Culture methods and matters needing attention of the latest crab claw orchid

Crab claw orchid, also known as Christmas cactus, crab claw lotus, cactus flower, icing on the cake, etc., is an epiphytic succulent plant of the cactus family, which is native to Brazil. It is commonly cultivated in parks and flower beds in our country as an ornamental plant. It is often grafted on Tianyu or other rootstocks to obtain luxuriant plants. let's take a look at the breeding methods and matters needing attention.

Growth environment of crab claw orchid

Crab claw orchid is commonly cultivated in the tropics and subtropics all over the world. it likes cool and warm environment, is more tolerant to drought, is afraid of high temperature and heat in summer, and is more tolerant to shade. The suitable temperature for growth is 20 ~ 25 ℃, and the temperature during dormancy is about 15 ℃. Like loose, rich in organic matter, good drainage and ventilation of the matrix. Crab claw orchid is a short-day plant, under the condition of 8-10 hours of sunshine every day, it can blossom in 2-3 months, and the flowering period can be adjusted by controlling light.

Grafting technique of crab claw orchid

1. Grafting time: the suitable time for grafting crab claw orchid is from late March to mid-June and from mid-September to mid-October, but the grafting is the best in late spring and early summer, and the grafting should be carried out in sunny morning, so there is more juice in rootstock and scion. The interface healed.

2. Rootstock selection: the one-year growing strip type, not too thick but vigorous, disease-free cactus branch was selected as the rootstock, and the length was between 8cm and 12cm. Take it from the matrix, cut the lower end into a flat mouth, cut it into sandy soil, cultivate it for 2-3 months, and then make a grafted rootstock after survival.

3. Scion selection: the strong mother plant of crab claw orchid was selected for grafting scion, from which the tender top branch with nodes was selected as scion with a length of 3 cm to 4 cm (the scion grew weakly after sprouting). Cut the lower sides of the scion into a wedge with an alcohol sterilized blade, with a cutting length of about 0.8-1.2 cm.

4. Grafting method: first, the two sides of the basal segment of the scion are obliquely cut into a duckbill shape. The length of the cutting surface is 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters, which can be cut with one knife as far as possible to facilitate survival. Then cut longitudinally at the top of the rootstock, the width and depth of the knife is a little larger than the cutting surface of the scion, and the cut scion is quickly inserted into the cut of the rootstock and fixed. Finally, the connected flowerpot is placed in a cool and ventilated place from the wind and rain, and it is expected to survive in about 20 to 30 days.

Culture method of crab claw orchid

1, flowerpot selection: crab claw orchid flowerpots can use muddy flowerpots, plastic pots, porcelain pots and pottery pots, but muddy flowerpots are better. In order to coordinate with family decoration, they can be cultivated in plastic flowerpots with different colors. It is advisable to choose a pot with a crown diameter of 2pm and a pot diameter of 3 pots.

2. Soil configuration: crab claw orchid likes fertile and loose soil. Families can use 3 parts of garden soil, 4 parts of rotten leaf soil, 3 parts of sand or 4 parts of peat soil, 2 parts of rotten leaf soil, 2 parts of sand, 2 parts of perlite (or volcanic rock). It is best to disinfect the soil after high temperature disinfection, or it can also be sterilized in the sun.

3. Reasonable watering: crab claw orchid is an epiphytic cactus, which is often attached to trees or wet valleys in the natural environment, so the cultivation environment requires semi-shade and moist, but the basin soil should not be too wet and adhere to the principle of "dry and thoroughly watered". Water once every 2 to 3 days in high temperature season, and avoid watering at noon. The temperature is low in winter, can be watered once a week, avoid watering in the evening.

4. Timely fertilization: crab claw orchid likes fertilizer, and there are many branches and flowers when the fertilizer is sufficient. After the sprouting of leaf buds, topdressing can be started. In the growing season, 10 times of rotten liquid fertilizer mixed with 1000 times of potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution or 1000 times of "Huaduoduo" general fertilizer can be applied once every 15 to 20 days. The times of fertilization should be reduced at the end of autumn and should be stopped when the temperature is below 10 ℃. No fertilization is applied when the summer temperature is high and the winter temperature is low.

5, light control: crab claw orchid is afraid of hot and high temperature, avoid exposure and rain, so it should be placed in indoor ventilation or shady balcony in summer. Crab claw orchid gradually returned to growth after the Beginning of Autumn, should be placed in 50% of the light, such as shade shed or sunny window, in order to receive light and promote flower bud differentiation. As the weather turns cooler and gradually increases the light, sufficient light should be given from late autumn to winter.

6. florescence control: crab claw orchid is a short-day plant, which can be controlled by adjusting the light time. To promote flowering, start short-day treatment according to the desired flowering time of 60 to 70 days in advance, natural light time of 8 hours per day, and shading treatment for the rest of the time. Continue to shade, can not be interrupted, generally can see buds after 20 days.

Matters needing attention in the culture of crab claw orchid

1. After the autumn is cool, the crab claw orchid should be placed in a sunny place indoors. If the buds formed by not getting enough sunlight in autumn and winter will fall off and blossom will decrease or not.

2. when the crab claw orchid plant grows big, it is easy to be top-heavy and light, and it needs to be tied up, which can be supported by iron wire and other things. After flower failure, the residual flowers should be cut off together with the flowering stem nodes at the end, and pay attention to water control, and water can be watered to keep the basin soil moist after the new buds grow.

3. The upper basin soil of grafted seedlings of crab claw orchid can use 3 parts of rotten leaf soil, 4 parts of garden soil and 3 parts of river sand, plus a small amount of organic fertilizer or bone powder as base fertilizer. The basin is usually changed every 1-2 years. The change of pots should be carried out after the flowers bloom and fail in spring.

4. After the early spring flower fade, the crab claw orchid has a dormant period of about 40 days. Watering should be controlled at this time, but attention should be paid to loosening the soil and keeping the basin soil dry. When the top begins to sprout new buds, start watering to keep the basin soil moist, but avoid stagnant water in the basin, so as not to cause rotten roots.

5. Crab claw orchid will be dormant or semi-dormant when entering the summer high temperature season, so it should be watered less to keep the basin soil semi-wet and avoid rain.

4. After autumn, the crab claw orchid people gradually return to growth as the weather turns cool, and begin to water normally to keep the basin soil moist. In the bud stage, we should often spray water, keep abnormal stems and buds moist, and watering to keep the soil moist. Watering should be controlled after flowering to prolong the flowering period.