For orchid cultivation, it is still better to use "Xiantu" (fairy soil)

Soil iscultivationorchidthe main key. The discovery and promotion of "Xiantu" has only been a few years, but practice has already proven it to be a high-quality substrate for growing orchids. Using "Xiantu" has the advantages of being loose and fertile, retaining water and allowing air passage, and being rich in organic matter, and it is slightly acidic.cultivatingorchidsit is convenient and clean, and as soon as it came on the market it was favored by manyorchidenthusiasts. Through several experimental observations, the author puts forward the following views for fellow orchid growers' reference. 1. "Xiantu" is most suitable for use with plastic orchid pots Because "Xiantu" has high mailing and transport costs, it is slightly more expensive than other substrates. However, it is convenient and hygienic to use, and is especially suitable for urban apartment dwellers. If it is further paired with trumpet-shaped plastic orchid pots, with a pot diameter of 15x20 cm being suitable, then it takes up little space, uses less soil, and is easy to manage. Add one third brick granules at the bottom of the pot as a base, and 500 grams of "Xiantu" per pot is already enough. After planting, there is no need to change the soil for more than two years. This method is not very suitable for tall and imposingCymbidium sinenseas there is a risk of being top-heavy. For spring orchids, Huilan,Cymbidium ensifoliumthere is no problem. In normal management, spraying some "Jialanbao" or potassium dihydrogen phosphate is enough. It saves trouble and is convenient, achieving unity of orchid, pot, and soil, beautiful and elegant. 2. Other substrates can be added to "Xiantu" "Xiantu" as an orchidcultivationcarrier, in a broad sense just "Xiantu" is enough; in a narrow sense, according to the different varieties you cultivate, you can add a certain proportion of different substrates, and the effect will be even better. If what you are planting is a leaf-art orchid type, you can mix part of the Xiantu with brick granules, tree fern, or degummed bone meal, etc. For flower-art orchids, you can add some sphagnum moss or leaf mold, etc. In the Shaoxing area, human urine sediment (urinary scale) is added to orchid-growing soil. I tried soaking human urine sediment in water for one month, drying it in the sun, crushing it, and adding it to Xiantu, and the effect was also very remarkable. In short, according to different varieties, you can cater to their preferences and just give a slight emphasis. 3. "Xiantu" also needs fertilizing Some varieties such as dwarf Cymbidium sinense and large-leafCymbidium ensifolium, etc., because their leaves are broad and strong, need more fertilizer. Especially when purchased with flowers and potted, after flowering they also need nutritional supplementation. Relying only on the limited Xiantu in the pot is difficult to sustain. Therefore, more than half a year after planting, and before buds and after flowers, in addition to spraying fertilizer, a suitable amount of liquid fertilizer should be added, applying thin fertilizer frequently, so as to promote strong buds and fragrant flowers. For the sake of hygiene, imported compound fertilizer can be used, sprinkling a dozen or so granules on the pot surface per pot, letting them slowly dissolve when watering, once every two months. Never use too much. 4. Observe the pot soil surface to know the condition of the orchids When growing orchids in clay pots, everyone knows to tap the pot body to tell dry from wet. After switching to Xiantu with plastic pots, wetness and dryness are easy to judge. In summer, water twice a day, convenient and easy to learn. But in cultivation it is found that some strong plants are fine with watering twice a day, while for some weak seedlings, water applied in the morning still leaves the pot soil wet and not dry by evening. For this, the cause must be found. Weak seedlings must be watered less; watering more instead promotes root rot. For seedlings with already rotted roots, no matter the season, they must be pulled out, disinfected, and replanted. At the same time, after planting they should be kept slightly drier, and one cannot be bound to watering twice a day. Also, cities generally use tap water to water orchids. Over time, the alkali content in the pot increases, and the pot surface appears white stone-gray. At this time, it is necessary to water several times with a dilute solution of ferrous sulfate to let it return to slightly acidic, so that it is suitable for seedling growth. 5. Good orchids need protection from mice stealing, insects biting, and sudden rain soaking Growing orchids in Xiantu has many benefits, but it is not that once planted everything is fine. Those who use Xiantu grow relatively precious orchids. Unexpectedly, mice are especially fond of stealing and biting good orchids. Therefore, the first thing in home orchid growing is to prevent mice. Everyone knows that pseudobulbs can sprout. Especially for precious orchidflowers'old pseudobulbs, most will not be discarded. Using rooting hormone and bud-promoting hormone is troublesome for a while, and they are carefully planted into pots hoping they will sprout. Unfortunately, before the buds come, they have already become a meal for mice! Sometimes when the green bud tips emerge from the soil, they are bitten off by mice and tossed aside. There is no way to guard against it completely. Some people put hair on the pot surface to scare mice, but the fundamental problem is not solved. The best way is still to place rat poison over the long term in the orchid-growing area; otherwiseorchid plantscannot be grown securely. Orchid plantswhen new buds emerge from the soil, it is inevitable that insects will come to bite. The reliable method is to apply three grams of carbofuran per pot on the pot surface to kill them, once every three months, which can relieve the worry of insect bites. For orchids grown in courtyards, sudden rain is especially taboo. Do not forget to provide rain cover. Be cautious, be cautious. Zhao Jun, 235-104 Yanhe East Road, Jintan City, Jiangsu Postal code: 213200