Orchid Fertilization Care and Methods for Preventing and Controlling Edible Fungus Diseases and Pests

Regarding the question of fertilizing orchids, some people believe that orchids grow in the wild and are naturally elegant, so they should not be fertilized, while most people believe that orchids are ornamental plants cultivated in pots with limited soil, so they should be fertilized. Looking at previous works on orchids, all contain records of fertilization, so fertilization is necessary. In the process of growing orchids, to make orchids grow well and bloom abundantly and brilliantly, appropriate fertilization should be given to orchids. Therefore, because orchids grow relatively slowly. Orchid roots have symbiotic orchid mycorrhizal fungi, and after fertilization, nutrients are absorbed by the fungi and converted into nutrients needed by the orchids, but the effect after fertilization often responds relatively slowly. In addition, different growing media also affect the judgment of the effect after fertilization. Therefore, when cultivating expensive orchids, people are very careful about fertilizing orchids. Some even think that orchids will grow and bloom without fertilization. In fact, appropriate fertilization is better for orchid growth and blooming than no fertilization. Orchid researchers conduct rational fertilization based on data from analyzing the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio in leaves or pseudobulbs, and the results show that doing so promotes growth, regulates the flowering period, and increases blooming. Practice has proven that rational fertilization of orchids is necessary.

The nutrients required for orchid growth include carbohydrates, macronutrients, and micronutrients, etc., which are the main nutrients for orchid growth. They come from photosynthesis; carbon comes from carbon dioxide in the air, and hydrogen and oxygen are obtained from water, but adding oxygenated water to orchids is very beneficial. Macronutrients are the elements required in relatively large amounts during orchid growth. They include elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, magnesium, and calcium. These elements are mainly obtained from the growing medium or added manually. Micronutrients are required in very small amounts during orchid growth but are indispensable. Such elements include boron, manganese, iron, zinc, copper, aluminum, etc. They come from the soil. Nitrogen fertilizer promotes plant growth and makes leaf color dark green. When nitrogen fertilizer is excessive, plant cell walls become thinner, the plant body becomes soft, and resistance to diseases and pests is poor. When nitrogen fertilizer is deficient, leaf color becomes pale yellow and plant growth is slow. Phosphorus fertilizer promotes plant cell division, makes the orchid plant plump, and forms leaf buds and flower buds, because excessive phosphorus fertilizer can also inhibit orchid plant growth. Potassium fertilizer dissolves nutrients and transports nutrients to cells, making all tissues of the orchid plant plump and improving drought resistance and disease resistance. When potassium is lacking, the orchid plant becomes weak and growth may even be hindered. At different growth stages of orchids, spray the fertilizers they need, and do not use one kind of fertilizer for a long time. For example, the American-made Huabao contains a complete range of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, etc., because different fertilizers should be applied in different seasons. Carry out foliar spraying regularly, generally with a cycle of spraying fertilizer once every 7-10 days. The dilution ratio is generally about 1:1000 to 1:1500. The spraying time must be on a clear morning or in the evening before sunset. After spraying fertilizer, it is better if the leaf surface dries within 1 hour. The spraying amount should be moderate and reasonable. It is limited to the entire leaf surface being moist.