Methods and Techniques for Cultivating Orchids with Sawdust

To improve the results of growing orchids with sawdust, I once made many attempts. Over 3 years I used it to grow many kinds of terrestrial orchids and epiphytic orchids, with fairly good results. The specific method is: take one sack of sawdust (wood shavings), add 1 kg of powdered superphosphate, mix evenly, then add 40-50 kg of decomposed livestock manure water, stir well, and sprinkle an appropriate amount of water so that it is thoroughly moistened without running off. Then pile it up and cover it with plastic film to prevent rain from soaking it. After about one week it can be used for plantingorchids. Practice has shown that orchids grown in this material not only do not have their original roots rot, but also grow new roots quickly and thickly. After planting, no further fertilizing is needed for a fairly long period, and vigorous growth can still be maintained. Cymbidium goeringii grown in other materialsCymbidium goeringii produce new shoots with only 4-5 leaves. But when grown in this sawdust, the vast majority of new shoots can reach 6-7 leaves; moreover, many plants can produce a second batch of new shoots by early June, and the propagation rate is noticeably increased. Dry sawdust is like a sponge, able to absorb fertilizer and water in excess of the usual amount. Once it absorbs enough, it releases it slowly. In addition, sawdust has good water permeability and air permeability, suitable for the growth and development of orchid roots and mycorrhizae, promptingorchids to maintain vigorous growth. Generally, after one year of planting, the sawdust will sink somewhat due to decay, and some of the same sawdust needs to be added onto the pot surface in time. Within two years there will be no effect onorchid growth, and after two years of planting it needs to be repotted once. When repotting, as long as the roots are washed clean with clear water and slightly trimmed, they can be planted again immediately. Growing orchids with sawdust is not limited by season or climatic conditions, and is suitable fororchid growing specialist households for large-scale cultivation. (Zhejiang - Fang Yonggen)