Cultivation Techniques for New Cymbidium goeringii Varieties and Pest and Disease Control Methods

Jiangsu Province independent innovation project new Cymbidium goeringii varieties 'Huang Hudie' and 'Rui He'. Below, the editor of Huinong Network summarizes the cultivation techniques for these two new varieties.

The flower form of 'Huang Hudie' inherits the characteristics of the male parent 'Yu Hudie', and its flower color inherits the characteristics of the female parent 'Huang Shuixian'. Its ornamental value lies in the fact that it not only satisfies the petal types revered by Chinese people, with an elegant fragrance, but also makes up for the shortcoming of monotonous flower colors among Chinese cymbidium varieties, making it a rare new yellow chrysanthemum-petal variety. The flower form of 'Rui He' inherits the typical lotus-petal flower characteristics of the female parent 'Da Fugui', and its flower color inherits the characteristics of the male parent 'Rui Mei'. Its flower color is green with yellow, its leaf color is variable, its leaf shape is graceful, its flower form is majestic, its flower quality is dignified, its flower color is rich and beautiful, and its floral fragrance is delicate and serene, making it a rare excellent lotus-petal variety of Cymbidium goeringii. These 2 new varieties were bred by the Jiangsu Lixiahe Region Agricultural Science Research Institute, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225007. They open up the Chinese cymbidium consumer market and create relatively good social and economic benefits.

(1) The cultivation site requires environmental conditions of "sufficient light, moisture, coolness, and ventilation". The cultivation location requires good ventilation conditions and shade facilities, preferably planting in a greenhouse, and potted plants should have orchid stands.

(2) Cymbidium goeringii is a terrestrial orchid type with well-developed fleshy roots, so the cultivation substrate must be breathable and permeable. In the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions, the most common substrates are Zhijinshi and Xiantu. The author believes that the best substrate for Cymbidium goeringii is small-grade pine bark : perlite = 8 : 2. Before use, the substrate must be disinfected.

(3) Most pots are made of clay pots and purple clay pots with good breathability. New pots need to be soaked in water for several days and allowed to cool before use. Cymbidium goeringii prefers coolness, avoids excessive moisture, and has well-developed roots, slender leaves, and sturdy flower stems. Generally, tall cylindrical pots are used for cultivation, and large, medium, or small pots should be selected according to the size of the orchid plant's root system. For large-scale domestication of small seedlings, seedling trays and the like can be selected according to seedling condition.

(4) When dividing orchids, the tools need to be disinfected and sterilized, and the orchid plants should be soaked in a broad-spectrum fungicide for sterilization. Potted plants are generally 3 to 5 shoots, with new buds facing outward and old pseudobulbs facing inward, which is beneficial for the growth of new buds. After planting, spray water to soak thoroughly and place in a semi-shaded area for recovery.

(5) Watering should be regular, with the amount of water based on the substrate being moist and thoroughly watered. In spring and autumn, water once every 3 to 4 d; in summer with high temperature and high humidity, water correspondingly less, generally once about every 7 d; in winter when the weather is cold, generally water once every 12 to 4 d. Watering in spring, summer, and autumn should be chosen in the morning, and watering in winter should be chosen at noon.

(6) Fertilization begins after entering the growth period in early spring, and fertilizer can be applied once every week. The fertilizer concentration should be dilute. The most suitable temperature for fertilization is 18 to 25°C; when it exceeds 30°C or is below 10°C, it is best not to fertilize. In midsummer, fertilization is generally stopped, and when the temperature falls back to 28°C in late summer, fertilization can continue until the end of autumn. Commonly used fertilizers include America's Huabao and Mofei, Japan's Zhiji and Zhishuo, and domestic Lanjunwang and Yilanjun, etc.

(7) For the control of common pests and diseases, prevention is primary. In winter, spray pesticide once a month; in spring and autumn, spray pesticide once every two weeks; in summer, spray pesticide once a week. The drugs are mainly broad-spectrum bacterial and fungal fungicides. If stem rot, bud rot, or viral disease occurs, special pesticides such as streptomycin should be used, and for insect pests, insecticides such as omethoate should be used.

Well, that is all for today about the cultivation techniques for these two new Cymbidium goeringii varieties. If you are still relatively interested, you can continue to follow this site, Huinong Network!

Common Methods for Orchid Pest and Disease Control

What the editor of Flower and Bonsai Wind wants to share with you today is an article about common methods for orchid pest and disease control. Let's take a look.

Plants in the orchid family (scientific name: Orchidaceae) are commonly known as orchids, also called hujihua. They are a family among flowering plants with worldwide distribution and diversity, and their flowers are often colorful and often fragrant; the common name is usually orchid family.

Orchids are herbaceous plants. Under artificial cultivation, their disease incidence is much higher than when growing naturally in forests. Under artificial cultivation, due to differences in temperature, humidity, light, and air, plus unclean ambient air, orchids are most prone to anthracnose, black spot, banded sclerotial blight, rust spot, and other common orchid leaf diseases.

Add item? Orchid This is a polysemous term. Please choose to browse among the following items (6 items in total):

One of China's top ten famous flowers; Chinese painting; a character appearing in the second part of "Mermaid Melody"; a 2006 film directed by American Bryce Dallas Howard; a 2010 book compiled by the Royal Horticultural Society; a poem by Zuo Heshui

Orchid - One of China's top ten famous flowers Free editing Modify item name

Category: Plants

Orchid (scientific name: Cymbidium ssp.): epiphytic or terrestrial herb, with several to many leaves, usually borne at the base of the pseudobulb or on lower nodes, distichous, ribbon-shaped or rarely oblanceolate to narrowly elliptic, generally with a broad sheath at the base that surrounds the pseudobulb, with articulations. Raceme with several to many flowers, colors include white, pure white, white-green, yellow-green, pale yellow, pale yellow-brown, yellow, red, blue-green, and purple.

The orchid among China's traditional famous flowers refers only to several terrestrial orchid species distributed among Chinese Cymbidium plants, such as Cymbidium goeringii, Cymbidium faberi, Cymbidium ensifolium, Cymbidium sinense, and Cymbidium kanran, namely what is usually called "Chinese orchid". This type of orchid is very different from tropical orchids with large and brilliantly colored flowers. It has no eye-catching flamboyance, no huge flowers or leaves, yet possesses a simple, quiet, elegant, and noble temperament, which fits well with Eastern aesthetic standards. In China, it has a cultivation history of more than one thousand years.

Chinese people have always regarded the orchid as a symbol of nobility and elegance, and it is listed alongside "plum, bamboo, and chrysanthemum", collectively called the "Four Gentlemen". "Lan zhang" is usually used as a metaphor for the beauty of poetry and prose, and "lan jiao" as a metaphor for true friendship. Orchids are also used to express pure love: "Her spirit is like an orchid, unchanged for long; her heart is like an orchid, never shifting." "Having found a secluded orchid to repay a confidant, I send but a single branch to dream of Xiaoxiang." In May 1985, the orchid was rated fourth among China's top ten famous flowers.

Basic Information

Chinese Name

Orchid

Alternative Names

Chinese orchid, Cymbidium goeringii, lancao, lanhua, secluded orchid, mountain orchid, national fragrance, empty-valley fairy, ancestor of fragrance

Phylum

Angiosperms

English Name

Orchid

Species

29 species

Kingdom

Plantae

Tribe

Epidendreae

Order

Microspermae

Family

Orchidaceae

Latin Scientific Name

Cymbidium ssp.

Class

Monocotyledoneae

Subfamily

Orchidoideae

Naming Authority and Year

Sw.,1799

Genus

Cymbidium

Subclass

Liliidae

Contents

1 Basic Introduction

2 Morphological Characteristics

3 Distribution Area

4 Value Introduction

5 Commercial Value

6 Hometown of Orchids

7 Cultivation-Related

8 History of Orchid Art

9 Other Related

Edit this section Basic Introduction

Plants in the orchid family (scientific name: Orchidaceae) are commonly known as orchids, also called hujihua. They are the largest and most diverse family among flowering plants, with more than 800 genera and 25,000 species (some sources list more than 30,000 species), plus another more than 100,000 hybrid species and varieties cultivated by horticulturists. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew's "World Checklist of Orchids" lists about 24,000 accepted species names, and about 800 new species are added each year. The number of orchid family species exceeds that of all vertebrates including the class Osteichthyes, accounting for about 1/4 of all species in the class Monocotyledoneae. Early classification systems (the Cronquist system) placed Orchidaceae and Burmanniaceae within Microspermae; in the APG classification published in 1998, it was placed in Asparagales, and in the improved APG II classification of 2003, which classifies based on genetic relationships, it was placed under Asparagales and considered closely related to Hypoxidaceae. Due to the extreme complexity of orchid flora, all floral characteristics fully demonstrate a high degree of adaptation to insect pollination, and orchids establish symbiotic relationships with fungi, and are considered the apex of plant evolution.

Orchid family plants are all perennial herbs. Their lifestyles include terrestrial (such as Dactylorhiza, Bletilla, Spiranthes, etc.), epiphytic (or lithophytic; most orchids have epiphytic habits), and the strangest saprophytic (such as Gastrodia, Galeola, Lecanorchis, and Cymbidium faberi's Cymbidium macrorhizon and Cymbidium multiradicatum, etc.), and a few are climbing vines (such as Vanilla), with fibrous roots, epiphytic ones with aerial roots; stems erect, pendulous, or climbing; leaves simple and alternate, with leaf sheaths; flowers have specialized labella due to pollination patterns with insects, and the floral structure is complex; pseudobulbs are organs unique to orchid family plants, mainly seen in epiphytic orchids. Some varieties have large and beautiful flowers with different colors and shapes, so they are often cultivated as ornamental flowers.

Edit this section Morphological Characteristics

Orchids are herbaceous plants that are easy to keep alive. Roots are fleshy and enlarged, without root hairs, and have symbiotic fungi [2]. They have pseudobulbs, commonly called lutou, wrapped outside by leaf sheaths, often connected with multiple pseudobulbs and existing in rows at the same time. Leaves are linear or sword-shaped, leathery, upright or drooping; flowers solitary or in racemes, with many bracts borne on the pedicel. Flowers are bisexual and fragrant. The corolla consists of 3 sepals, 3 petals, and the column. The middle sepal is called the main petal. The lower 2 are secondary petals, and the extension of the secondary petals is called hu. The upper 2 petals are upright, relatively thick and fleshy, with tips curled inward, commonly called pong. Bilateral symmetry, labellum, pollinia, and gynostemium are the basic characteristics of orchid family plants: the characteristic of pollen forming pollinia has some exceptions; except for Apostasioideae and Cypripedioideae, most other orchid family plants also have pollinia stalks. The ancients said, "One stem with one flower is lan," and one stem with many flowers is hui.

Cymbidium goeringii and Cymbidium faberi are divided according to differences and variations in the shape and texture of the main petal, secondary petals, pong, and lip into plum-petal, narcissus-petal, lotus-petal, butterfly-petal, rare types, and plain-heart types, etc. Plum-petal type has short and round sepals, relatively thick and fleshy, slightly curved inward, narrow at the base; the pong petals are fleshy and thick, with tips curved inward to form a hood; the lip is short and hard, slightly upward when the flower first opens. Famous varieties include Song Mei, Xishen Mei, etc. Narcissus-petal type has sepals slightly longer than plum-petal type, tips gradually pointed; pong petals are thick in texture, with tips also forming a hood; the lip is slightly pendulous or recurved. Famous varieties include Wang Zi, Cui Yipin, etc. Lotus-petal type has broad and large sepals, thick in texture, narrow at the base, broad and abruptly pointed at the tip; pong petals do not form a hood; the lip is relatively moist and slightly recurved. Famous varieties include Da Fugui, Cuigai Hua, etc. Butterfly-petal type has the inner side of the two downward sepals becoming thicker in texture, wavy and wrinkled, with red blotches; sometimes the number of sepals or petals suddenly increases (such as Lüyun, whose corolla often has about 8 parts), or the flower shape has special changes. Plain-heart type has the perianth, flower stem, and bracts of the same color, pure green, yellow-green, etc., without variegated markings; famous and precious varieties include Zhanghe Su, Laowentuan Su, etc.

Orchids prefer shade, fear direct sunlight, like moisture, avoid dryness, and like fertile environments rich in humus and with good air circulation [2]. Climate and environment in different places can all affect orchid growth, so the choice of planting materials differs. For example, in southern Fujian, the weather in all four seasons is relatively warm and not too cold, orchids grow quickly, and small pebbles are suitable for planting. First, it saves resources. Second, pebbles facilitate ventilation and do not retain water.

Edit this section Distribution Area

Because most varieties of terrestrial orchids originate in China, orchids are also called Chinese orchids and are ranked first among China's top ten famous flowers. Chinese orchids are mainly Cymbidium goeringii,

Cymbidium faberi, Cymbidium ensifolium, Cymbidium kanran, Cymbidium sinense, Chun Jian, and Lianban Lan, seven major categories, with thousands of horticultural varieties.

Cymbidium goeringii is also called caolan and shanlan. Cymbidium goeringii is widely distributed and rich in resources. The flowering period is from February to March of the year and can last about 1 month. The flowers have a rich and pure fragrance. Famous and precious varieties include lotus, plum, narcissus, butterfly, and other petal types in various colors. In terms of petal type, the famous varieties from Jiangsu and Zhejiang are the most typical.

Sample Cymbidium faberi Da Yipin

Sample Cymbidium faberi Da Yipin

Cymbidium faberi roots are thick and long; leaves are narrow and strap-shaped, relatively rough and hard in texture, grayish green, with obvious serrations on the leaf margins and prominent midribs. The flowering period is from March to May. The flowers have a strong fragrance that spreads far and lasts long. Flower colors include yellow, white, green, light red, and compound colors, mostly colorful flowers, and there are also plain flowers and butterfly flowers.

Cymbidium ensifolium is also called four-season orchid, including summer-blooming xialan, qiulan, etc. Four-season orchids are robust and upright, with green leaves and abundant flowers, strong fragrance and beautiful flowers, fearing neither heat nor cold, with strong vitality and easy cultivation. Different varieties have different flowering periods, and flowers can be seen from May to December.

Cymbidium sinense, also called baosui lan, baisui lan, fengsui lan, etc., is native to China's Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Yunnan, Taiwan, China, Hainan, etc. Orchid growers in various parts of southern China, especially Guangdong and Yunnan, most enjoy cultivating and viewing it.

Chun Jian is often called authentic Sichuan orchid. Although Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan all have famous varieties, the famous Sichuan orchid varieties are the most precious. Flower colors include red, yellow, white, green, purple, black, and compound colors, brilliantly eye-catching, with graceful appearance, elegant charm, strong and pure fragrance, and it is often the first choice praised by orchid growers. Cymbidium kanran

Cymbidium kanran is distributed in Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, and the southwestern regions of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan. The leaves of Cymbidium kanran are more slender than those of four-season orchid, especially narrower at the leaf base. The leaf posture is elegant and unrestrained, green and delicate, with large-, medium-, and fine-leaf varieties and edged varieties. Flower colors are rich, including yellow, green, purple-red, deep purple, etc., generally with variegated veins and spots, and there are also clean and flawless plain flowers. The sepals and pong petals are relatively narrow and slender, with a distinctive style, delicate and lovely, and an assailing fragrance.

Lianban Lan is a terrestrial orchid mainly produced in the northwestern Yunnan region of Yunnan Province, blooming every year during New Year's Day and Spring Festival. The petals of this orchid are elliptical-strip-shaped, closely resembling the petals of blooming lotus root; people used one flower as a metaphor for another, and named it "Lianban Lan."

Edit this section Value Introduction

Medicinal

According to records, orchids have the reputation of "queen among flowers." The roots, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds of orchids all have certain medicinal value [1]. The roots can treat pulmonary tuberculosis, lung abscess, and sprains, and can also set bones; a decoction of Cymbidium ensifolium roots taken orally is said to be a sovereign medicine for inducing labor. The leaves treat whooping cough, the fruit can stop vomiting, and the seeds treat eye opacity. The whole plant of Cymbidium faberi can treat women's diseases, and the whole plant of Cymbidium goeringii treats neurasthenia, ascariasis, hemorrhoids, and other diseases. Cymbidium ensifolium leaves can treat lung qi deficiency in weak people (also written as liver qi). Orchid flower stems can treat malignant ringworm. The petals of plain-heart orchid can induce labor. The plain-heart petals of Cymbidium faberi, dried in the shade, can also induce labor.

In rural areas of some parts of Sichuan, orchids are called "labor-inducing flowers." It is said that if a woman encounters difficult labor, quickly bring a pot of "labor-inducing flower" into the delivery room, and when the pregnant woman smells the orchid fragrance, she will give birth smoothly. Whether this has a scientific basis still awaits verification by obstetrics and gynecology experts.

China's traditional orchids are precious flowers with graceful posture and rich fragrance (the fragrance of kings). But physicians through the ages have summarized very little about their medicinal value. The whole orchid plant can be used as medicine. Its nature is neutral, its taste is pungent and sweet, and it is non-toxic. It has effects such as nourishing yin and moistening the lungs, promoting diuresis and draining dampness, and clearing heat and detoxifying. It can be applied to various clinical internal and gynecological symptoms. The summary is as follows:

1. Nourish yin fluids, promote fluid production and moisten dryness, and treat the sequelae of dry mouth and excessive thirst caused by radiotherapy for malignant tumors.

[Ming Dynasty] Li Shizhen, "Compendium of Materia Medica": "Lancao, odor pungent, neutral, sweet, non-toxic." "Its qi is clear and fragrant, promotes fluid production and quenches thirst, moistens muscles, and treats consumptive thirst and gallbladder jaundice." "...To treat consumptive thirst and promote fluid production as a drink, use orchid leaves; this likely originates here." Modern medical science uses radium (cobalt-60) for radiotherapy after surgery for some malignant tumors or cancers and has achieved certain curative effects, but it causes a certain degree of damage to tissues and organs near the tumor and affects their function. For example, radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, malignant tumors of the salivary glands (mucoepidermoid carcinoma), and upper and middle esophageal cancer damages various glands in the oral cavity, especially the three major salivary glands, the parotid gland, submandibular gland, and sublingual gland, as well as mucosal gland cells of the upper digestive tract, causing a large decrease in glandular secretion and resulting in symptoms of upper consumptive thirst such as dry and burning throat, dry tongue and scorched lips, and thirst with desire to drink. Using orchids can treat this condition caused by radiotherapy for malignant tumors, with very good curative effects.

According to clinical experience, radiotherapy patients with malignant tumors in different locations and organs have better results when combined with some Chinese herbal medicines. For example, radiotherapy patients with laryngeal cancer should be used together with Shandougen, Baimaogen, and Pugongying; radiotherapy patients with esophageal cancer should be used together with Banzhilian, Baihuasheshecao, Xiakucao, and Lingxian, etc.

2. Clear heat and cool blood, nourish yin and moisten the lungs, and treat dry cough and chronic cough, and pulmonary hemoptysis.

Modern traditional Chinese medicine research shows that the whole plant of Cymbidium ensifolium has the effects of clearing heat and cooling blood, nourishing yin and moistening the lungs, and is commonly used clinically for pulmonary tuberculosis hemoptysis and for regulating chronic dry cough that does not stop.

For patients with mild to moderate hemoptysis from pulmonary tuberculosis, use 50 to 100 g of fresh Cymbidium ensifolium roots, mash and squeeze the juice or decoct in water and take orally, 2 times a day, with obvious effects in 4 to 6 days.

To treat patients with dry cough that does not stop, use 30 to 50 orchid stamens, decoct in water, add rock sugar, 2 times a day, and take for 3 to 5 days with remarkable effects. This conforms to the statement in the "Compendium of Materia Medica" that "Lancao mainly treats blood production, regulates qi, nourishes the nutritive qi, and removes phlegm accumulation in the chest."

3. Regulate qi and harmonize blood, promote dampness and reduce swelling, and treat urinary tract infections and leukorrhea in women.

According to the "Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica," it is recorded: "The yellow orchid is called milan; it can stop diarrhea and leukorrhea, promote the water passage, kill gu poison, reduce carbuncles and swelling, regulate menstruation; taken for a long time it benefits qi, lightens the body, prevents aging, and communicates with the spirits." Modern traditional Chinese medicine believes that orchid roots have effects such as regulating qi and harmonizing blood, promoting dampness, and reducing swelling. They treat urinary tract infections and excessive leukorrhea in women.

Use 50 g of orchid roots, 30 g of Maogen, and 30 g of winter melon peel, decoct in water and take orally, continuously for 6 to 10 days, to treat urinary tract infections.

For excessive leukorrhea in women, use 50 g of orchid roots, 30 g of Tianmendong, 30 g of lily, and 1 free-range farm chicken, stew together, take the soup and eat the meat, once every 2 to 3 days, continuously 2 to 3 times.

4. Soothe the liver and relieve depression, harmonize qi and blood, and treat dizziness and blurred vision, and neurasthenia.

Modern pharmacological research shows that the aromatic component of orchids, aromatic oil, makes people feel relaxed and happy, clears stale qi, relieves depression and dispels boredom, and refreshes the mind.

To treat dizziness and blurred vision (Meniere's syndrome), results are achieved. Prescription: 30 g of orchid stamens, 15 g of chrysanthemum, 15 g of Ophiopogon, and 20 g of Agrimonia pilosa, decoct in water, 1 dose a day. Take continuously for 4 to 6 days. This is based on the records in the "Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica" that "plain-heart Cymbidium ensifolium removes stale qi and relieves depression." "Honey-pickled green orchid flowers steeped as tea harmonize qi and blood, soothe the middle, and sober one from wine."

Use 50 g of orchid roots, 20 g of canna rhizome, and 20 g of Cynanchum paniculatum, decoct in water, 1 dose a day, continuously for 10 to 15 days, to treat neurasthenia.

5. Other Medicinal Uses

According to the record that "orchid leaves receive the qi of metal and water yet seem to have fire; people know the preciousness of their floral fragrance but do not know that their leaves have medicinal prescriptions; their leaves can strongly disperse long-accumulated stale and depressed qi, namely what is now placed on the right," to treat constipation, stagnation and accumulation in the large and small intestines, thick and greasy tongue coating, dry throat and lung dryness, and difficult-to-bear halitosis, use 20 to 30 autumn orchid flowers and 50 g of orchid leaves, decoct in water, and when slightly warm, add 30 g of honey and take, continuously 2 to 3 times. This conforms to the theory that the lungs and large intestine are interior-exterior paired.

Use 50 to 100 g of fresh orchid roots, wash clean, mash and apply to the affected area, to treat traumatic injuries, subcutaneous bleeding, and muscle tumors.

Edible

(1) Floral fragrance can scent tea

The fragrance of orchids is clear and mellow, and when used to scent tea, the quality is highest. In orchid-producing areas or large-scale orchid nurseries, orchid tea has development prospects.

According to records: "Flowers can enhance tea; paste can replace drink." In Fujian Province, villagers pickle Cymbidium ensifolium flowers in honey and then drink it. There is also the record: "Use salted plum dried to extract juice called plum oil, soak fresh flowers with it to make fragrance." In Japan's ancient capital, to the east of Kyoto, there is an old small shop that for decades has sold the ancestral "orchid tea." This is made by picking Cymbidium goeringii flowers produced on the mountains north of Kyoto, drying them semi-dry by a special method, then salting them and packing them in small clay bottles. When using, take two flowers and put them in a teacup, pour boiling water over them, and they can be drunk. After soaking in water, the orchid flowers recover their original shape, being both beautiful and having a special fragrance, with extraordinary flavor when drunk. The flowers can also be eaten at the same time.

(2) Flowers can be eaten

Flowers can be made into soup. According to records, flowers can be added to soup; when about to add them to soup, first blanch them with hot water, and the flower color will be fresh and the soup taste delicious. Orchids can be used as dishes; they are a famous Sichuan dish at banquets, with a delicate fragrance filling the air and lingering throughout the banquet, unforgettable for a lifetime after eating. Famous dishes in Sichuan cuisine include "orchid shredded tripe," "orchid shredded pork," etc., and "orchid buns" also have endless flavor.

Edit this section Commercial Value

A Singaporean merchant produced a very unique souvenir by soaking hujihua in 18K or 22K gold liquid; after solidifying, they are made into brooches, small clips, earrings, plates, and other accessories. Because hujihua is a naturally grown raw material, no two flowers can be exactly the same, so each gold-plated hujihua jewelry is also different. In addition, hujihua is also placed in a special wax to make small alarm clocks, pen holders, and various other souvenirs. Singapore is a multiracial country, so souvenirs are also diverse. Walking into Chinatown, with Chinese music drifting, all kinds of small souvenirs with Chinese characteristics can be seen everywhere. Entering "Little India," people find its "Indian flavor" very strong, with saris, spices, garlands, peacock feathers, etc. visible everywhere. "Holland Village" sells Western souvenirs, such as Dutch clogs, etc.

In addition to tourist souvenirs for viewing and wearing, Singapore now also turns some high-quality foods into tourist souvenirs for tourists to choose from. Specialties such as Singapore's pork jerky and rock sugar bird's nest are deeply loved by tourists.

Edit this section Hometown of Orchids

Luotian, Hubei

On the morning of April 2, 2013, the awarding ceremony was held in Luotian County, Huanggang City, Hubei Province. This awarding ceremony was hosted by the China Wild Plant Conservation Association and undertaken by the Hubei Province Wild Animal and Plant Conservation Association, the CPC Luotian County Committee, and the Luotian County People's Government.

Luotian has a mild climate, abundant rainfall, many mountains and dense forests, and a forest coverage rate of 68.8%, providing good ecological conditions for orchid growth and promoting the coexistence of multiple orchid family plant communities. High-altitude forest areas are rich in Goodyera schlechtendaliana, Cypripedium japonicum, and Cleisostoma scolopendrifolium; middle- and low-altitude mountain forests are rich in Cymbidium ensifolium, Cymbidium kanran, Cymbidium faberi, etc. A total of 18 genera and 25 species of orchid family plants have been found within the territory, with a growth area of 1.32 million mu. [5]

Edit this section Cultivation-Related

Chinese Orchid

Shaoxing Orchid

Shaoxing is one of the earliest places in China where orchids were planted and has long been called the "hometown of orchids." The Southern Song Dynasty Baoqing "Kuaiji Xu Zhi" records: "Lan, the Yuejue Shu says: Goujian planted orchids at Lanzhu Mountain. The old classic says: Lanzhu Mountain is the place where Goujian planted orchids." Lanzhu Mountain is in present-day Lizhu Lanting and is still famous at home and abroad for its abundant Cymbidium goeringii. Shaoxing orchids have many varieties, and their flower shape, color, and fragrance are all unique. With one branch in a room, a clear fragrance fills the air and refreshes the heart. The Ming Dynasty painter and calligrapher Xu Wei wrote in a poem "Lan": "Do not be surprised that spring light does not belong to you; one fragrance is already enough to surpass a thousand reds. Even if the fragrance is picked for Han Niang's sleeve, it does not make the scent of musk in the world." Traditional famous orchid varieties such as "Song Mei," "Lou Mei," "Huanqiu Heding," and "Zan Die" all come from Shaoxing. Shaoxing's rare variety "Lüyun" is a national-level protected rare resource. In 1959, a rare-petal famous Shaoxing orchid was named "Zhongshan Hudie He" by Beijing Zhongshan Park. In 1982, the Standing Committee of the Shaoxing Municipal People's Congress designated the orchid as the city flower of Shaoxing and established the first orchid association in the country, namely the Shaoxing Orchid Association.

Major orchid-producing county

Yifeng County in Jiangxi is a major orchid-producing county, with extremely rich orchid resources within its borders. Cymbidium goeringii, Cymbidium faberi, Cymbidium ensifolium, and Cymbidium kanran are all distributed here, with Cymbidium kanran being the most outstanding and renowned nationwide. In recent years, orchid cultivation in the county's Tanshan and Tianbao areas has developed rapidly, with a number of large orchid growers such as Heping Orchid Garden and Baiyi Orchid Garden emerging, and the orchid industry has begun to take shape. In order to guide and support the orchid industry to become bigger and stronger and to form scale, the county's orchid association carefully organized orchid enthusiasts to participate in the Second China Cymbidium kanran (Chongqing) Expo. At this exhibition, the county won a total of 3 awards: Shenmao, submitted by the county's large orchid grower Yang Heping, won a Special Gold Award; a down-mountain Cymbidium goeringii variegated-leaf variety won a Silver Award; and a side-petal butterfly variety won a Bronze Award.

Distribution and Collection

In China, apart from North China, Northeast China, and Ningxia, Qinghai, and **[omitted]** in Northwest China, every province and region has different species of Cymbidium plants. Generally speaking, terrestrial orchids mostly grow in temperate and subtropical regions, such as Jiangsu and Anhui; epiphytic orchids mostly grow in tropical and subtropical regions, such as Guangdong, Fujian, and Taiwan, China.

Collecting wild orchids in the mountains is of great significance for discovering new varieties and selecting excellent hybridization parents. During collection, consideration should be given to choosing the flowering period, improving the survival rate, the local climate, and the local orchid soil's moisture level. Growth environments vary from place to place, and at the same time attention should be paid to safety, fire prevention, not straying into restricted areas, and keeping good records of collection and excavation.

In the process of orchid cultivation and business operations, due to the frenzied speculation by orchid merchants on some novel orchid varieties, orchid prices were once driven abnormally high, with "sky-high orchids" appearing repeatedly. Driven by enormous economic interests, large-scale destructive collection of wild orchid resources occurred, and many wild orchid habitats were severely damaged. For this reason, the state adopted protective measures such as establishing no-collection reserves, setting protection levels for varieties, improving legislation on wild resources, and strictly punishing illegal collectors.

From the perspective of long-term, effective utilization of orchid resources and respect for and advocacy of environmental protection, orchid enthusiasts should establish a scientific, reasonable, environmentally friendly, and law-abiding awareness of orchid collection.

City flower of Guiyang, city flower of Shaoxing, and provincial flower of Zhejiang.

Chinese Cymbidium faberi

Orchids are world-famous flowers. In the national orchid family there are more than 15,000 varieties. The Asian Chinese orchid is Cymbidium faberi. In Oceania and Africa, many are **[omitted]**

orchids, Singapore's Vanda, Finland's lily of the valley, Yugoslavia's lily of the valley, Seychelles' Yucca, Zimbabwe's Gloriosa, and South American countries' designated national orchids: Brazil's Cattleya, Costa Rica's Cattleya. Ecuador and Guatemala both have Cattleya, Colombia's Cattleya, and Ecuador's white orchid.

Chinese Cymbidium faberi usually refers to a portion of terrestrial species in the genus Cymbidium. The pseudobulbs are relatively small, the leaves are linear, and the roots are fleshy; the flower stem is upright, with 1 to more than 10 flowers, the flowers are small and fragrant, usually light green with purple-red spots. Different species vary greatly in leaf and flower morphology and flowering period. It is produced south of the Qinling Mountains and in the southwestern region. Its cultivation history is long, at least more than a thousand years, and it is one of China's ten traditional famous flowers. Since ancient times, people have regarded orchids as a symbol of nobility, elegance, patriotism, and unyielding integrity. This has formed an orchid culture with strong Chinese national characteristics. Propagated by division, sowing, or tissue culture. Pot cultivation with humus soil requires good aeration and drainage; it likes semi-shade and a moist environment. The overwintering temperature for Cymbidium sinense, Cymbidium ensifolium, and Cymbidium kanran is about 10°C, and for the other species about 5°C.

What is called Chinese orchid today was called "hui" in ancient times. Just as Huang Tingjian (1045-1105) of the Northern Song Dynasty described orchids in "Youfang Pavilion": "One stem with one flower and surplus fragrance is lan; one stem with five or seven flowers and insufficient fragrance is hui."

Ornamental Appreciation and Cultivation

We Chinese people appreciated and cultivated orchids much earlier than the Western cultivation of exotic orchids. As early as the Spring and Autumn period, 2,400 years ago, China's cultural sage Confucius once said: "Angelica and orchids grow in secluded valleys, and do not cease to be fragrant because no one is there; a gentleman cultivates the Way and establishes virtue, and does not change his integrity because of poverty."

Lan, is a fragrant herb. -- "Shuowen"

Heng lan zhi ruo. -- "Book of Han, Biography of Sima Xiangru"

The root of lan huai is called zhi. -- "Xunzi, Encouraging Learning"

The root of the Chinese orchid is white angelica, and white angelica symbolizes the common people. Hui and zhi have been the essence of the traditional virtues of benevolence, righteousness, and civil governance since ancient times. The great Tang poet Li Bai wrote, "The secluded orchid's fragrant wind travels far; the hui grass spreads its fragrant roots." The roots of Cymbidium faberi lie with the people.

History of Chinese Orchid Art

Chinese Orchid

Confucius, "The School Sayings of Confucius, In Adversity": Angelica and orchids grow in deep forests, and do not cease to be fragrant because no one is there; a gentleman cultivates the Way and establishes virtue, and does not change his integrity because of poverty. The Song Dynasty was the heyday of China's orchid cultivation history, with numerous books and descriptions related to orchid art. For example, Luo Yuan of the Song Dynasty wrote in "Erya Yi": "The leaves of the orchid are like those of the sedge, and it sprouts in early spring. Its flowers are very fragrant, and it generally grows in forests. When a gentle breeze passes, its fragrance drifts abundantly outward, hence it is called zhi lan. Orchids in Jiangnan bloom only in spring, while those in Jingchu and Minzhong bloom again in autumn and summer." The "Jinzhang Lanpu," written by Zhao Shigeng of the Southern Song Dynasty in 1233, can be said to be the earliest surviving work in our country devoted to the study of orchids, and also the world's first monograph on orchids. The book is divided into three volumes and five parts, briefly describing the morphological characteristics of more than 30 varieties of purple orchids (mainly Cymbidium sinense) and white orchids (that is, plain-hearted Cymbidium ensifolium), and also discussing the grade of orchids. Following "Jinzhang Lanpu," Wang Guixue wrote the book "Wang's Lanpu" in 1247, which gave detailed descriptions of more than 30 orchid varieties. In addition, the Song Dynasty also had the book "Lanpu Aofa," which mainly described cultivation methods and was divided into seven parts: the method of division, the method of planting flowers, the method of placement and watering, the method of watering, the method of fertilizing soil for flowers, the method of removing ants and lice, and miscellaneous methods. As for the book "Zhongyi Biyong" by Wu Zan, it also introduced orchid cultivation. In 1256, "Quanfang Beizu" by Chen Jingyi gave a relatively detailed account of orchids. The complete printed edition of this book was collected in the Japanese Imperial Palace Library, and in 1979 Japan returned a photocopy to our country. In the Song Dynasty, works entering Chinese painting with orchids as the theme included "Spring Orchid Painting" by Zhao Mengjian, which has been considered the earliest surviving famous orchid painting and is now treasured in the Palace Museum in Beijing.

In the Ming and Qing dynasties, orchid art entered another prosperous period. With the continuous increase in orchid varieties and the growing richness of cultivation experience, orchid cultivation became an object of public appreciation. At this time, there were relatively many books, painting albums, poetic lines, and orchid patterns printed on porcelain and certain handicrafts describing orchids, such as Zhang Yingmin's "Luoli Zhai Lanpu" of the Ming Dynasty and the records concerning orchids in Gao Lian's "Zunsheng Bajian." Li Shizhen, the Ming Dynasty pharmacologist, also gave relatively complete discussions of orchid naming, categories, and uses in his book "Compendium of Materia Medica." The Qing Dynasty also produced many monographs on orchid cultivation, such as the 1805 "Lanhui Tongxin Lu," written by a man surnamed Xu from Jiaxing, Zhejiang. He was addicted to orchids and also good at painting them, with rich experience in orchid cultivation. The book is divided into two volumes; Volume One discusses knowledge of orchid cultivation, and Volume Two describes methods for identifying and classifying orchid varieties. The whole book records 57 varieties and includes line drawings made by him. Others, such as Yuan Shijun's "Lanyan Shulue," Du Wenlan's "Yilan Sishuo," Mao Xiang's "Lanyan," Zhu Kerou's "Diyi Xiang Bij," Tu Yongning's "Lanhui Jing," Zhang Guangzhao's "Xinglan Pulue," Yue Liang's "Yanglan Shuo," Wang Hao's "Guang Qunfang Pu," Wu Qijun's "Zhiwu Mingshi Tukao," and Ou Jince's late Qing "Linghai Lanyan," still have certain reference value today.

Orchid Art

In modern times, orchid art developed further, with the publication in 1923 of "Lanhui Xiaoshi," written by Wu Enyuan, a native of Hang County, Zhejiang. Using "Lanhui Tongxin Lu" as a model, he gave a relatively comprehensive introduction in three volumes to orchid varieties and cultivation methods at the time. The whole book records 161 famous Zhejiang lan and hui varieties and is accompanied by many photographs and illustrations, with abundant pictures and text, making it fascinating. In addition, "Zhonglan Fa" by Xia Zhibin in 1930; the book "Orchids" co-edited by Yao Yumiu and Zhu Youren of Hangzhou in 1950; "Sichuan's Lan and Hui" compiled by the Chengdu Parks Bureau in 1963; "Xiamen Lanpu" compiled by Yan Chujiang of Fujian in 1964; the two books "Orchids" by Wu Yingyang in 1980 and "Chinese Orchids" in 1991; as well as books and magazines introducing Chinese orchids published in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan, China, and so on, can be said to be a major achievement in modern Chinese orchid art research.

Orchid art originated in China and spread abroad to Japan and Korea. Today Japan has a very strong interest in Chinese orchids, and its historical origin also began from China. Today Japan's orchid cultivation has formed its own system and developed into a base known as "Oriental orchids." As for Korea, orchid art has inevitably become something admired by the Korean people, and orchids have become an elegant flower for today's Korean people, displayed in bedrooms, residences, and halls. Even more praiseworthy is that they present orchids as a high-grade gift.

Humans are the most intelligent of all beings, and orchids are the finest of the hundred flowers. May lan and hui naturally enter people's spiritual world, and may we together carry forward orchid art, this traditional national essence of the Chinese nation, making friends through orchids and progressing together.

Ancient Orchid Cultivation Rhymes

The "Twelve-Month Rhyme" is spoken according to the lunar calendar and is recorded as follows:

In the first month, place them in the east, facing the sunlight opposite the bright side; do not worry about morning and evening sun exposure, but keep the leaves from changing from their usual color.

In the second month, cultivation is truly difficult; beware of leaves developing partridge spots; insert bamboo around them to prevent wind breakage; cherish the leaves as you would cherish a jade bracelet.

In the third month, new shoots emerge from the old clumps; remember the flowerpot must avoid the west wind; guard against lice breeding in damp places; at the roots, strong manure is still disliked.

In the fourth month, the courtyard sun suddenly grows hot, and the soil in the pot dries immediately; do not water with fresh well water; occasionally pour greasy water, whose taste is sweetest.

In the fifth month, new fragrance fills the old stand; deep in the green shade is the most peaceful; at this time the leaves recede according to their nature; after pruning, they appear even more numerous.

In the sixth month, the blazing sun adds summer heat; the fragrant branches and leaves are just producing flowers; a cool pavilion or waterside chamber can shelter them, or a frame may be made in front of the eaves for shade.

In the seventh month, although the heat has somewhat subsided, it is only suitable to water once every three days; earthworms damaging the roots are most detested; use bitter soap boiled into liquid mixed with urine.

In the eighth month, the weather feels slightly cool; let wind and sun do as they will; the dirty water accumulated over the year must now be changed, using water soaked with chicken feathers.

In the ninth month, there is light frost in the season; be careful where they are placed in front of the steps and under the eaves; if ants or insects appear, guard against yellow swelling; sprinkle oil tea on the leaves so they will not be harmed.

In the tenth month, as warm spring air returns, next year's flower shoots are already formed; not exposing the secluded roots is truly a wondrous method; when the pot is full, it is especially necessary to repot promptly.

In the eleventh month, the weather should face the sun, and at night they must be carefully stored. Keep the soil surface slightly moist at all times; when dry, the leaves turn yellow.

In the twelfth month, wind is cold and snow flies again; strictly store them in a warm place to protect the young branches; wait until the ice thaws and spring takes charge, then move them in front of the courtyard to face the sunlight.

Propagation Methods

Orchids are commonly propagated by division, sowing, and tissue culture.

Division propagation: This can be done in both spring and autumn, generally once every three years. Plants that grow robustly and have densely clustered pseudobulbs can all be divided. After division, each clump should retain at least 5 connected pseudobulbs. Before division, reduce watering so the potting soil is relatively dry. When potting after division, first cover the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot with a piece of broken tile, then spread coarse gravel to occupy 1/5 to 1/4 of the pot depth, then add coarse-grained soil and a small amount of fine soil, and finally plant in sandy loam rich in humus. The planting depth should be such that the pseudobulbs are just barely buried in the soil, leaving a 2 cm rim at the edge of the pot, with Selaginella uncinata or fine gravel spread on top, and finally water thoroughly, place in a shaded place for 10 to 15 days, keep the soil moist, gradually reduce watering, and carry out normal maintenance.

Seed propagation: Orchid seeds are extremely fine, and the seed contains only an incompletely developed embryo, with very low germination capacity. In addition, the seed coat does not easily absorb water, so sowing by conventional methods will not germinate. Therefore, orchid mycorrhiza or an artificial culture medium is needed to supply nutrients before germination can occur. For sowing, it is best to select fruit that has not yet split. After sterilizing the surface with 75% alcohol, take out the seeds, soak them in 10% sodium hypochlorite for 5 to 10 minutes, take them out and rinse them 3 times with sterile water, then sow them in culture bottles containing medium, and place them in a dark culture room, maintaining the temperature at about 25°C. After they begin to sprout, move them into the light and they can form protocorms. From sowing to transplanting takes half a year to one year. Tissue culture has already been successful, and where conditions permit, this method can be used for propagation.

Propagation Techniques

Site selection: The surroundings should be open, with good ventilation, close to water, with moist air and no coal smoke pollution. On the southwest side of the site, evergreen broad-leaved trees can be planted, with a canopy density of about 0.7, which can reduce afternoon sunlight exposure and regulate humidity and temperature.

Watering: Rainwater or spring water is preferable; water containing salt or alkali should not be used. If tap water is used, it should be left standing for several days before use. Watering should depend on the temperature. In spring, the amount of watering should be small; in summer, it should be greater. The plum rain season coincides with orchids sending out leaf buds, so the potting soil should be slightly dry; after autumn when the weather turns cool, watering should be reduced appropriately, keeping it merely moist. In winter indoors it should be dry, reducing the frequency of watering, and it is best to water at noon. Orchids can be exposed to light rain, but continuous rain or heavy rain can easily cause heart rot and leaf rot, so attention must be paid to rain protection.

Fertilization: For planting orchids, cake fertilizer is suitable. Mix 4 parts plant ash, 10 parts bean cake, and 10 parts bone meal evenly, place in a vat, add water several times until the bean cake is soaked and swollen, then cover and seal, let it decompose for one year, and then make it into dry granules. When using, place it on the surface of the pot. If whole manure is used, it should also be decomposed for one year, diluted with water, and used after filtering out the residue. Generally, fertilization begins in May and stops at the Beginning of Autumn, with the principle of applying thin fertilizer frequently. Fertilization should be carried out in the evening, and the next morning water once with clear water.

Shading and cold protection: Except in early spring and winter, they should all be placed under open-air sheds. The shade shed requires good ventilation. When orchids first come out of the room between March and April, they can receive more sunlight, and afterward the shading time should gradually increase. In winter, orchids must be moved indoors for cold protection, and the room temperature only needs to be kept at 1 to 2°C. In addition, after orchids come out in spring and before they enter the room in autumn, attention must also be paid to frost protection.

Planting Methods

The divided orchid clumps should not be separated too sparsely; each clump should have at least 3 to 5 shoots, and it is best to keep one-year-old plants, two-year-old plants, and three-year-old plants in the same clump.

Pot Padding

Cover the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot with a piece of tile, then gradually fill with bricks, tiles, or shells, filling the large gaps with mud granules or bean-sized stones, generally about 1/2 to 1/3 of the height inside the pot. The remaining clear height is about 10 to 15 cm, reserved for the growing medium layer. The specific height should be determined according to the orchid species, the length of the orchid roots, and the height of the pot. The padding should not be filled too densely or too solidly; a little porosity should be retained. Practice has proved that some new roots can grow well in the gaps of the padding layer.

Planting

On the padding layer, first fill in 2 to 3 cm of growing medium, press it lightly with the hand, then place the orchid upright on it. According to the size of the plant and the pot, several single plants, 2 clumps, 3 clumps, or more clumps can be planted in one pot. Three clumps are best arranged in a tripod formation. Four clumps can be planted in a square. Five clumps are best arranged in a plum-blossom shape. The orchid roots should spread out naturally, and the leaves should drape in all directions. Slowly place the orchid roots into the pot so that the roots spread naturally and, as far as possible, do not scrape against the inner wall of the pot. After the orchid plant is in the pot, gradually fix its posture. When one clump is planted in one pot, the old pseudobulbs should be positioned to one side so that new shoots have room to develop. When several clumps are planted in one pot, the old pseudobulbs of each clump should be gathered relatively toward the middle of the pot so that new roots and new shoots have enough space to develop outward.

Filling Soil

When planting, hold the leaves with one hand and add nutrient soil with the other, holding the base of the orchid plant and lifting it slightly upward to spread the root system, while shaking the orchid pot. Let the growing medium go deep into the root zone; continue adding soil and shaking the orchid pot to adjust the position and height of the orchid plant. Press with the hand along the edge of the pot, but never too hard or the roots will be injured. Continue adding soil and pressing until the soil surface is 2 to 3 cm above the rim of the pot, forming a slight mound shape. The growing medium should cover all the orchid roots, burying them up to the base of the pseudobulbs. As for the depth of soil filling, tradition holds that Cymbidium goeringii should be planted shallowly and Cymbidium faberi deeply, but generally the leaf base on the pseudobulb should not be buried. When newly collected orchids grow in the wild, the plants leave clear markers above and below the soil surface, and these markers can be used as the standard. The size of the flowerpot should also match the size and number of the plants; do not use a large pot for small and few plants, nor a small pot for large and many plants. Generally, the number of plants should be such that after an expected 2 to 3 years they just fill the pot. The size of the plants should match the height of the pot. This is both beneficial to growth and meets ornamental requirements.

Topdressing Surface

After planting is completed, a layer of small stone granules or green moss can be spread on the surface of the potting soil, preferably high-quality moss from under the forest. This is both attractive and can regulate moisture, and can also protect the leaf surface from being polluted by muddy water, while new shoots will not be infected by pathogens in the soil and rot at the heart; in addition, it can slow the erosion of the potting soil by rainwater and keep the potting soil loose.

Watering

After planting is completed, water the first time immediately. The potting soil must be thoroughly moistened, and the water droplets should be fine, with the impact force not too strong. If placed in a water basin to soak, never soak for too long. As soon as the potting soil is soaked, immediately take the orchid pot out, then move it to a shaded place for maintenance.

Test-Tube Cultivation

With the continuous development of orchid tissue culture techniques and sterile sowing techniques, the phenomenon of orchids flowering in test tubes is receiving increasing attention. The main reason this phenomenon attracts the attention of breeders is that artificially hybridized new varieties that originally required many years of conventional cultivation to flower can now, in test tubes, be artificially induced to flower through 1 to 2 culture cycles. In this way, according to the flowering situation, individuals with excellent traits can be selected purposefully and relatively poor individuals eliminated, thereby shortening the entire breeding cycle and greatly reducing the workload of cultivating large numbers of varieties that have not yet flowered, making breeding work more targeted.

Because we have long been engaged in the development and research of several conventionally cultivated terrestrial orchid species in the genus Cymbidium, the orchids mentioned below all refer to these orchid species, including Cymbidium goeringii, Cymbidium ensifolium, Cymbidium goeringii var. longibracteatum, Cymbidium tortisepalum, Cymbidium faberi, Cymbidium kanran, and so on.

According to current observations, the ways orchids flower in test tubes can roughly be divided into three types. The first type is when the axillary buds of the orchid seedling develop into flower buds. This way is the same as the flowering method of orchids in conventional cultivation, except that in conventional cultivation it is a clump of seedlings that produces flowers, while in test tubes it is a single seedling that produces flowers. This situation is relatively common in Cymbidium ensifolium and relatively rare in varieties such as Cymbidium goeringii and Cymbidium goeringii var. longibracteatum. The second type is when the terminal bud of the orchid seedling develops into a flower bud, similar to what is usually called "arrow in the grass" (heart-of-grass arrow), with the flower growing from the very center of the orchid seedling. This situation appears in all orchid species, especially commonly in Cymbidium goeringii. The third type is when flower buds differentiate directly from the tip of the protocorm. This type is entirely controlled by the hormone levels in the medium, flowers quickly and uniformly, and has a high differentiation frequency, and is currently the main method of inducing flowering.

The flowers that orchids produce in test tubes do not change in their basic varietal characteristics. For example, plain-hearted varieties produce plain flowers and absolutely will not produce colored flowers. Any variety that has fragrance also has fragrance in its test-tube flowers, and the fragrance is rich, not inferior to the fragrance of potted orchids, which may surprise many people. Due to reasons such as temperature and other environmental conditions in the test tube, the flowering period is usually only a few days, not as long-lasting as potted orchids, but under low-temperature conditions the flowering period can be greatly extended. The proportion of malformed flowers produced by orchids in test tubes is relatively high, and in some varieties can reach 10 to 20%. Generally speaking, these malformed flowers are usually caused by physiological reasons and external culture conditions, such as hormone levels, inorganic salts, and other physicochemical factors, rather than corresponding genetic changes, so the appearance of these malformed flowers is meaningless for genetics and breeding. We have tracked and observed many strange-flower lines, hoping to select new excellent varieties from them, but the vast majority later produced normal flowers again, and truly stable ones were extremely few.

One phenomenon very useful to orchid breeders is that in most cases the flowers produced in test tubes have a normally developed column, with normal pollination capacity and seed-setting capacity. We have examined the development process of microspores under a microscope and found that the meiosis process and the pollen grain formation process are basically normal. Especially in flowers produced by the axillary bud method, after pollination the resulting fruit easily develops normally to seed maturity, and these seeds produced in test tubes have a certain germination capacity. Although the germination rate is lower than that of seeds from potted orchids, for breeders it is already enough.

With the continuous advancement of technical levels, people's ability to control orchids flowering in test tubes is becoming stronger and stronger, which will undoubtedly have a positive and far-reaching impact on orchid cross-breeding work. Since the main point of appreciation for orchids lies in flower art, an unknown variety basically cannot be judged for superiority or inferiority from its leaves before flowering. Therefore, breeders not only have to select suitable excellent parents for hybridization and cultivate seedlings, but also have to plant all these seedlings, good or bad, into the greenhouse, endure years of waiting until flowering, and only then can they screen out excellent individual plants. The workload of this process is very large. Even if an excellent individual plant is obtained, unfortunately the number of each individual plant is also very small, usually only a few shoots, which simply cannot meet market demand, and this excellent individual plant must still be used as an explant to do tissue culture all over again from the beginning. From starting cross-breeding work to finally having commercial seedlings supplied to the market, this process must go through two tissue culture cycles and two cultivation cycles from bottle seedlings to flowering, generally taking more than ten years. The perfection of test-tube flowering technology allows us, without going through the cultivation process, to screen excellent lines in test tubes, and once selected, they can be directly rapidly propagated without going through the protocorm induction process, shortening the entire breeding cycle by nearly half the time.

Another convenience brought by orchids flowering in test tubes is that it makes in-bottle hybridization of orchids possible, which is a completely new applied research field. Some breeding work requires repeated hybridization, backcrossing, and selfing before the breeding goal can be achieved and excellent new varieties selected. For example, in crossing a plain-hearted variety with a plum-petal variety, the first filial generation is usually plum-petal but definitely not plain-hearted. This requires backcrossing the first filial generation once with the plain-hearted parent, or selfing the first filial generation once, and then selecting plain-hearted plum-petal from the second filial generation. Using conventional methods, this process would definitely take more than ten years. Now, with methods to induce orchids to flower in test tubes, we can let the first filial generation flower in test tubes, and carry out self-pollination in test tubes or mutual pollination between first filial generation plants, and cultivate seeds. These seeds can be sown directly on the medium without disinfection to obtain the second filial generation, and then flowering can be induced, so that the desired variety can be selected from the second filial generation. This process can save at least two cultivation cycles from bottle seedlings to flowering compared with conventional methods.

In addition, because test-tube flowering is not restricted by season and can be induced at any time, this provides great convenience for hybridization between orchid varieties that flower in different seasons or between orchid varieties whose flowering periods do not overlap. In other words, orchids flowering in test tubes provide a stable source of pollen for cross-breeding work. Based on this idea, we have to a large extent escaped the limitations of flowering season and the limitations of source quantity (for some varieties with very small numbers, seeing them flower once may require waiting many years, and when they do flower, there may not necessarily be very suitable other parent materials flowering at the same time), and have already successfully achieved hybridization between orchid varieties that flower in different seasons.

At present, research work in the field of orchids is still in a just-starting stage, and there are still many unsatisfactory aspects. Not every variety can be induced to flower, nor can every variety reach the required flowering rate, and there is certainly no ready-made procedure that can make all varieties flower. Each variety requires a great deal of experimentation and exploration. However, these are basically technical problems, and I believe that with technological progress and as more people of insight join the research and development in this field, these problems will gradually be solved.

Watering Methods

Watering orchid plants should be based on various natural factors affecting the transpiration of the orchid plants, such as humidity, temperature, light, wind, season, and weather, so as to make different water management measures.

First, look at humidity. If the humidity in the air is low and transpiration is strong, then water more; conversely, if the humidity in the air is high or even saturated and transpiration almost stops, then water less or even do not water at all.

Second, look at temperature. When the temperature is high, transpiration accelerates and water demand is large, so the frequency of watering should also increase accordingly; conversely, when the temperature is low, water molecules move slowly and diffusion is weak, so water demand is small.

Third, look at light. Strong light accelerates transpiration and speeds up the diffusion of water molecules, so water demand is greater; conversely, water demand is smaller. Therefore, with different light and different shading degrees, water management also differs: water more those receiving sun, and less those facing away from the sun.

Fourth, look at wind. Strong wind evaporates water quickly; weak wind evaporates water slowly; dry southwest wind will enhance evaporation, while on the contrary moist southeast wind will cause transpiration to weaken relatively; orchid pots placed in a wind gap receive more wind and evaporate water quickly, while orchid pots in a sheltered place receive less wind and evaporate water slowly.

Fifth, look at season. Different seasons have different temperatures, humidity, and light, and the transpiration of orchid plants also differs greatly. Water more in the hot, dry summer; water less or not at all during the plum rain season; do not water in the low-temperature, overcast and cold winter; water less in the low-temperature early spring; water more in the mild late spring, which is exactly the sprouting period; water more in the dry autumn.

Sixth, look at weather. Weather in nature is ever-changing, and different weather has different light, temperature, and humidity, and the transpiration of orchid plants also varies greatly. The basic practice is: water more on sunny days, water less on cloudy days, no need to water much when it is about to rain, and do not water on rainy (or snowy) days.

Accordingly, it is very difficult to have an accurate and unified management method for watering orchid plants. The saying "water once every few days" lacks a scientific basis.

Precautions

Wounds must be protected against bacteria -- when repotting or dividing, if the roots have wounds, first apply fungicide to the wounds to prevent pathogen invasion.

Do not use too large a pot -- planting a small plant in a large pot uses a large amount of medium, which easily leads to poor aeration and makes watering difficult to control. If too much water is absorbed, the medium does not dry easily, and bacteria invade and cause root rot.

Orchids should be planted shallowly -- orchid plants must not be planted too deep, otherwise long-term moisture will cause rot. When planting, fill the medium around the roots, and the base or pseudobulbs must be exposed.

The roots must be spread out -- when planting orchids, the roots should be evenly spread out and must not be squeezed together, so that each root can contact the medium and aeration is also good.

Do not water for several days -- newly planted orchids may have injured roots. After the wounds are coated with fungicide, do not water for 3 to 5 days, so that the medicine can take effect and new shoots and new roots can be promoted to grow.

Avoid strong light -- newly planted orchids must all avoid direct strong light to prevent dehydration, and should be placed in a warm and shaded place. Spraying can be used to increase air humidity until the orchids return to normal growth.

Light Requirements

Orchids mostly belong to semi-shade plants, and most species fear direct sunlight and need appropriate shading. Orchids can receive more sunlight in early to mid-April to promote growth, and after late April they should be properly shaded. For Cymbidium faberi and upright-leaf varieties of Cymbidium ensifolium, it is best to place them at the south gate of a shaded area so they receive appropriately more sunlight; for drooping-leaf Cymbidium ensifolium and Cymbidium goeringii, 2 hours of light per day is best. From June to September, they should be placed in shade earlier each day, using shade nets or curtains. After October the weather turns cool and sunlight is weaker, but around noon attention should still be paid to shading work.

Spring Orchid Care Precautions

Spring has many overcast and rainy days, with relatively large temperature changes and frequent cold waves. If orchids are not well maintained and managed, they can suffer root rot and bud rot, seriously affecting their normal growth.

Household balcony-style orchid-growing sites should have cold-protection and rain-protection facilities. Cymbidium sinense and Cymbidium goeringii must be placed indoors for protection and management, while Cymbidium ensifolium, Cymbidium kanran, and others can be placed outdoors, but attention must be paid to drainage and moisture prevention for the orchid pots. It is best to set up plastic film above the orchid pots to shelter from rain, pull it open when clear and cover it when raining, so as to prevent invasion by cold wind, cold rain, frost, and snow.

When growing orchids, one should always ensure good ventilation. Orchid seedlings in greenhouses and warm sheds should be equipped with exhaust fans to exchange air and regulate humidity. Ordinary simple warm sheds and low ground-planted sheds covered with plastic film for freeze protection and rain shelter should also frequently open windows or lift part of the film to allow air convection, so as to ensure fresh air and moderate temperature inside the shed.

After the Spring Festival, for Cymbidium sinense and others, cut off the flower stems and do not let them bear fruit. Use 0.1% omethoate or dichlorvos solution to gently wipe the upper and lower surfaces of orchid leaves, and use sterilizing drugs and insecticidal drugs to spray the balcony, the surroundings of the site, and the potted orchids once every 7 days and 10 days respectively. Two hours after using the insecticidal drugs, spray clear water once on the leaf surfaces of the potted orchids to remove residual medicine.

Before dividing orchid pots, stop water supply for 3-5 days. When the medium in the pot is about 70-80% dry, carefully pour out the orchid plant and medium, trying as much as possible not to break the orchid roots. Wash with disinfectant water or clear water and air-dry, and repot after the orchid roots become soft and whitish. When repotting, use sterile new medium, with roots against the medium, new plants facing outward and old plants facing inward, and expose one third of the orchid head above the soil surface. After planting, place in a shade shed, spray on the leaf surfaces morning and evening, water thoroughly after 24 hours to settle the roots, and after 15 days transfer to normal management.

For orchids planted with new medium, apply a light, thin fertilizer once every half month to one month. During the large-seedling and strong-seedling stage, apply nitrogen fertilizer frequently, once every three to five days. For rejuvenated orchids, fertilization can go from once every half month to once a week, depending on whether the orchids can absorb it. For weak grass, rootless grass, and leafless pseudobulbs, however, absolutely only maintenance is required and no topdressing should be applied; otherwise, haste makes waste and harm is done instead.

Cold Regions

If orchids are to be grown well in northern regions, one should create environmental conditions suitable for their growth and development as much as possible and satisfy the requirements of the orchids' biological characteristics, so that they can grow and flower well. Specifically, the following tasks should be done well.

Choose Good Pots and Growing Medium

For ordinary household orchid growing, it is still better to choose clay pots. If a decorative effect is desired to increase beauty, a colored-glaze porcelain pot can be placed outside the clay pot. The size of the pot should be such that the orchid roots can fully spread out inside the pot. For potting soil, orchid soil is best. It can also be made by oneself. Use 6 parts leaf mold or peat soil, 3 parts sandy soil, and 1 part cake fertilizer, or mix 5 parts leaf mold, 3 parts compost soil, and 2 parts coarse sand evenly. For potting methods, see: Common Knowledge on Buying Orchids and Cultivation Techniques.

Watering Should Be Moderate

Watering orchids is a routine task and also an important link in whether orchid cultivation succeeds. The potting soil for orchids should always remain moist, but excessive water content should be avoided. In cultivation, the amount of watering should be determined according to different seasons and different growth stages of the orchids. Generally starting in spring, as the temperature rises, orchids enter a vigorous growth period, and the amount of watering should gradually increase, watering once every 1 to 2 days. In summer, the temperature is high and it is also the period of vigorous orchid growth, so it is usually suitable to water once each in the morning and evening, and watering at noon should be strictly avoided. When the rainy season comes, the amount of watering should be flexibly controlled according to the amount of rain and the moisture level of the potting soil, and water accumulation in the pot that causes root rot must be strictly avoided. In late autumn, when the temperature begins to drop, the amount of watering should gradually decrease, watering once every 2 to 3 days. In winter, when the temperature is low, most orchids enter dormancy, and watering should be controlled at this time, watering once every 5 to 7 days, except that Cymbidium sinense and Cymbidium kanran, which flower in winter, should be watered somewhat more.

Apply Thin Fertilizer Skillfully

When fertilizing orchids, apply thin fertilizer and strictly avoid concentrated fertilizer. There is a saying: "clear orchids, cloudy jasmine." Newly planted orchid plants should not be fertilized in the first year; fertilization begins after Qingming in the second year and continues until the Beginning of Autumn. Apply fully decomposed dilute cake fertilizer water 1 to 2 times a month. Because orchids have fleshy roots, never apply undecomposed fertilizer, lest the roots rot. Before each fertilization, control water for 1 to 2 days and apply after the potting soil is slightly dry. On the morning of the second day after application, water once to prevent unclean matter in the fertilizer liquid from polluting the root system and harming the orchid roots. When applying liquid fertilizer, be careful to avoid splashing and dirtying the leaves. For orchid plants that have been cultivated for several years and have reached flowering age, in the earlier period mainly apply nitrogen fertilizer to promote new shoot germination and rapid growth; in the later period mainly apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, which helps the pseudobulbs enlarge, the leaves become broad and thick, and provides sufficient nutrients for flower bud differentiation. Specifically, each autumn before flower bud differentiation, it is suitable to apply continuously twice a liquid fertilizer mainly based on phosphorus and potassium fertilizer; during the bud-bearing period, on a clear evening first wash the leaves with clear water, and after they dry, use a small sprayer to spray a 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution on the leaf surfaces and undersides, or apply plant ash water to the roots. At this time, foliar fertilization is beneficial for promoting the development of orchid roots, stems, and flowers. Do not fertilize on overcast and rainy days, and stop fertilization during the winter dormancy period. About 20 days after the flowers fade, apply twice more a liquid fertilizer mainly based on nitrogen fertilizer or a compound chemical fertilizer, which can promote plant growth.

There are two commonly used fertilization methods for orchids: one is soil fertilization, and the other is foliar fertilization. Foliar fertilization can compensate for insufficient trace elements in orchids, but it must not be done too many times; once every 15 days during the peak growth season is best. Soil fertilization is further divided into two situations: fertilizer applied in the soil is base fertilizer, and fertilizer applied on the soil surface is called topdressing. Base fertilizer should not be too much, to avoid fertilizer heating and injuring the roots.

Light Should Be Suitable

Orchids by nature like shaded, cool environments and fear direct sunlight. Therefore, in the north, from April to early May they can appropriately receive more sunlight before 9 a.m.; after mid-May they need shading, and at this time should be placed in a cool, ventilated place for cultivation. In winter, place them near a south-facing window to receive more light, so as to enhance their vitality and promote flower bud differentiation. Especially for Cymbidium sinense and Cymbidium kanran, which flower in winter, they should be placed indoors in a sunny spot in winter; without light they will not flower well. In short, growing orchids should achieve "not out in spring, not in sun in summer, not dry in autumn, not wet in winter," meaning that in spring they should avoid cold wind invasion and should not be moved outdoors; in summer they fear direct sunlight and should be placed in a cool, ventilated place; in autumn they should avoid dry potting soil, since this is exactly the orchid's bud-bearing period and watering should be appropriately increased; in winter they are in a dormant state, and too much water easily causes root rot, so the principle is alternating dry and wet.

Pest and Disease Control

The main pests and diseases of orchids include:

(1) Southern blight: mostly occurs during the plum rain season. Attention should be paid to ventilation and light transmission, and good drainage of the potting soil for prevention. After onset, remove the infected potting soil and sprinkle on pentachloronitrobenzene powder or lime.

(2) Anthracnose: present year-round, and more rampant in hot, rainy seasons. In addition to improving environmental conditions, during the onset period first spray with 50% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder at 800 to 1,500 times dilution, once every 7 to 10 days, and then supplement with 1% Bordeaux mixture of equal amounts, once every half month.

(3) Scale insects: they reproduce fastest under conditions of high temperature, high humidity, and poor air circulation. Use conventional methods for control.

(4) Root rot, also called nematode disease. Nematodes parasitize orchid roots, causing root rot, poor growth of aboveground leaves, leaf chlorosis and yellowing, and even plant wilting. Nematode damage causes a large number of wounds and also causes infection by other soil-borne pathogens, leading to plant disease and accelerated plant death. The cultivation substrate should be disinfected, and 100-degree steam sterilization can be used to kill eggs. In severe cases, repot immediately, soak the diseased plants in the medicinal solution for 20-30 minutes, take them out and air-dry, and replant with new substrate. In summary, to grow orchids well, one must master their natural growth environment conditions, adopt reasonable measures, and strengthen maintenance and management. According to "Orchid Cultivation Rhymes": "Not out in spring, not in sun in summer, not dry in autumn, not wet in winter." This is a summary of our country's experience in growing orchids.

Pollution-Free Pest and Disease Control Methods:

Below are some folk small remedies passed down among the people for pollution-free control of orchid pests and diseases. "Small" remedies can perhaps sometimes solve "big" problems, and orchid enthusiasts may wish to try them.

1. Tea seed cake

Tea seed cake, also called tea bran or tea seed cake, is the residue left after tea seeds are pressed for oil, and farmers often use it to wash clothes. Tea seed cake contains saponins and glycosides, and its water extract is alkaline, with very good stomach-poison and contact-killing effects on pests.

Control methods: 1. Soak crushed powdered tea seed cake and boiling water at a ratio of 1:5 for a day and night, use it to drench orchid pots, and at the same time drench the place where the orchid pots are placed and other orchid pots; it has a relatively good control effect on snails. 2. Spray orchid plants with tea seed cake water; the control effect on aphids and red spiders is very good, reaching more than 90%. 3. Tea seed cake water can also kill earthworms. Drench the potting soil thoroughly with tea seed cake water, and after a moment the earthworms will drill out of the soil surface; pick them out and remove them. Opinions differ in orchid circles on whether earthworms are beneficial or harmful to orchids. One view holds that earthworms in the pot damage some orchid mycelium when active and injure the root tips of orchid roots, so they are pests and must be removed. Another view holds that earthworms in orchid pots can eat many decaying substances in the pot and the rotten roots of orchids, and their activity can loosen the soil, while their droppings can also serve as fertilizer for orchids, so their merits outweigh their faults and they need not be killed. Which is right and which is wrong remains for orchid enthusiasts to judge based on their own practical observations, weighing the advantages and disadvantages.

2. Strong-flavored vegetables (scallions, garlic, chives, ginger, onions, etc.)

Odorous vegetables each have their own distinctive smell, and their odors can serve to kill insects and sterilize.

Prevention and control methods: 1. Take 25g of garlic, crush it and squeeze out the juice, dilute it in 10L of water, and immediately spray the orchid plants. This can control aphids, red spiders, scale insects and gray mold. Press peeled garlic into small pieces and place them at equal distances on the surface soil of the orchid pot. After a few days, earthworms and ants will be gone. 2. Soak chopped scallions and water at a ratio of 1:30 for a day and a night, then filter. Use the filtrate to spray the orchid plants several times a day for several consecutive days. It has a good effect on controlling aphids, soft-bodied pests and preventing powdery mildew. 3. Use 1 jin of ginger, add half a jin of water, mash and extract the juice. Add 6 jin of water to each jin of juice and spray the orchid plants to control aphids. 4. Mix leek juice and clean water at a ratio of 1:60. Use it to spray the orchid plants twice a day for several consecutive days to cure black spot disease. 5. Take 15g of chopped onion bulbs, place them in 2 jin of water, seal and soak for 7 hours, then filter. Use the filtrate to spray the orchid plants to control red spiders and aphids.

Three, Cigarette butts

Tobacco leaves contain about 3% nicotine. Nicotine has a strong contact-killing and stomach-poisoning effect on pests. Take about 20 smoked cigarette butts and one portion of quicklime, add water, stir, soak and filter, then add 30 portions of water. Use it to spray the orchid plants, potting soil and pot bottoms. It can eliminate ants and other pests without a waxy coating on their bodies.

Four, Washing powder and detergent

Washing powder can dissolve the cornea of scale insects, and at the same time forms a layer of foam that wraps around the insect body, causing the scale insects to suffocate to death. Washing powder solution can prevent and control some diseases and pests.

Prevention and control methods: 1. Dissolve a small amount of washing powder in warm water, then dilute with water to a 1000-fold solution and spray the orchid plants to kill aphids, whiteflies and red spiders. Dilute to a 600-fold solution, spray once every three days, and continue spraying three times, and all scale insects will die. 2. Mix pig bitter bile and clean water at a ratio of 1:100, and add a small amount of washing powder. Use it to spray the orchid plants to prevent and control anthracnose and soft rot. After spraying the orchid plants with washing powder solution, once the pests are dead, the leaves must be rinsed with clean water several times so that the orchid plants can grow normally.

Five, White liquor

Mix white liquor and water at a ratio of 1:2 and spray the orchid plants once a week, continuing for three times, to kill scale insects.

Six, Orange peel

Placing orange peel at the bottom of the pot can prevent ants and other pests from entering the potting soil and harming the orchids. Orange peel can also be cut into small pieces and scattered on the surface of the potting soil without watering for a few days, which can control aphids, scale insects and others.

Seven, Brown sugar

Mix powdered brown sugar and boiling water at a ratio of 1:100. After it cools, use the brown sugar liquid to spray the orchid plants once every 3 days, continuing for three times. It has a relatively good effect on preventing and controlling downy mildew, powdery mildew, black spot disease and leaf blight.

Eight, Diesel oil

Mix diesel oil and water at a ratio of 1:60 into an emulsion, then dilute it with 100 times water and spray the orchid plants to control scale insects and others.

Nine, Plant ash

Soak plant ash and water at a ratio of 1:50 for two days and nights, then filter. Use the filtrate to spray the orchid plants. It can not only control aphids, but also increase potassium fertilizer.

Ten, Edible vinegar

Mix edible vinegar and clean water at a ratio of 1:8, and use it to evenly spray the front and back of orchid leaves to control scale insects. If the scale insects have already become adults, the acidity of the mixed liquid can be slightly increased, spraying once every three days, continuing for three times, and then the adult scale insects can be killed. Spraying edible vinegar liquid on the leaf surface can also eliminate black spot disease, powdery mildew, leaf spot disease, yellowing disease and others. Industrial acid vinegar must not be used.

. For the prevention and control of orchid leaf surface diseases, I adopt three prevention and control methods:

First, the leaf surface spray method. A 1000-fold solution of thiophanate-methyl, or an 800-fold solution of carbendazim, can be used for spraying to sterilize and prevent disease. Dimethoate 1000-fold solution can be mixed in to kill insects, but thiophanate-methyl and carbendazim must not be mixed together for use, because mixing these two agents together will produce resistance and lose the prevention and control effect. In seasons of high temperature and high humidity, applying prevention and control once every 10 days or 15 days according to the solution ratio gives better results.

Second, the root drenching sterilization method. For diseased plants with severe black spot disease, anthracnose and others, root drenching sterilization and disinfection measures can be adopted. Specifically, a 1000-fold solution of carbendazim can be used to pour over the potting soil or soak the pot, while also spraying the leaf surface with the medicinal solution to sterilize. Doing this once every 1 week has a very good effect.

Third, the injection disease removal method. For diseased leaves of orchid plants that have already severely developed black spot disease and anthracnose, pruning is usually adopted. If rare artistic orchids are diseased, it is truly a pity to prune the leaves, so by imitating the principles of medicine, injections can be given to the diseased orchid leaves to remove disease, with particularly excellent results.

Specific method: Use a disposable 20 ml syringe to draw 18 ml of a pre-prepared 800-fold solution of thiophanate-methyl, insert the needle into the diseased spots on the orchid leaf surface and inject the medicinal solution at the same time. Give 1 injection at each diseased spot, and the effect is obvious. When injecting, use a piece of sterilized foam plastic as a backing to prevent the needle from pricking the hand.

Prevention and control methods for orchid diseases and pests