Orchids grown with grass tufts give good results, worth a try

The "grass tuft" is a growing medium processed and extracted from grassy humus soil; this medium is especially suitable for growing orchids on balconies and in places with poor conditionsGrowing orchids, the author used "grass tufts" to grow orchids on a balcony for three years, achieving satisfactory results. After two years of promotion and use locally, good results were obtained; practice has proven that growing orchids with "grass tufts" causes no leaf scorch, few diseases, and excellent shoot growth and flowering, and is especially good for growing variegated-leaf and crystal types, with remarkable effects in prompting old plants and pseudobulbs to sprout new shoots. The method is as follows: 1. Processing and extraction of "grass tufts": put homemade or purchased humus orchid soil into a perforated sieve or winnowing basket or similar container, rinse and wash in river water or tap water, wash away all the mud, squeeze the water out of the remaining grassy part, and shape it into tufts for later use. 2. Planting method: choose small pots; according to the number of orchid plants, 1-4 plants use a 10 x 20 cm pot, 5-10 plants use a 14-20 cm pot, and so on; in short, it should not be too large. When planting, disinfect the orchid roots and let them dry, use soaked "snake mother" (osmunda fiber) as a bottom layer to 5 cm, then use about one cun of disinfected wet "snake mother" and the prepared "grass tufts" in a ratio of 60% "grass tufts" and 40% "snake mother"; after mixing evenly, pot them up by the usual method; after planting, either place them on a stand or sit the pots in water. 3. Control of water and fertilizer,Orchid grassafter planting, water thoroughly; control humidity according to climate changes; because the medium is highly breathable and highly free-draining, it is better to keep it on the moist side. In the Chengdu area of Sichuan, water once every 5-10 days in winter, once before 8 a.m. in summer, and once every 3-5 days in spring and autumn; every watering must be thorough. Fertilization should depend on the growth of the grass: for vigorous plants, spray "monopotassium phosphate" once every half month or water once with fully rotted diluted "oil cake" water; the two fertilizers are best used alternately; for weak plants, do not fertilize for the time being, and wait until the shoots are strong before fertilizing; stop fertilizing during midsummer and the dormant period. "Grass tuft" orchid growing is suitable for orchid enthusiasts in all places and at all levels. The materials are easy to obtain, the preparation is simple, and the price is convenient and affordable. As for just how good the results are: please give it a try and you will know. (Shao Kui)