How to grow potted magnolias? A detailed guide to garden cultivation methods
1 The history of orchids
Orchids have a long history of cultivation in China, spanning several thousand years. They are grown in every region of the country, especially flourishing in the southwest and Taiwan, China. They enjoy the reputation of being "the finest fragrance under heaven, the beauty of scent." Orchid blooms are pure and unadorned, soft and elegant, and pleasantly fragrant; they are a uniquely personified flower in the world.
Orchids are one of the oldest and most prized ornamental flowers in China. The fragrance of orchids is clear without being heavy; its scent is contained within, pure and mellow, elegant and refined, thought-provoking, and long-lasting. Orchid colors are subtly elegant, the flower forms are dignified and graceful, and the leaves stay emerald green all year round. The slender green leaves combine strength and softness, with a graceful bearing that is transcendent and serene. As early as the Spring and Autumn period in China, King Goujian of Yue planted large areas of orchids on the mountains of Zhejiang.
2 The ecological habits of orchids
Orchidaceae, a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant. Roots are clustered, fleshy, and cylindrical. Leaves are linear and leathery. In early spring, numerous flower stems emerge from between the leaves, each stem bearing 1 flower at its tip; the flower is pale yellow-green and has a delicate fragrance. There are many cultivated types, with a great many varieties. It is one of the potted ornamental plants with a long history of cultivation in China.
It grows wild in eastern, central, southern, and southwestern regions of China, on shaded mountain slopes in forests.
It prefers a warm environment with good ventilation and moist air. It is best cultivated in slightly acidic soil rich in organic fertilizer with good drainage, and it has strong cold resistance.
3 Key cultivation points for orchids
3.1 When cultivating, the development of the orchid root system must be considered. Orchid roots are relatively well developed. According to the orchid's requirement for drainage and aeration, the flowerpot chosen for orchids is more special than ordinary flowerpots. It is better to use orchid pots with a rough texture, unglazed surface, many holes along the bottom edge, and pot feet. Orchid pots are generally wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, with a relatively deep base, like a trumpet opening upward. There is a drainage hole at the bottom, and around the lower section of the pot there are many small drainage holes; the purpose is to allow the orchid roots to breathe better. Newly planted orchids are best grown in earthenware orchid pots. After cultivation for more than 1 year, once the new roots have developed normally, they may be moved into attractive purple clay orchid pots.
3.2 Soil: use sandy loam mixed with humus soil. Whether orchids are grown well depends on the soil. Orchids are semi-epiphytic flowers, so they must be grown in acidic soil that contains humus and has good aeration. Mountain soil from mountainous areas where orchids grow gives better cultivation results. Orchid soil can also be mixed yourself: use 70% sandy loam and 30% coarse-grained humus soil. After mixing, pile it up for more than 3 years before use.
3.3 Pay attention to the care of wild orchid roots. Newly dug wild orchids from the mountains have not yet developed new roots and have many broken roots. First clean the soil off the roots, wash them with clean water, and cut off dead leaves and dried, scorched leaf tips. For leaves infected with disease or pest spots, the diseased spots should be cut away without hesitation. In addition, rotten and yellowed old roots must also be cut off. If the orchid has no intact roots, then the old roots and root cores without root tips should be retained. It is best to soak the orchid plant for 2 h in a solution made by mixing 600-times-diluted Keshade or Shadufan or medical penicillin and streptomycin, dissolving each bottle of powdered injectable medicine in 2.5 kg of water, then remove and wash clean. Dry the orchid roots in the sun; this can activate the vitality of the orchid plant, soften the orchid roots, make them easier to straighten out, less likely to break, and easier to pot. To prevent the orchid leaves from drying out while drying in the sun, the leaves can be shaded; generally about 2 h of light is enough.
3.4 Do not water too much. Orchids are terrestrial plants and like moisture but dislike waterlogging. Many beginners, afraid that the plant lacks water, end up watering too much and simply rot the orchid's fleshy roots. The watering principle for soil-grown orchids is to prefer dryness over moisture; it is enough to keep the orchid soil slightly damp. For soil-less cultivated orchids, the opposite applies: prefer moisture over dryness.
Orchids do not have high water requirements; they should be kept dry rather than wet. In January and February, water once every 7 d; in March and April, water once every 3-4 d; in May, water once every 2 d; in June, water once every d; in July and August, water once every 3 d; from September to December, gradually reduce from watering 2 times every d to watering once a week, and be careful not to let them get rained on.
pH test paper can be bought at a pharmacy to test the water quality. If the acidity is insufficient, add some table salt and rice vinegar to the water to adjust it. Watering orchids involves much knowledge; it is best to water along the edge of the pot. In summer, water in the early morning or evening, avoid watering at noon, and do not water too much. Generally water once a week; in summer water twice a week. Too much watering can cause root diseases and pests in orchids. Especially in continuous rainy weather, the potting soil should be dry rather than wet; a dry pot helps orchids send out new leaves.
3.5 Orchids have light requirements. From March to mid-April, orchids can be exposed to sunlight; from late April onward, after 09:00, they should not be exposed to much sun; spring orchids need only 2 h of sunlight per d, and from June to September shading must be started earlier each d. After October, shading can be delayed.
3.6 Fertilization. Newly planted orchids should not be fertilized until they grow new roots 2 cm long; generally new roots take about 2 months, and some people advocate fertilizing only after 1-2 years of cultivation. Orchid fertilizer can be mixed yourself: use 4 parts plant ash, 10 parts bean cake, and 6 parts bone meal; after mixing evenly, store in a container, add water in stages, and after 1 year of fermentation, dilute before use.