Substrate Selection and Potting Methods for Growing Orchids on a Balcony

The quality of the substrate isbalconyorchid growingthe key to success or failure. With the continuous development of modernorchid growingtechniques,orchid growingincludes the coarse substrate method, fine substrate method, water culture method and air culture method, etc. Looking at all these methods, it is clear that water and air are the key to growingorchidswell.Balcony orchid growingmostly lacks professional orchid-growing conditions, and none of the above methods is fully suitable forbalcony orchid growing. For balcony orchid growing, the substrate suitable for the environment should be prepared according to the balcony's ventilation and the air permeability of the orchid pot. Through experimentation, the author used the following substrate ratio, for reference: 1. Perlite 35%; 2. Sawdust 10%; 3. Furnace slag 15% (crush honeycomb coal slag, maximum size the same as a peanut kernel, remove the black charcoal that has not burned through, rinse and sun-dry): 4. Pine needles 20%, sun-disinfected for later use; 5. Soil 20%, choose pond mud or paddy field mud, sun-dry and crush to a maximum size the same as a soybean grain. Pond mud and paddy field mud are highly viscous, and the fine soil particles have strong adhesion, so they do not easily flow with water during watering and change the basic substrate structure, while the larger particles do not easily pulverize when exposed to water. When the pot is dry, it can adjust the substrate moisture. Mix perlite, sawdust, furnace slag and pine needles evenly, spray wet, then add the soil and mix well. After the substrate is prepared, its performance should be tested by potting according to thecultivationprocedure for orchid plants, watering thoroughly and placing in a ventilated spot on the balcony; after four days in winter or two days in summer, tip the substrate out and check the soil moisture in the pot. At this time, a substrate moisture content of about 20% is good, that is, it looks somewhat dry and can be squeezed into a ball with strong hand pressure. If too dry, appropriately increase the coarse-grained mud; if too wet, appropriately reduce the proportion of fine-grained mud. This is an important basis for daily watering and must not be ignored. After the substrate is prepared, its pH should be tested. Unless there are special circumstances, this type of substrate is basically usable; if unsuitable, it can be appropriately adjusted with rice vinegar or plant ash. Before potting, the orchid plant's roots, stems and leaves should all be rinsed with tap water; tap water has a certain disinfecting and sterilizing effect. After cleaning, cut off roots with disease lesions and spray the whole plant with chlorothalonil plus Bingdubike according to the proportional instructions, then dry in the shade ready for planting. According to the size of the flower pot, choose a mineral water bottle of suitable size and cut a section equal to 1/4 of the orchid pot's height, cut peanut-kernel-sized holes around the sides and top, and place it in the center of the bottom of the orchid pot. Fill around it with broad-bean-sized foam blocks up to 1/3 of the orchid pot, then add 2-3 cm of crushed brick granules. Generally, 8-10 cm of growth space should be left at the top. After the bottom is padded, place the prepared orchid plant in the center of the flower pot, with the depth such that the top of the pseudobulb is slightly higher than the pot rim surface. Add substrate while shaking to help the substrate settle firmly. After the substrate is full, shape the substrate into a semicircle; the top of the substrate should exceed half of the pseudobulb. A depth of 2 cm should be left at the edge, and the pot rim surface should be covered with crushed brick granules following the slope, then pressed lightly with the palm. After the orchid plant is planted, place it in a shaded, ventilated spot, water thoroughly after 5 days, water thoroughly once more after 10 days, and then bring it into normal management. Planting with wet substrate requires no initial watering, which can avoid accidental damage to orchid roots during planting and infection by pathogens caused by watering. (Song Mingyuan)