Detailed explanation of orchid potting methods and steps

OrchidsPotting isorchidcultivationa basic skill. We advocate using tall cylindrical pots and mastering the flat-planting method, but in actual application it is both simple and complex. When using clay pots, the growing medium can be leaf mold soil. It is recommended not to use dust-fine soil below the 14-mesh size. After the pot has been aged, the bottom hole should preferably be covered with a drainage cover, or plastic window screen will also do, and then a layer of brick fragments, tile fragments or foam plastic blocks about the size of a broad bean should be placed in (to create a space for water and air exchange; foam plastic is an excellent bottom-layer material), because of its good air permeability, when orchid roots extend they can penetrate the plastic blocks and reach toward the bottom of the pot. Orchid seedlings are divided and combined according to the cultivation purpose. For example, in order to propagateCymbidium goeringii, for strong plants with good pseudobulb root systems, generally 3-5 seedlings per pot is more suitable; if small plants are being rejuvenated, or for flower viewing or exhibition purposes, 7-8 or even 10 seedlings can be planted in one large pot. For Cymbidium ensifolium, use a deeper and larger pot, and there should be no fewer than 3-4 seedlings, because the pseudobulbs are small and do not easily produce new growth. For Cymbidium ensifolium to bloom, the large field-grown plants should be retained as much as possible. If all are healthy plants, first clean away dead roots and rotten roots, and retain as much of the rhizome as possible to aid in anchoring and water transport. Diseased spots and scorched leaf tips should be cut into wedge shapes with sharp scissors for better appearance. After trimming, they can be potted. If the root system and leaves are severely diseased, after trimming, soak and wash them in 1% copper sulfate or potassium permanganate solution for about a minute, let them dry slightly, and then pot them. Before potting, the soil that has been screened by grade should be sprayed slightly with water so that it is moist but does not clump. When there is no floating water, place the prepared orchid seedling in the exact center of the pot, with the top of the pseudobulb 2cm below the pot rim. The roots should be spread evenly. With one hand holding the orchid seedling upright, use a flower scoop with the other hand to fill soil around each root in the pot, filling large granules to about one third. On a soft surface, shake the pot, then add medium-granule soil, shaking the pot while filling. When filling reaches the middle of the pseudobulb, both hands can gently tap the pot on the ground to firm it so that there are no gaps around the roots. If the pseudobulb is found to be too low, it can be gently lifted and then firmed again. Then cover the pot surface with fine-granule soil so that the pseudobulb is not exposed, and make the growing medium 1-2cm below the pot rim, which is appropriate. After potting a batch of plants, if they are traditional famous varieties, they should be numbered well, labeled with tags, and sprayed and washed with a fine-spout watering can over the leaves and around the pot from top to bottom until water flows out from the bottom. The finished orchid pots should be placed on a shelf with scattered light and good ventilation, and preferably should not be exposed to sunlight within one week. Next, the key operating points for using Hewang brand Xiantu are: for the bottom layer, use tile fragments and foam plastic blocks, and directly use medium granules. The most important issue is that before use, each grade of granules must be soaked thoroughly with water separately. Do not be constrained by the length of time; the granules should be taken out and broken open by hand to visually check whether the inside of the granules is thoroughly wet. If not soaked through, it will be very difficult to water thoroughly after planting. This is the key point to note when using Xiantu. The potting process is largely similar to potting in clay pots. The key point of potting lies in the bottom layer. If plastic window screen covers the bottom hole, it must be covered with small pieces of broken brick, tile or foam plastic as a drainage layer. If a machine-made plastic drainage cover is used to cover the bottom hole, three small foam plastic blocks are needed to elevate the drainage cover, so as to prevent water from remaining at the edges and failing to drain; then a drainage layer should also be laid. In this way, when granule material is used for potting, in summer it can be watered heavily with heavy fertilizer. No matter how much fertilizer water there is, it will not accumulate at the bottom of the pot and cause root rot. For soillesscultivationgrowing media, except for those suspected of contamination that should be sun-dried or sterilized by steam or microwave, all can be used separately by grade. From the bottom layer to the pot surface, use large, medium and small granules in layers, and pot to bury the orchid roots and pseudobulbs. Note that the rhizome must never be damaged. Sometimes chopsticks should be used to stir the broken soil so that it is evenly distributed around the orchid roots, avoiding gaps, and firming as much as possible. After the granule material is potted, the pot should be immersed in a bucket, shaking while soaking, so that the granule medium surrounds all orchid roots. If watering, water more than twice, and be sure to water thoroughly to avoid burning the roots. Regardless of which potting method is used, the pseudobulb should be covered tightly, because the pseudobulb is the base for rooting and producing new growth; each pseudobulb can grow seven or eight roots and has seven or eight latent buds. Rooting and sprouting both occur under dark conditions, so if not covered tightly, it is unfavorable for rooting and sprouting. We do not advocate planting Selaginella uncinata in orchid pots indoors or on balconies. After years of observation, orchids grown in soilcultivation，orchidswithout Selaginella uncinata are clean and grow very well. Indoors and on balconies where orchids are grown, special attention should be paid to cleanliness and hygiene. If Selaginella uncinata is planted, it will inevitably attract various insects such as mites, aphids and centipedes, so it is better not to plant this plant. (Guan Wenchang, Zhu Hexing)