How to grow Dendrobium orchids? Cultivation methods and precautions
Dendrobium is an orchid family plant, with different varieties distributed across various provinces in China, and it is a highly ornamental flower. In addition, the stems of Dendrobium can also be used as traditional Chinese medicinal material, and can be used to treat phenomena such as weakness after illness, poor appetite, and dry vomiting. Its economic value is relatively high. So how should Dendrobium be grown? Below, the editor brings you the cultivation methods for Dendrobium. Let's take a look!
1. Cultivation substrate
To plant Dendrobium, you first need to choose a shady and moist place. Since Dendrobium is an epiphytic orchid, we generally use pot cultivation when planting. The potting substrate should be a mixture of bark, charcoal pieces, sand and soil, and various other materials with relatively strong permeability as the cultivation substrate. However, when choosing bark, note that you must not choose bark that cannot secrete aromatic substances. This can promote the development of the Dendrobium root system, provide sufficient nutrients for Dendrobium growth, enhance nutrient absorption capacity, and also have a certain moisture-retention capacity, increasing the growth rate of Dendrobium.
2. Variety selection
There are very many varieties of Dendrobium, and almost every province in China has different varieties. For example, the varieties in the Yunnan region are mainly Dendrobium compactum, while regions such as Guangxi and Hunan are mainly Dendrobium laxiflorum. Therefore, when choosing planting varieties, we should make reasonable choices according to local varieties and market demand. The root capacity of Dendrobium is very well developed, and it can be fixed on tree trunks or in rock crevices, and can absorb nutrients and water from the air. However, if the environment is suddenly changed, it may be unable to adapt. Therefore, for home cultivation, it is not advisable to choose wild Dendrobium, as its survival rate is relatively low.
3. Propagation methods
The propagation method for Dendrobium is generally based on division propagation. First, we should choose a pot of Dendrobium plants with robust growth, high flower quantity, and dense root clusters as the mother plant. Then dig out the entire pot of the mother plant, and evenly divide it into about 3 clumps according to the distribution of the mother plant's root clusters. Each clump must have at least more than 3 stems to ensure the flowering rate of the new plants. Then clean the roots, let them dry, and place the new plants into flower pots with substrate prepared in advance. The mixed soil must ensure good permeability, and an appropriate amount of charcoal should be added to improve its drainage and irrigation capacity. Then water it thoroughly and place it in a place with about 50% shade for cultivation.
4. Daily management
We should water reasonably according to the growth condition of Dendrobium and the moisture condition of the substrate, generally watering once every 5-7 days or so. The amount of water each time should not be too much; keeping the soil moist is sufficient. Otherwise, water accumulation is likely to cause root rot in Dendrobium and affect its growth. Dendrobium is suitable for growing in a warm environment, and its temperature should be controlled at around 20-25 degrees. The temperature should not be lower than 10 degrees, otherwise it will cause Dendrobium to enter the growth period early, and in severe cases, die. However, the temperature should not be too high either. If it is kept in an environment above 30 degrees for a long time, then the flowering rate of Dendrobium will be reduced, or it may even fail to bloom.
During the cultivation process, appropriate fertilization is also necessary. Generally, sufficient compound fertilizer applied in spring is enough. This is because the spring environment is very suitable for Dendrobium growth, the fertilization effect is relatively good, and the utilization and conversion rate is also relatively high. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Thank you all for reading and supporting.