Detailed Explanation of Key Maintenance Points and Management Methods for Shengcao (Wild-Collected Orchids)

The maintenance of shengcao has some special requirements. The key points are introduced as follows: ① Heavy shading: After potting, place shengcao in a shady spot for 7 to 15 days, and the degree of shading should be controlled at above 80%. For those planted in the ground, even more attention should be paid to shading in the early stage of planting. ② Avoid excessive moisture: For shengcao planted in the ground, attention must likewise be paid to controlling soil moisture. For those whose roots are severely damaged and have poor water absorption capacity, measures such as shading, spraying water on the leaves, and spraying water on the ground can be adopted to increase air humidity. ③ No fertilizer: Do not fertilize in the first year; in the second and third years, only a modest amount of dilute liquid fertilizer should be applied. ④ Flower removal: Strictly control flowering in the first year. Flowering will exhaust the nutrients of the mother plant, which is already not robust. If there are many flower buds, keep only 1 to 2; remove the rest. After flowering, once the work of variety identification, division and planting, numbering, recording, and photography has been completed, the flower stems can be removed. ⑤ Plant protection: When resistance is weakened,pests and diseasesare extremely prone to spreading and running rampant among shengcao, so early prevention and control are necessary. Note: Among shengcao, novel varieties that are selected out are rarely seen as luxuriant and strong; their plants are often both few and weak, so they must be treasured all the more, carefully maintained, and ensured to survive, be acclimatized, and develop. Generally, after more than 3 years ofcultivation, most of the roots, stems, and leaves of shengcao have been renewed, and they gradually adapt to the new environment, thus becoming what is called "shucao" (acclimatized orchids). Lin Qingde, Mu Wei