Wet-Culture Orchid Growing Methods and Care Tips

The so-called wet methodgrowing orchidsmeans keeping the orchid leaves, pseudobulbs and roots constantly moist enough that whenever you look at the roots, they always feel damp. The procedure is: spray water on the leaf surface once each in the morning, at noon and in the evening, plus one extra time on summer nights (around 22:00). This is because the air in the north is dry, and theorchid growingsite is open to the public, so the orchid plants dry out easily. With this watering method, the key point to note is: the orchid plants must never feel "thirsty"; make sure their water needs are supplied promptly. The technique is to spray all the way through, stopping as soon as seepage appears at the bottom of the pot. When spraying, it is just like rain, "over head and face". The author has used the wet method forgrowing orchidsfor several years, and it has neither harmed the young shoots nor caused new shoots to rot. The first requirement of wet-culture orchid growing is: the substrate must be granular (such as charcoal, bark, etc.), both permeable to water and breathable, so that the exchange rate between air and water is extremely high and there is no waterlogging. Traditional humus soil (orchidmud and the like) cannot be used with the wet growing method. This may be the origin of "dry orchids, wet chrysanthemums". It should be explained that: with wet-culture orchid growing, you must try your best to simulate the natural ecological environment; during the growing season there must be sufficient water and fertilizer supply, but absolutely no waterlogging inside the pot. This point is very important. Also worth mentioning: with wet-culture orchid growing, try not to use organic fertilizers; use inorganic chemical fertilizers instead. Because chemical fertilizers are used in small amounts, can be freely adjusted according to the growth of the orchid plants, can be applied by watering the roots or spraying the leaves, and can be controlled at will by the grower. The author uses the wet method to grow orchids, with remarkable results. TakingCymbidium ensifoliumas an example, orchid plants purchased from the south mostly have 2 to 3 leaves per plant. After wet-culture cultivation, few new plants have 3 leaves, while most have 4 to 5 leaves. The leaves are wide and thick, glossy oily green, and by May some new shoots have already reached a leaf length of more than 30 cm. The new shoots are numerous and strong, the orchid plants are lush and verdant, and they bloom every year; the flower scapes can all rise above the leaves, with a rich fragrance. Some strong plants can produce 3 to 4 shoots, which is most delightful. (Jin Weng)