The Style Characteristics of Orchids and Cultivation Management Techniques

   Since ancient times, the noble character of the orchid has become a symbol of the excellent virtues of the Chinese nation, deeply loved by the Chinese people. In our country, there are countless poems, songs and odes praising orchids, and orchid culture has a long and profound history. Truly, "one orchid plant is a thousand paintings, one orchid spike is ten thousand poems." The fragrance of the orchid is hailed as the "ancestor of fragrance," the "nation's favorite," and "the finest fragrance under heaven." It is often ranked alongside pine, bamboo and plum, yet bamboo has nodes but no flowers, plum has flowers but no leaves, and pine has leaves but no fragrance -- only the orchid possesses all of these. One might say it stands alone in elegance. Marshal Zhu De once wrote in a poem: "Speak lightly of adornment, for it is a national beauty; what fragrance can compare to the orchid?" The leaves of the orchid are both firm and supple, swaying in the wind with ten thousand graceful postures, unbroken by fierce winds, unwithered through frost and snow. Zheng Banqiao wrote: "Though the wind be wild, the leaves are unharmed; though the character be elegant, the flower is also fragrant" -- this is a portrait of the orchid. Orchids possess rich and complex high-level ornamental value, with a relatively high status of benefit in both material civilization and spiritual civilization. It can be foreseen that in the near future, orchids will certainly gradually enter the homes of ordinary people. Cultivation and management of orchids: based on more than ten years of practice and summarized experience, our nursery offers the following for the reference of fellow orchid growers:

    I. Characteristics of orchids: They prefer cool shade and detest strong light exposure, with a shading level of 70% being appropriate; they prefer moisture but fear waterlogging; they prefer gentle breezes but detest early wind and cold wind attacks.

    II. Soil selection: Whether orchids grow well or poorly, soil is the key. Orchids are suited to loose, fertile, humus-containing, slightly acidic soil, and detest sticky, easily compacted, alkaline soil. The orchid soil and ratios commonly used in our nursery: (1) humus soil, marl soil, pine needle soil, pond mud (sun-dried);

    (2) fired soil, rice husk ash, plant ash, sawdust;

    (3) fine river sand. The above growing media may be chosen freely and sourced locally;

    For the growing media in (1) and (3), it is sufficient to choose just one of any kind. For example: 40% humus soil, 30% fired soil, 30% fine river sand -- after the three are stirred evenly, they are ready for use. Note: orchid soil that has already been used for growing for more than two years cannot be mixed and used again. Natural growing medium sphagnum moss: growing orchids in sphagnum moss is convenient and hygienic, can retain warmth and moisture, promotes earlier rooting, develops a robust root system, and can reduce pests and diseases. It is currently a good growing medium being promoted in the orchid world.

    III. Potting: Orchids can be potted throughout the year, but September to April is the best potting season. Before potting, first divide the orchid seedlings, with two generations of parent and child plants forming a clump being appropriate, and cut off old roots and bad roots, then place them in a cool place to air-dry until the root system is soft. According to the size of the orchid pot, plant a corresponding number of orchid seedlings. When planting, first place a layer of coarser tile pieces and brick granules over the bottom hole of the orchid pot, then add one-third soil, then place the orchid seedlings into the pot with the new plants facing outward. With one hand holding the orchid seedling and the other hand straightening the root system, continuously add soil and shake evenly. The soil should not be pressed too tightly or filled too full; generally, it is appropriate for the pseudobulb to be one-third exposed. After potting, water thoroughly to settle the roots.

    IV. Management: 1. Watering: Watering should be determined according to climate, temperature, humidity, and observation of the pot soil -- do not water when not dry, and water thoroughly each time. 2. Fertilizing: During the growing period from April to September, orchids may be given a moderate amount of thin fertilizer. It is best to apply organic fertilizer, such as cake fertilizer and bone meal, which can be placed into the pot, or use 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate to water the roots or spray the leaf surfaces.

    V. Pests and diseases and their control: Once the habits and key cultivation techniques of orchids are mastered, diseases generally do not occur easily. The common pest is mainly scale insects, which can be sprayed with 500-700 times diluted dimethoate or dichlorvos; the main diseases are black spot disease and anthracnose, which can be sprayed with 800-1000 times diluted carbendazim or thiophanate-methyl once every 7-15 days.

    In short, when cultivating orchids, one should observe more, practice more, and continuously summarize experience. As long as the growth habits of orchids are mastered, good orchids can be grown.