. Since orchid roots are slender and long, tall, open-mouthed, trumpet-shaped round pots are best. To facilitate drainage, the hole at the bottom of the pot should have a large diameter. To enhance air circulation inside and outside the pot, the pot base should preferably be high with three feet. Porcelain pots are less commonly used due to poor breathability.

Growing Media

1. Orchid mud: soil accumulated in depressions of mountain rocks from decomposed leaves, with the characteristics of being loose, well-draining, and fertile. The pH value is between 5.5-6.5.

2. Fire-baked soil: granular soil left after the surface soil of raw weeds has been baked over fire.

3. Xiantu: granular soil mined and processed from Mount Emei in Sichuan, available in three sizes: large, medium, and small.

4. Pine and cypress orchid stone (volcanic stone): produced in Taiwan, China, available in three sizes: large, medium, and small.

5. Kuangji stone: produced in Taiwan, China, a continuous bubble body made from high-mountain mineral soil as raw material through technical processing. Available in three sizes: large, medium, and small.

6. Zhijinshi: produced in Japan, available in three sizes: large, medium, and small.

7. Emperor stone: produced in Japan, a natural breathable porous stone.

8. Perlite: strong drainage, moisture-retaining, and relatively good breathability.

Orchid Shed

Orchids prefer shady, well-ventilated places. Without the shade of an orchid shed outdoors, they will inevitably suffer from harsh sunlight and violent rain. Traditional orchid sheds use bamboo frames with cloth curtains and bamboo blinds. On sunny days they block the harsh sun, on rainy days they keep out the rain, and at night the curtains are pulled back to let the orchids bathe in dew. Modern orchid sheds are mostly made of metal, using shade nets and plastic sheeting to block sun and rain. Orchid benches can be divided into stepped and platform types, for ease of management. For indoor cultivation, no shed is needed.

Planting

After completing the preparations for the orchid site, orchid shed, orchid pots, and growing media, the orchids can be planted. First, soak the orchid pot thoroughly with clean water, cover the bottom hole with a plastic mesh, and use coarse stones or coarse xiantu as the bottom layer, to a height of 1/3 of the pot's depth. If using coarse-grained xiantu, it must first be soaked in water for ten days. Then place the orchid in, straighten the orchid roots, and add medium-grained xiantu or coarse-grained orchid mud. Place it to about one inch below the pot rim, use the finest xiantu or orchid mud to fill around the orchid's pseudobulbs, and then cover the top with a layer of medium-to-fine xiantu or fine gravel. When placing the orchid seedling in the pot, pay attention to leaving space for future new shoots. After watering and keeping in the shade for a week, it can be placed normally in the orchid shed for care.

Management

1. Zhao Shigeng of the Song Dynasty, "Jinzhang Orchid Manual": "If the terrace is too high, it will be struck by the sun; if too low, it will be hidden from the wind. The front should face southwest, the back should face north, so as to admit the southern breezes and block the northern winds. The ground need not be vast, for if vast there will be too much sun; nor should it be narrow, for if narrow the air will be blocked. The right side should be near a forest, the left side should be near open fields, so as to draw in the eastern sun and avoid the western sun. In summer, when encountering scorching sun, shade them; in winter, when encountering severe cold, expose them to the sun. The lower sand should be loose; if loose, continuous rain cannot waterlog them. The upper sand should be moist; if moist, the fierce sun cannot dry them out. As for inserting frames to guide the leaves, leveling the sand to protect the roots, preventing damage from earthworms, and prohibiting nests of ants and termites. Remove weeds and clear away their silk-like debris, help their new shoots, and prune their withered leaves. This is the method of loving and nurturing them."

2. Li Minkui of the Ming Dynasty, "Secrets of Orchid Cultivation": "In spring, no wind (later changed to 'in spring, do not bring out'); in summer, no sun; in autumn, do not let dry; in winter, do not let wet."

3. Feng Jingdi of the Ming Dynasty wrote in the preface to "Lan Yi": "The way of cultivating orchids is complete in the Tiangen Yi; the enlightened describe it, applying it appropriately according to the times. However, the temperament, virtue, and achievements of orchids are sometimes not fully expressed in books. I have privately reconciled the theories of the hundred schools to elaborate their meaning, making twelve chapters in all, which serve as the wings of the Yi."

"They delight in the sun but fear the heat, delight in wind but fear the cold." (This discusses the temperature requirements for orchid growth, namely what they like and fear regarding yin and yang, warmth and cold.)

"They delight in rain but fear waterlogging, delight in moisture but fear wetness, delight in dryness but fear aridity." (This discusses the water requirements in orchid cultivation.)

"They delight in fertilizer but fear turbidity, delight in soil but fear thickness." (This discusses the requirements for growing media and fertilizing.)

"They delight in tree shade but fear dust, delight in warm air but fear smoke, delight in people but fear insects." (This discusses cleanliness and hygiene, insect removal, and sterilization.)

"They delight in clustering together but fear separation from the mother, delight in cultivation but fear pampering." (This discusses the clustering growth habit of orchids and the need for proper cultivation and management.)

4. The twelve-month flower cultivation method in "Lan Hui Jing"

In the first month, the weather is cold; do not take them out of the room. You must prevent the mud from drying out and causing damage. When the mud around the pot rim has dried through and pulls away from the shell, it is excellent to water with raw fermented slurry.

In the second month at the Spring Equinox, let in a little air; water with two or three cups of river water. Consider the size of the flower pot; do not pour water into the center of the pot.

In the third month, when spring is mild and the days grow warm, give orchids careful thought regarding wind and dew. Though the east wind may be strong, it does no harm at all; but the fierce northwest wind should be avoided.

In the fourth month, clear and mild weather is truly good for growing; thunder and rain do no harm. But if there are prolonged rains, place them under a curtain; a little wind passing through will do no harm.

In the fifth month, the sun is slightly like fire. Water at night, dry in the early sun, and keep them shaded for three hours; after the shade passes the afternoon into the hours of Shen and You, the newly emerged shoots will not be harmed.

In the sixth month, with its scorching heat, water morning and evening; the running roots will penetrate and send up new shoots. If the shoots are still thin, how to treat them? A secret handed down by immortals: water with human milk.

In the seventh month, when the season first reaches the Beginning of Autumn, the new roots flourish and grow the shoot tips. If you see the root mud caking in the pot, loosen the soil, and it is best to use your fingertips.

In the eighth month at the Mid-Autumn Festival, frost and dew are heavy; fill the pot with grass juice. With strong roots and sturdy leaves, the autumn corms will plump up, and early-emerging new flowers will be different.

In the ninth month at the Double Ninth Festival, the wind gradually turns cold; the mud surface in the pot should not be dry. I urge you to expose them to more sun and more dew, and naturally new corms will push through the soil surface.

In the tenth month, the Little Spring brings both cold and heat; carefully guard against wind, rain, and severe frost. When the weather is mild, sun them by the window; when the weather is cold, it is better to store them in a warm room.

In the eleventh month, when the cold begins, do not take them out of the room; even if mild, keep the wind window closed. It is best to spread pine needles on the pot surface; otherwise cotton is also fine.

In the twelfth month, keep the windows tightly closed; in extreme cold and freezing, use a silver basin. When the pot is dry through, water lightly; scrape open on all sides but do not harm the center.

5. Xu Qilou's "Lan Hui Tong Xin Lu" and its "Four Seasons Formula for Planting Orchids and Huilan":

First month: Again the spring wind, the month established as Yin; in the warm room, settle them with extra care. Open the south-facing window, and diligently close it at night, so that the cold does not invade until dawn.

Second month: Apricot blossoms and spring rain bustle at the branch tips; joyfully see the delicate fragrance gradually sprout day by day. Under the eaves, avoid frost and guard against freezing; cherishing the flowers, one is often troubled by the night cold.

Third month: At Qingming season the rain is like silk, soaking through the moss marks when the buds are growing. Guard against stuffiness and move them to a bright, airy place; near the eaves, still forbid the north wind from blowing.

Fourth month: The huilan have finished blooming and the weather turns clear and mild; gradually one feels the sun's harshness and what to do about the exposure. Arrange flower-protecting curtain frames; half shade contends with a bamboo grove nest.

Fifth month: The moldy rain continues day after day, growing emerald stems; on the old clump, child shoots are seen sprouting again. In yin-yang weather, they should be carefully protected; do not let the fierce sun leak through the bamboo shed.

Sixth month: The heat soaks the central courtyard and does not dissipate; heavy curtains shade them in the morning and are lifted only at night. Next year's flower buds are trying to form; be cautious and it is best to water with grass juice.

Seventh month: The cool wind suddenly stirs, though the heat still smolders; when the mud dries, take care to water diligently. Having gained qi, the buds should first emerge from the soil; there is no need to fix the timing to the Autumn Equinox.

Eighth month: After the osmanthus steaming comes the fierce autumn sun; guard against drought harming the roots. Remember when the water chestnut season brings dryness, a pot of clear water is like fine jade nectar.

Ninth month: Tree leaves are destroyed and frost secretly flies; let them receive night dew and slight wind. Only when the marks on the tiles have thickened should they be placed under the south eaves to take in the dawn light.

Tenth month: The ridge plum suddenly blooms as Little Spring returns; again fear that warmth will bring frost and snow. Move them to the thatched hall to welcome the crisp air; offer them high in clay pots with the small window open.

Eleventh month: The cold moon of Guanghan, midwinter arrives; heaven and earth are ruthless, how to endure the freezing? Open the window at midday and close it again by the hours of Shen; protect them all around and further weave thatch.

Twelfth month: During the nine-nine period, beware that the freeze does not break; with the window sealed, fear even more that snow will fly in. If it comes to the point where dripping water turns to ice, furnace fire can call spring back.

6. "Du Men Yi Lan Ji" is the orchid cultivation experience of the Beijing region. The watering methods it proposes are treated separately according to the 24 solar terms within a year:

(1) Beginning of Spring, Rain Water: Spring orchids have already set flowers; the soil should not be too dry. Moisten slightly along the pot rim. If the autumn orchid pot has not dried to the bottom, do not water.

(2) Awakening of Insects: When the spring orchid pot has dried to the orchid pot (empty above, solid below), it may be given a weep-watering, but not too much; autumn orchids same as before.

(3) Spring Equinox: Spring orchids have finished flowering and should avoid dampness; when the pot is half dry, it may be moistened with water.

(4) Qingming, Grain Rain: Do not let the pot soil become too dry; moisten with water once every 5 days.

(5) Beginning of Summer: Orchids begin to come out of the room; it is suitable to water thoroughly once.

(6) Lesser Fullness: Do not let the pot soil become too dry or too wet. Spots appearing on the leaves mean too wet; new shoots with withered tips mean too dry. Water 1 sheng every 4 days so that the pot soil is moistened from the bottom up to 2/3.

(7) Grain in Ear: Beijing's air is dry; pay even more attention not to let it be too dry or too wet.

(8) Summer Solstice: The pot soil should not be too dry. If there is heavy rain, it can only endure one day; if there are consecutive days of overcast rain, the pot must be moved to a ventilated place.

(9) Lesser Heat: At this time the air is too humid, so the concern is not dryness but excessive wetness; the pot should be placed in a ventilated place. If it is dry and hot with little rain, water 1 sheng every 2 days. After a heavy rain or one heavy wetting, you must wait until the pot soil has dried to 2/3; otherwise it is not suitable to water again.

(10) Greater Heat: The pot soil easily dries all the way through; pay attention and only allow one heavy rain or one heavy wetting per day.

(11) Beginning of Autumn: Orchids at this time precisely need water; water 2 sheng every 3 days, and it is suitable to give them slight shelter from wind.

(12) End of Heat: Water once every 5 days; except for consecutive days of excessive rain, they may be allowed to receive rain and dew.

(13) White Dew: Autumn orchids need more frequent watering than spring orchids, but after heavy wetting they must dry thoroughly before they can be watered again.

(14) Autumn Equinox: If the autumn orchids have already produced flowers, water slightly less; if they have not produced flowers, slightly increase watering.

(15) Cold Dew: Autumn orchids are suitable for thorough watering; spring orchids are not suitable for thorough watering and should be moistened.

(16) Frost's Descent: Orchids should be brought into the room; the watering time is changed to midday, and after watering they must be placed in the midday sun for 1-2 hours.

(17) Beginning of Winter: Only moisten with water, about half a sheng every 5 days.

(18) Lesser Snow: The flower room should avoid warmth; it should not be too wet. If too damp, it can cause root rot, scarred leaves, and even withering. If the pot soil has not dried to the bottom, only slightly moisten the soil surface.

(19) Greater Snow: Autumn orchids need no water; spring orchids should be slightly moistened.

(20) Winter Solstice: Neither should be irrigated.

(21) Lesser Cold: Watering is forbidden for both.

(22) Greater Cold: Autumn orchids still need no water; spring orchids may be slightly moistened.