Orchid Seed Propagation Techniques and the Best Potting Soil Choices
When planting orchids, first prepare an airy potting soil and remove the seeds from the fruit. After extracting the seeds, soak them in sodium chlorate, then take them out and rinse them with clean water, and next plant them in the prepared soil. Finally, cover the seeds with soil, water them, and wait for them to take root. Propagation can also be done by division, and the soil should be chosen to be as acidic as possible and also well aerated.
I. Planting Methods
1. Prepare the potting soil: The first step before planting is to prepare an airy flower pot and loose, clean soil. The soil can be a mix of peat soil, coarse sand, coal cinders, and sandy loam, and it is best to disinfect it before use.
2. Treat the seeds: Before sowing, first sterilize the unopened fruit with alcohol, then remove the seeds, and then soak the seeds in sodium chlorate for 5-10 minutes. After soaking, take them out and rinse them in clean water; this can reduce weed growth and is more helpful for seed germination.
3. Start planting: Put the treated seeds into the soil, then cover with a 3 cm layer of soil, then water it once, and next place it indoors at a temperature of 25°C, waiting for them to take root and sprout.
II. Propagation Methods
Besides propagation by sowing, division can also be used. As long as the growth condition is very good and the pseudobulbs are relatively dense, division can be carried out. Usually, five pseudobulbs linked together form one clump; prepare clean sandy loam and pot each clump. After potting, water it thoroughly and place it in a semi-shaded environment, and it will take root in about half a month.
III. Soil Selection
When cultivating orchids, it is best to use specialized soil, which can be bought directly at a nearby flower market. If growing them at home, mixing your own soil is also good, but it should meet the requirements of being airy, acidic, and strongly draining; this kind of soil will help the orchids grow more robustly later on.