What to Do About Orchid Microbiome Imbalance? Causes and Prevention Methods

Perhaps it is because of my profession, but at work I often encounter cases of human microbiome imbalance caused by the widespread use and abuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics, especially in vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children. These past two days I have often thought that with the massive application of preventive broad-spectrum antimicrobials, especially antifungal drugs, there should also be a certain impact on the normal microbiome of orchid roots! The normal symbiotic microbiome of orchid roots is currently thought to be mainly fungi, but it is certainly not the only component; it should also include other microbial groups, and its relationship with orchids can be seen as symbiotic. For example, about 40 species of the human normal microbiome have been clearly identified, with roles such as biological antagonism, nutrition, immunity, antitumor effects, and anti-aging effects. By the same reasoning, relative to orchids, the role of the normal root microbiome in the orchid plant can also be said to be enormous! The widespread use, and even abuse, of large amounts of preventive broad-spectrum antibiotics will inevitably cause microbiome imbalance, opportunistic pathogens, and superinfections. When cultivatingorchidsthis should also be taken as a warning! Let me talk about something more specific, which can count as my plans for next year in preventing orchid diseases and protecting orchid microbes: 1.Orchidwatering should meet the standard for residential drinking water; in bacteriological standards, this mainly means that E. coli must not be detected per 100 ml, which is what orchid enthusiasts mean by wateringflowerswith water that people can drink! 2. When fertilizing with homemade liquid fertilizer, it must be boiled, cooled, and then used, and used immediately after preparation. Self-made composted liquid fertilizer will inevitably contain a large number of decay microorganisms; how can one know which are useful and which are harmful? It is better to kill them all. 3. Preventive medication should be reduced to the minimum effective dose, and continuous use of the same type of antibiotic should not exceed 3 times. 4. Avoid the use of preventive antifungal agents. 5. Reduce drenching roots with fungicides. 6. After sterilization, be sure to apply some Orchid Microbe King to replenish normal orchid microbes. 7. Weak plants and diseased plants should have even more strengthened protection of normal orchid microbes. (As in Donglan)