How to grow Cymbidium kanran? Master the three key points of Cymbidium kanran cultivation

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People have long said that cultivating Cymbidium kanran is a matter of nine chances of death to one of survival. In fact, as long as you master the key points, its propagation rate is no lower than that of Cymbidium goeringii andCymbidium faberi. In more than three years of cultivating wild-collected Cymbidium kanran, my seedling production rate has been about 50% or more. I now share with fellow orchid growers a few insights from the cultivation process. I. Planting Cymbidium kanran mostly grows under dense broadleaf forest on steep slopes, with little light, shallow roots, and a thin layer of humus soil covering the roots, with good water permeability. Therefore, when planting, choose a tall purple-clay pot. Line the bottom third of the pot with coarse brick chunks and foam plastic blocks; fill the middle third with a mix of hemp mushroom soil, coarse sawdust, weathered stone, Zhijinshi, pond foundation stone, and soybean-sized brick granules; and for the upper part use rice-grain-sized weathered stone and brick granules mixed with a small amount of humus soil. The planting medium should be loose, breathable, well-draining, and highly insulating. In particular, note that using only hard media, sawdust, or humus soil alone results in low survival, seedling production, and flowering rates. II. Cultivation Because Cymbidium kanran differs from Cymbidium goeringii andCymbidium faberi in its growing environment, its cultivation methods should differ slightly. First, shading and temperature are similar to those forCymbidium sinense. Especially in high-temperature seasons with strong light, pay even more attention to shading and moisture retention. In addition, on sunny days, spray water on the leaves in the morning or evening, with about 80% shading. This way the leaf texture is glossy and disease is rare; in high-temperature seasons, I place Cymbidium kanran on the lower layer of the orchid rack, withCymbidium goeringii、Cymbidium faberiabove blocking the light, and the effect is quite good. Second, wind protection and freeze protection. In autumn and winter, avoid strong winds, and on frosty days cover them for warmth. Third, fertilizing. Cymbidium kanran planted with the above medium generally needs little or even no fertilizer, but from April to June you can spray the leaves with high-nitrogen fertilizer, such as Huabao No. 4, B1 sprouting agent, etc. From August to October, spray with phosphorus- and potassium-containing fertilizers, such as flowering fertilizer, Huabao No. 3, monopotassium phosphate, etc. III. Care Whether Cymbidium kanran can bloom, bloom well, and give off a delicate fragrance depends crucially on care. For dark-colored flowers, light should be a bit stronger; for plain-hearted ones, light should be a bit more shaded. From when the flower scape begins to elongate until before blooming, if you do not pay attention to plant protection, the flower buds easily become stiff and rot. For this reason, Cymbidium kanran flower buds are also easily attached by mites; this pest's color is similar to the flower buds, so it is often hard to find, and once found it must be controlled promptly, otherwise the flowers will not open. Thus, spraying insecticides such as Huakang No. 1 and fenpropathrin can effectively control it. Cymbidium kanran mostly opens in late autumn and early winter, when the weather gradually turns cold, and people often feel the fragrance is faint and the qi insufficient. To make Cymbidium kanran's delicate fragrance waft, during the flowering period it should get more sun, so that even at night it is full of clear fragrance. Cymbidiumkanranhas beautiful fragrance and form, brilliant flower colors, tall scapes rising above the leaves, upright and arching leaves, well-spaced density, elegant and floating, soft with strength, leaves and flowers both refined, and among Chinese cymbidiums it has a unique charm and will be valued.