How to Cultivate Yunnan Cymbidium tortisepalum with Leaf Mold

Special geographical conditions have formed Yunnan's wildorchidsand their great variety of special climatic conditions. According to research, there are more than 50 species of Cymbidium plants in the world, and more than 20 are distributed in China. The Cymbidium species in Yunnan include almost all recorded native Chinese Cymbidium plants, some of which are endemic to Yunnan, whileCymbidium tortisepalumis a rare specialty of Yunnan. Cymbidium tortisepalumis a variety with a long history of home cultivation and widespread influence in Yunnan (especially western or northwestern Yunnan).Cymbidium tortisepalumThe flowers of Cymbidium tortisepalum resemble lotus flowers, and the people of Yunnan call lotus flowers "lianhua", hence the name. Among the Bai and Naxi peoples, Cymbidium tortisepalum is called "xiaoxuelan", and in Taiwan, China orchid circles it is called "beiyalan". Cymbidium tortisepalum is a typicalCymbidium goeringiigenus, a terrestrial orchid, with white, thick roots, 0.5cm-0.8cm in diameter, 20-30cm long, some reaching more than 50cm, and the roots do not branch. The pseudobulbs are relatively small, generally 0.8-1.2cm high and 0.6-1.0cm wide, forming an elliptical spherical shape. The leaves of Cymbidium tortisepalum are generally 5-8, mostly 7, rarely more than 8, linear leaves, 40-50cm long and 0.4-0.6cm wide, a few more than 0.7cm, with serrated leaf edges, and the cross-section at the leaf base is "v"-shaped. The flowering period is from December to March, with 2-4 flowers per scape, flower diameter 5.5-6.0cm, with varieties in red, yellow, light green, white and pure-color, and a rich fragrance. Cymbidium tortisepalum varieties are easy to identify. Cymbidium tortisepalum mostly grows on hillsides at altitudes between 1500-2500m, under pine trees, oak trees and shrub forests, and especially likes to grow on semi-mountain slopes with many oak trees, where there is mostly loose humus soil. From the wild environment of Cymbidium tortisepalum, it prefers a moist, ventilated, air-permeable environment with sufficient nutrients, moderate acidity and alkalinity, and partial shade. In order to meet the above environmental requirements of Cymbidium tortisepalum, Yunnanorchid growersthrough arduous exploration, finally summarized the experience of using humus soil tocultivateCymbidium tortisepalum. CultivatingorchidsThe ideal soil for orchids is one containing a large amount of humus, loose and air-permeable, well-drained, with moderate nutrients, neutral acidity and alkalinity, free of pathogens and pests. It is generally divided into organic planting materials, inorganic planting materials, soil-type planting materials, etc. Humus soil belongs to soil-type planting materials and is widely used by Yunnanorchid growers. Humus soil is divided into humus soil and leaf mold, among which leaf mold is the best. Leaf mold fororchid growinghas the advantages of air permeability, drainage, sufficient nutrients, slight acidity, and easy availability. Yunnan orchid growers generally agree that leaf mold is the "staple soil" forcultivatingYunnan orchids. Leaf mold is the easiest to obtain; wherever forests and grasses are dense, there is leaf mold. There are many types of leaf mold, and in Yunnan the following are generally used: The most commonly used is rotten oak leaf soil, which is divided into yellow oak leaf soil and white oak leaf soil. Yellow oak leaf soil is superior to white oak leaf soil. Yellow oak leaf soil contains yellow oak essence, andorchidsneed yellow oak essence most for growth. Yellow oak leaf soil has yellow leaf backs and green leaf surfaces, thick leaf texture, and hairy thorns on the leaf edges. White oak leaf soil has green leaf backs and surfaces, thin leaf texture, and no hairy thorns on the leaf edges. Next is shrub leaf mold. Shrub leaf mold is humus soil formed by the decomposition of fallen leaves in mixed miscellaneous wood forests. This kind of leaf mold is a mixed type with comprehensive nutrition. Because shrub leaf mold is a mixed type, its degree of decomposition varies, and because the leaves are thin and easily broken, it is easy to damage orchid roots when used. Due to the natural ratio of the mixed type, humus soil has poorer drainage than rotten oak leaf soil. Third is rotten pine needle leaf soil. Rotten pine needle leaf soil is a slightly acidic planting material and is relatively beneficial to the growth of Cymbidium tortisepalum, but it must be decomposed to a soft and fluffy degree and must not prick the hands, so as to prevent puncturing orchid roots, and its nutrition is also insufficient. Fourth is other leaf mold. Such as rotten willow leaf soil, rotten grass leaf soil, rotten bamboo leaf soil, crushed leaf-type soil, etc. This type of soil is not easy to obtain and can only be made by artificial decomposition. In Yunnan, the cultivation of Cymbidium tortisepalum mainly uses yellow rotten oak leaf soil. Because leaf mold is produced in the natural environment, it has many pathogens and pests, and there are also many cases of physical damage, so special care should be taken when using it. First, its acidity and alkalinity should be tested. A pH value of 5.5-7.0 is most suitable for orchid growth. If it is too acidic, an appropriate amount of lime can be added; if it is too alkaline, ferrous sulfate, superphosphate, etc. can be added. Second is disinfection treatment. Disinfection methods include: exposing it to sunlight for more than three days; steaming it with 100-degree steam for more than 1 hour; treating it at low temperature below zero for about one week, and chemical disinfection, etc. The leaf mold treated as above can then be used to plant Cymbidium tortisepalum. Cymbidium tortisepalum cultivated with leaf mold should also be managed and maintained with suitable methods. The main aspects are water management and fertilizer management. Water management is the most important link in the entire orchid-growing process. The watering method varies with season, temperature, sunlight, pot body, ventilation and other conditions. Generally, the method of combining full soaking with leaf surface spraying is used. When the leaf mold is completely dry, place the pot body in water, with the water surface about 3-4cm lower than the pot edge, and soak for 2-4 hours. Normally, spray water on the leaf surface once every 3-4 days, just enough to wet the leaf surface, and do not let water enter the leaf buds. Soaking in water should be done before sunrise in winter and spring, and after sunset in summer and autumn. As for fertilizer management, for growing Cymbidium tortisepalum with leaf mold, it is not an important link. Because leaf mold has comprehensive and sufficient nutrition, it generally does not need separate fertilization. In Yunnan, changing the leaf mold once every 1-2 years is generally enough to supply the orchid with nutrients. If the pursuit is for home-grown orchids to be stronger, more beautiful, and longer-lasting than natural growth, fertilizers mainly based on nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements can be applied, but fertilization must be light, because the leaf mold is rich in fertilizer and Cymbidium tortisepalum does not need too much fertilizer. I hope all orchid friends can cultivate Cymbidium tortisepalum with strong seedlings and beautiful flowers! Zhou Yaoxian Kunming Iron and Steel Group Real Estate Development Company, Kunming City, Yunnan Province [email protected]