Fertilization and Light (transferred from Orchid Treasure Book)

Fertilization and Light (transferred from Orchid Treasure Book)

The relationship between fertilization and light is an extremely important and often neglected problem in the process of orchid fertilization.

With regard to fertilization, orchid friends pay great attention to such issues as the suitable temperature for fertilization, what fertilizer should be applied during the vegetative growth period, what fertilizer should be applied during the breeding and growth period, what kind of grass can be fertilized, what kind of grass should be cleaned up, and the concentration of the fertilizer solution.

For light, orchid friends pay great attention to the appropriate light intensity of all kinds of orchids at all growth stages, how to block the light, and how to make up the light.

However, in the process of orchid cultivation, it is not enough to pay attention to the above problems. We often see that some orchids raised by orchids have long leaves but short roots, showing a top-heavy state; although some orchids are planted in pots with only 3 or 4 seedlings, they use large pots, and the leaves of orchids are short and yellow, but their roots are long and many, full of pots, showing a top-heavy state. The important reason for these two bad growth conditions is that the relationship between fertilization and light has not been properly handled.

As we all know, light can promote the synthesis of carbohydrate and aminotrinic acid. During the day, carbohydrates produced by photosynthesis are stored in the leaves in the form of starch and are moved down at night when they are alienated. The intensity and weakness of light will lead to the strength and deficiency of assimilation.

If the light is not enough, the assimilation of the leaves is also insufficient. Due to indigestion of nitrogen fertilizer during the day, carbohydrate and starch savings are less, and less decline at night. Over such a long period of time, the leaves of orchids must be wide and thin, with long and thin bases. On the other hand, the roots are short and few, even rootless. This leads to the phenomenon of top-heavy. After this happens, it is necessary to gradually increase the light intensity, continue to supply organic nitrogen (which reduces carbohydrate consumption in the metabolic process), cytoactive agents and cell reinforcers, and reduce water supply. After the new followers grow out, slowly return to normal management.

If the light is too strong, the assimilation of the leaves will be too strong. Due to the consumption of excessive nitrogen fertilizer, the leaves are short and yellowing. Due to sufficient sugars and amino acids, pseudobulbs and roots grow excessively. When the orchid appears this top-heavy phenomenon, in addition to reducing the light, it should continue to provide sufficient inorganic nitrogen. The supply of inorganic nitrogen can not only reduce the content of carbohydrate, but also promote protein synthesis. It can also be used for appropriate ramet or root thinning to increase the number of sprouts. In this way, the new grass can return to normal.

Practice has proved that orchids can absorb nutrients under sufficient light, so there must be sunshine when fertilizing orchids, and the best time to fertilize orchids is in the morning with good weather. When applying chemical fertilizer, the light intensity is relatively higher, while when applying organic fertilizer, it is relatively low.

In addition to light factors, orchids will also have a top-heavy state if the orchid basin is too dry for a long time, too much fertilizer in Tsuen, or on the upper side; similarly, if the concentration of carbon dioxide in the orchid house is too high during photosynthesis, the respiration is too exuberant because of the high night temperature, and the lack of nitrogen when growing well will also occur. These issues should be dealt with separately.