Is wet culture of Phalaenopsis correct? Sphagnum moss planting and care methods
As more and more people pay attention to Phalaenopsis, many livestreams keep popping up, with hosts teaching people to "wet-culture Phalaenopsis." The specific method is bark on top, volcanic rock below, choosing a glass or ceramic flowerpot without drainage holes, and then claiming the orchid roots rely on the water stored in the volcanic rock to moisten the roots. But in fact, this method is really extremely inadvisable, and for beginners who have just come into contact with Phalaenopsis, it is even more unsuitable.
China is vast in territory and rich in resources, and the climates of the south and north differ considerably due to regional issues, so when growing flowers, never apply a one-size-fits-all approach; you must "adapt to local conditions." And if you follow the method described in the livestream above to grow Phalaenopsis, beginners can easily cause root rot, and in severe cases directly kill the plant. For this, having spent money only to get a pot of wilted flowers, one will certainly be greatly discouraged, causing people who originally liked orchids to turn to growing other flowers.
At the same time, if you happen to wet-culture in summer, it is even worse, like adding frost to snow. Friends who are new to growing flowers already cannot grasp the watering frequency well, and then using that kind of non-breathable glass pot or ceramic pot, they definitely cannot judge the immediate dry or wet state of the root system.
When buying orchids online through livestreams, besides the incorrect method above, some hosts, in order to sell their own products, try hard to smear sphagnum moss, saying it easily acidifies and is not durable. This is simply nonsense! Sphagnum moss is clearly the best companion for growing Phalaenopsis. Whether domestic, Chilean, or New Zealand, as long as daily care is done properly, using it for one to two years is completely fine.
There is also the promotion of fertilizers in livestreams, which is also the part with the most traps, especially those advertised as "Phalaenopsis-specific liquid fertilizer." Many are unlicensed products, and the effects are all based on bragging. If you do not know how to choose, listen to me: just go to an agricultural supply store and buy potassium dihydrogen phosphate. Supplement phosphorus before flowering, and usually use a balanced nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer.
By the way, the currently super popular "Huaduoduo" liquid fertilizer has counterfeit goods flooding the market. Remember, the blue granular one has long been discontinued, the balanced fertilizer is light green, and No. 2 is white. Buying counterfeit goods equals wasting money. Everyone must keep their eyes sharp and not pay the "IQ tax"!