Orchid pseudobulb planting methods and techniques

Orchids are remarkably diverse and adaptable, growing from the Arctic to the equatorial rainforests. However, the large number of tropical and subtropical orchids draws the attention of orchid enthusiasts. Many of these orchid species can attach to trees or be grown outdoors. In cooler temperate regions, orchids are grown in indoor pots. Although many orchid species can grow in the same pot for years, some orchid species need to be renewed every year. Apart from Phalaenopsis, timing is the key to success in growing orchids.

Choosing the timing for repotting

The best time to repot an orchid is during its active growth phase. Orchids usually begin growing after flowering, but growth cycles can occur at other times. Signs of orchid growth include new tip growth and white roots at the base of the plant. Some orchids form pseudobulbs at soil level at the start of the growth cycle. Repot at this stage so the plant can adapt to the new environment with minimal stress, because new roots quickly settle into the new pot. Regardless of the growth stage, Phalaenopsis (moth orchid) can adapt to repeated repotting at any time.

Replacing potted plants

Sometimes orchids must be repotted in an emergency, such as when the pot breaks, or when the potting medium has badly decomposed before the orchid begins growing. A broken pot can constrict the orchid's roots, so repotting an orchid into a new pot is less likely to damage the orchid than leaving it in a damaged pot. When rinsing, take special care not to damage the roots. Another case is repotting after buying a new plant. Because you do not know how long your orchid has been potted, be careful and take it out as soon as possible. If the plant you bought is in bloom, repot after flowering has ended.

Timing of replacement

Based on years of experience, Danshen, Mitonia, Papico and Phalaenopsis are repotted every year. Every other year, repot the potted cattleya, almond and tooth orchids. Vandas and Lanbia need repotting every 3 years.

Points to note

Repotting an orchid does not necessarily require increasing the pot size. Orchids need repotting to replenish the root-supporting medium, not necessarily because the roots need more space. When the plant roots, move it into a pot 2.5 cm larger than the old pot. Although orchids grow faster in a pot 2.5 cm larger, they will bloom more frequently and the roots will be denser. However, orchid growing media including cedar bark, peat moss, coconut chips, mahogany fiber, perlite and hydroponic rock are also important. You can buy them or make them yourself. It is recommended to keep room temperature for two weeks after watering, while maintaining high humidity. The pot can be placed on a tray filled with wet gravel or marble, and spray some quick orchids daily to help them adapt to the pot.

To grow orchids, we should consider the orchid (for example, its living environment, for which we must create a similar environment). Therefore, there is only one rule for growing orchids: replicate the natural conditions in which it lives.

In nature, most orchids are epiphytes, meaning they grow on other objects and attach to rough bark or even stones. The more popular orchids that most people like are Phalaenopsis hybrids (the so-called moth orchids) or Dendrobium hybrids.

The best growing conditions for orchids

Bright light, but not strong afternoon sun

High humidity

Airy airflow around the roots

Regular dry periods alternating with rainy days (just like under natural conditions, a few dry days followed by heavy rain)

Temperature between 10°C and 30°C

Most orchids bought in stores are packed in cheap plastic pots with the roots soaked in soggy moss. Obviously, this violates the two main rules of orchid growing. There is no airflow around the roots, and the roots never get a chance to dry out completely. Therefore, the plant cannot breathe, and root rot is inevitable. The main function of orchid roots is to quickly absorb water and breathe.

The orchids we buy from stores are generally in full bloom. After enjoying its beauty, there is still a lot of work to do afterwards:

After flowering ends, continue to use sterile pruning shears to cut off the dead spikes and repot. The orchid should be potted in a special orchid pot with orchid soil.

Orchid pots have a spacious drainage channel, so water will pass straight through the pot. Orchid potting soil usually consists of several non-fertile materials, including pine bark, charcoal, and even polystyrene foam.

Take it out of the plastic pot and remove as much moss as possible, as carefully as you can. Healthy roots should be white and solid, with small green growth points.

Cut off any shriveled, rotten or blackened roots.

Place the plant in the pot and fill with soil.

To provide the necessary humidity and tap water, place the plant in a wide, deep tray and fill the tray with gravel so that water can move up and down when watering.

Tips for indoor orchid care

In summer, watering is needed every week, and heavily. Let the water soak the roots and fill the pebble tray. Do not worry, as long as the water in the tray can dry naturally after you stop watering, there will be no problem. During the growing season, apply a weak solution of powder or liquid fertilizer every week.

In winter, keep the plant warm and water them once a month. Mist occasionally to ensure it stays hydrated. Do not fertilize.

Orchids are not easy on the eyes, I believe that by mastering the above points, your orchids will be better and more beautiful :)

In addition to the traditional methods of growing orchids, some experts have adopted some wonderful orchid growing methods, and orchids can be grown well. Here 10 exotic orchid growing methods are selected, for reference only, please do not imitate them lightly.

1. Simply growing orchids with sphagnum moss

1. Prepare sphagnum moss and a pot: if the sphagnum moss is dry, wet it with water and it should be soft and moist. I use green freshwater moss grown in the mountain forests of Guizhou;

The pot is made from an ordinary small plastic pot, 13 cm in diameter and 11 cm in net height. They are made with small pieces of foam plastic, laid in the pot to increase ventilation space.

3. Then use an appropriate amount of sphagnum moss on the small pieces of plastic, place the orchid on the plant, fill the gaps between the roots with chopped sphagnum moss, then wrap all the roots with sphagnum moss, tight, ready in the pot, fill the pot with sphagnum moss, and tighten moderately. Then use some beautiful sphagnum moss to spread evenly over the surface of the pot, press gently and pour water. This potting process is complete.

Photos of growing orchids with sphagnum moss

Two, growing orchids with weathered stone

1. Prepare some weathered stone, wash, dry and disinfect it.

2. Use a sieve to filter the soybean-sized grains of weathered stone.

3. Plant the orchid in an ordinary pot, spread the large grains evenly over the surface of the pot, press gently and pour water. This potting process is complete.

Photos of growing orchids with weathered stone

3. Growing orchids in mountain soil

Use a sieve to sift out part of the pure grains, not large, smaller than soybeans; large grains can be crushed, the grains should not be too large, ready to use at any time.

Follow the normal procedure to place the orchid grass that needs to be planted, and when it is directly planted to about 2/3, gently shake the pot a few times. It does not need much, about 3 times, so that the roots and the mud are fully in contact.

At this point, fill the plant up to the reed head, and plant the fully sifted pure grains on the cover.

Photos of growing orchids in mountain soil

4. Growing orchids with pine

Take an appropriate amount of loose pine hair, disinfect and ferment it

Add an appropriate amount of red clay

Place the orchid into the planting in the normal way.

Photos of orchid growing with pine hair

5. Growing orchids with sheep manure (too singular, risky, not recommended for beginners)

After collecting the manure, pour it into a bucket and soak it for one to two months.

Take the sheep manure out from the top and dry it. Dilute the orchid with sheep manure water soaked in two-thirds water.

Add the treated sheep manure to an appropriate amount of red clay, and grow the orchid in the normal way.

Photos of growing orchids with sheep manure

6. Growing hydroponic orchids

Pick orchid seedlings for hydroponics

Place the orchid in a hydroponic container with gold-plated stone (gravel) to increase permeability.

Manage in the normal way, adding an appropriate amount of nutrient solution every week.

Photos of hydroponically grown orchids

Seven, growing orchids with peanut shells

1. Chop the peanut shells and put them into a container;

2. Pour water into the container, soak the peanut shells for a few days, and remember to change the water repeatedly. The water content in the container is about 40%, and an appropriate amount of orchid nutrient solution is used to promote fermentation;

3. Cover tightly with a plastic bag or cling film, open the plastic film after about 10 days, turn over the peanut shells and then cover it again; in summer half a month is enough, in winter the time is a bit longer;

The fermented peanut shells can be used to prepare orchid planting material. 20%-50% fermented peanut shells plus an appropriate amount of humus soil can be used to provide a simple and ideal orchid planting material.

Photos of growing orchids with peanut shells

Eight, growing orchids with pine bark

Collect pine bark from phlegm deposited for more than 3 years or from trunk wood that has already rotted in its natural state

Disinfect the pine bark, sun-dry it and break it into small pieces.

Add appropriate red soil or sour pulp to grow the orchid in the normal way.

Photos of growing orchids with pine bark

Nine, growing orchids with coconut shell

At the bottom, thicker fermented material is better than pine bark + phytolith at 1/5 (pine bark should dry quickly, try to keep the pot's dryness and moisture consistent), then coconut shell + phytolith down to about 2 cents below the head.

The top is filled with a little eucalyptus bark, covering 1/2 of the head (the broken bark is soft, and the bud roots have room to squeeze and grow; the fat is released slowly, providing the nutrition new roots need. It will not burn the roots like fat does.

Cover the top of the head with coconut shell + phytolith, and moisten it.

Photos of growing orchids with coconut shell

X. Growing orchids with pure red clay

1. Expose the red clay to the sun, preferably for high-temperature disinfection.

2. Finely sieve the red clay, and select soybean-grained red soil. The finer part can be used to grow other plants

3. Plant the orchid in the pot in the normal way.

Photos of growing orchids with pure red clay

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