Methods and Techniques for Growing Orchids with Red Brick Granules

Growing orchidshas always been taboo to be wet; as the saying goes, orchids [prefer dry] and chrysanthemums [prefer] wet. People regardgrowing orchids's potting medium and watering as the key to growing orchids well. When orchid enthusiasts sit together and chat casually about orchids, the first thing they say is thatgrowing orchidsis difficult, and the difficulty lies in which potting medium to choose and how to water reasonably. An old saying goes: "Understanding orchid growing takes a single hint, but mastering watering takes three years of practice." This shows that just learning to water takes three years. And they often complain that the water was too wet again, while others say they probably did not water thoroughly, and still others say there are really so many scorched tips on orchid leaves. And so on; in a word, orchid growers all want to grow their own orchids to have good roots, produce many seedlings, and haveorchid plantsthat are strong, with flowers that are numerous, beautiful and fragrant. In the past, when I grew orchids, I also liked to use traditional methods. I mostly used a mixture of vegetable garden soil, charred soil and sawdust as the potting medium. The management methods were also the same old routine. Because in my mind I thoughtorchidsprefer dryness, I often did not dare to water too much, watering the surface but not the interior.Orchid plantscould not get sufficient water and nutrients, which affectedorchid plants' growth, seedling production and flowering. Most old plants had hollow roots and collapsed early. In other cases, watering was too wet. And if aeration and drainage were poor, roots rotted. This caused scorched orchid leaf tips and early death of old plants. Several times when I repotted, I always found very few orchid roots; they were either hollow or rotted, with fewer new roots. So each year a few seedlings were produced and a few plants died, and the number of orchid plants never increased; as for producing flowers, that was even harder. Starting in 1998, I subscribed to three magazines: ChinaOrchids, Orchids andOrchidInformation. I mail-ordered several orchid books. I treasured them like jewels, reading them whenever I had time, and using a pen to mark and underline key points and circle them. I also put the books on the tea table beside my bed and flipped through them a few times before sleeping. From them I benefited greatly. Now I have about 2000 pots of orchids. And the varieties are diverse: there areCymbidium goeringii、Cymbidium ensifolium, Cymbidium faberi,Cymbidium sinense、Cymbidium kanran. There are famous varieties. There are also what ordinary people call common orchids. I also spent 5000 yuan to build an 8 sq m aluminum alloy greenhouse to solve the problem of orchids overwintering. It really is endless joy, quietly observing and finding contentment. In February 2000, I tried growing orchids with red brick granules. 5 pots ofCymbidium goeringii, 5 pots ofCymbidium ensifolium(Longyan Su) (using tall purple clay pots). Compared with 5 pots each ofCymbidium ensifoliumgrown by conventional methods (using deep clay pots). One year later, the orchids grown with red brick granules had a seedling production rate as high as 100%-150%, well-developed root systems, not a single scorched leaf tip, and the orchid plants had bright colors, with beautiful flowers, a long flowering period, and pleasant delicate fragrance. With conventional growing methods, some orchid leaves always had scorched tips, fewer seedlings were produced, only about 60%, the seedlings were weak, the roots were poor, and old plants collapsed early. The method for processing red brick granules is as follows. Broken red brick pieces are available everywhere. After bringing them back, crush them with a hammer to about the size of soybeans. You can also go to a brick and tile factory to sweep up broken brick granules (they must also be crushed with a hammer to about the size of soybeans), then sift them with a rice sieve. Divide them into three sizes: large, medium and small, and separately use an iron plate on hard cement ground to grind off the sharp edges (the purpose is that after grinding, the brick granules are round and will not damage orchid roots). Put them separately into small vats and soak them in rice-washing water for one month; a longer time is even better (the purpose is to remove the heat and increase the nutrients of the brick granules). When about to use them, take them out and expose them to the sun for one day. First, to sterilize; second, for convenience when using (of course, half fairy soil and half pond foundation stone, or half red brick granules and half fairy soil would be even better, but the cost is too high). When growing orchids with brick granules, it is best to use tall purple clay pots. They retain moisture well and are beautiful and elegant. Of course, cheap deep plastic pots can also be used. The potting method is as follows: 1. Cover the bottom hole of the pot with double-layer window screen (to prevent ants); 2. Cover the bottom hole with a metal mesh cover from a water tank; 3. Put in foam blocks about the size of broad beans, 4 cm (for warmth and aeration); 4. Cover the foam blocks with 2 cm of large red brick granules; 5. Hold the orchid head with the thumb and index finger of one hand, brace the rim of the pot with the little finger, use bamboo chopsticks to arrange the roots evenly, trying as much as possible not to let the roots touch the pot wall; with the other hand slowly put in 4 cm of large red brick granules, distributing them evenly and shaking gently a few times; never press with your hands, so as not to damage the orchid roots; 6. Then slowly put in about 4 cm of medium granules, shaking gently while putting them in so they evenly adhere to the orchid roots; 7. Finally, use medium-small granules to bury the pseudobulbs completely as the standard, and shake firmly enough, smooth the surface, forming a mound slightly higher in the center. Keep it 1 cm from the pot rim; 8. Water thoroughly once, and place in a cool, ventilated place for one week (the leaf surface must be misted 2-3 times every day, and watered thoroughly every other day); 9. After one week it can be moved to the orchid room, but shading must be above 70%, and receiving morning light and diffused light is best. At this time, three granules of Zhixiang (orchid fertilizer, usable for half a year, sold in flower shops) can be put into each pot, in a triangular shape, 2 cm from the pseudobulb (placed 1 cm below the red brick granules). Afterward, mist every day and water thoroughly every other day. Water less in spring and winter, depending on whether the pot is dry or wet (but the brick granules must be kept moist). After one month, spray once a week with monopotassium phosphate plus edible vinegar; every other week use Lanjungong or root-promoting agent, for 3 consecutive times; the effect is excellent. Note: if the plant is large and there is a lot, use a large pot; if there are few plants and they are small, use a small pot. Growing orchids with red brick granules can be said to be wet-method orchid growing as well. Because the potting medium does not hold water, its advantages in aeration are: 1. It can inhibit various pathogens; 2. It can reduce many kinds of fertilizer damage; 3. It can save costs; 4. It keeps variegated-leaf orchids unchanged, whereas traditional potting media contain too much nitrogen, easily causing loss of variegation and eventually degeneration; 5. It can maintain the traits of high-grade orchids and keep them stable, economical and practical; 6. It is even better for red-flowered types, making the flowers redder and more beautiful; 7. Changes in the ecological environment cause trait degeneration, while using red brick granules as potting medium remains unchanged; as the saying goes, one place's water and soil nurture one place's people, and grow one place's flowers; 8. As for water, it is enough to control the PH value between 5.5-6.5. If orchid enthusiasts want to use red brick granules to grow orchids, they can give it a try. Because this potting medium costs no money and can be found everywhere. But one must choose according to each person's budget and preferences. And I am someone who loves orchids as if they were my life; orchids can be said to be my life. I will do my utmost to grow them well. I believe that theflower'sheartfelt effort will surely be repaid. But my orchid-growing experience is shallow, and there are many mistakes and places where I have spoken off the cuff; I still hope that all seniors in the orchid world and fellow orchid enthusiasts will offer many corrections. I express my thanks here. Address: Ningbo, Zhejiang (Yao Leimin)