How to grow Phalaenopsis orchids? A detailed guide to cultivation methods and techniques

Mr. Zhu Fuzhong of the Forestry Bureau of Jidong County, Heilongjiang Province, wrote to ask: I bought a potted Phalaenopsis orchid with a nutrient pot at the market, and because I lack experience, I am writing to your publication to ask about its living habits and cultivation techniques. Answer: The cultivation of potted Phalaenopsis orchids should pay attention to the following five aspects. First, watering. Because Phalaenopsis is an epiphytic orchid native to the high-humidity tropical rainforest, it has no thick pseudobulbs to store water and nutrients, so it is best to place it in a ventilated and high-humidity environmentCultivation, and the most suitable relative air humidity is 70% during the day and 60% at night; water more during vigorous growth, but do not let water accumulate, and water less during the dormant period after flowering; in spring and autumn, water once a day at 5 p.m., in summer water once at 9 a.m. and once at 5 p.m., and in winter water once a week, with watering time preferably around 10 a.m.; in cold weather it is best not to water and to keep it slightly dry. Second, light. Potted Phalaenopsis orchids are generally best kept in a place with 50% to 60% shading, and direct sunlight must be avoided; shading can be adjusted according to the intensity of sunlight in different seasons, with 80% shading in summer, 60% shading in autumn and spring, and 40% shading in winter. Second, temperature. Its optimum growth temperature is 20°C to 30°C, and at night it should be kept above 18°C, while during the day it should be about 26°C; in summer it must not exceed 35°C, and in winter it must not be lower than 10°C, otherwise its overwintering and summering will be seriously affected; flower bud differentiation requires a temperature below 18°C, and after differentiation the temperature should be raised to 20°C to 25°C, which can induce rapid growth of the flower stem. Fourth, fertilizer. If a nutrient solution is available, it can be applied by watering according to the specified usage and dosage; if no nutrient solution is applied, fertilization can be self-regulated, with nitrogen fertilizer as the main type before flowering, and a thoroughly rotted cake fertilizer solution at a concentration of 20% can be applied once every two weeks; as flowering approaches, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be the main type, and a 0.1% to 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution can be applied once every 10 days; a thoroughly rotted chicken and duck manure liquid fertilizer can also be used, with a concentration of 10% being suitable; after the plant stops growing, topdressing should be stopped. Fifth, propagation. Under household conditions, division propagation is the main method, and from a mature large plant, small plantlets with 2 to 3 robust roots can be cut out and planted in suitable growing media, such as sphagnum moss, tree fern fiber, and fern roots. (Hu Yimin)