The natural environment of the original place of lotus flower orchid

Lotus orchid, a member of the Chunlan family in China, is native to the western part of Yunnan Province and grows in a few places in Dali, Nujiang, Diqing, Lijiang and Baoshan. It generally grows in high-altitude mountains and deep valleys, thus forming the particularity of lotus petal orchid plants. In order to cultivate a strong and beautiful lotus petal orchid, in addition to fully understanding its general plant properties, we must also know its growth habits, especially the requirements for the geographical environment and climate of its growth in the natural state. This is the first condition for the cultivation of lotus petal orchid.

The mountain belt of Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau is located in the northern hemisphere of the earth, near the Tropic of Cancer, longitude 98 °- 100 °, latitude 24 °- 28 °. The zone is located in the three rivers and six banks with the Lancang River as the center, that is, the upper reaches of the Jinsha River, the high mountains and deep valleys on both sides of the Nu River and the Lancang River. Three rivers and six banks of the mountain canyon, the climate into a valley climate (see lotus petal orchid growth chart). This zone is located in the southwest of Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, the annual average temperature is about 16 ℃, the temperature difference between day and night is small, and the frost-free period is long. The climate of lotus petal orchid growing place is four unclear seasons, dry and wet season is distinct, Rain Water is sufficient, sunshine time is long, sunshine is sufficient. The Hengduan Mountains in western Yunnan have high mountains and high waters, and the climate is set up in shape, which is different from that in the dam area. Most of the orchids grow in the mountains with an elevation of 600,000m above sea level, and the elevation has increased greatly in various parts of Yunnan, reaching 2000 meters. Lotus orchids, on the other hand, grow in high mountains at an altitude of 2,600 meters above sea level. Most of these high-altitude mountains have snow after winter, and the elevation of 2800 meters is just below the snow, so the climate is naturally colder, with the lowest temperature around 0 ℃. Lotus petal orchid forms cold-resistant, leafy and flowering plant characteristics, which is completely determined by the natural environment.

The Hengduanshan area in western Yunnan Province is composed entirely of high mountains and rivers, crisscross rivers and lakes, mild climate and high air humidity, good soil quality, moderate moisture and fertilizer, which is very suitable for the growth and reproduction of all kinds of orchids. Only on the nineteen peaks of Diancang Mountain in Dali, more than 20 species of lotus petals, fragrant flowers and green orchids have been found, and more in history, according to the record of Nanzhao Wild History written by Yang Shengan in the Ming Dynasty. There are more than 70 kinds of orchids in Dali. Led by Shirley. " The place where the lotus petal orchid grows is really high mountains, overlapping mountains and valleys, and the mountains are towering into the clouds, one after another, one layer after another, with a little bit of Cangshan, Biluo Snow Mountain, Gongshan and so on.

Western Yunnan not only has the mountain structure with complex topography, but also forms the complex river system structure with the overlapping mountains in the north-south direction. Rivers crisscross between the Hengduan Mountains in the western part of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, lakes are dotted with water potential flowing from north to south and pouring from west to east, forming a tight and special water system structure. In addition to Lancang River, Jinsha River, Heihui River, Erhai Lake and other small plateau lakes. Between the mountains and among the mountains, there are mountain streams and clear springs, which are extremely rich in water resources. Due to the rich water resources and the suitable temperature, it is very suitable for the growth of all kinds of plants, and the forest vegetation is very thick. The trees here are semi-humid evergreen broad-leaved forests, subtropical evergreen shrubs, and more mountains grow broad-leaved shrubs such as chestnut. The forest cover is large, which can fully maintain the humidity of the air. The humidity of the general valley is about 60%. There is such an ecological environment, just to meet the growth needs of lotus petal orchid.

The place where the lotus petal orchid grows is mainly evergreen shrub jungle, especially where chestnut trees grow. The evergreen shrub jungle metabolizes year after year, falls its leaves, accumulates and decays, and the soil in the plateau mountains of western Yunnan is mostly red soil, and the trees, especially the stump branches and leaves of Chestnut, are mixed with red soil to form humus. After mixing, the two become dark brown and loose humus soil after being exposed to the rain and the sun. This kind of humic soil is slightly acidic, its PH value is between 5 and 7, and its fertility is moderate.

Hengduan Mountain in western Yunnan has complex lithology, different thickness of geomorphological weathering layer, large slope, not easy to accumulate water when there is heavy rain or water, rapid temperature rise in sunny days, large water evaporation and increased air humidity, therefore, the unique geographical environment and climatic conditions have created a superior growth condition for the lotus petal orchid. Nelumbo nucifera is a plant of the family Transylandaceae given by nature to western Yunnan.

The geographical location, climate and soil characteristics of high mountains and great rivers in western Yunnan sum up all the conditions that should adapt to the growth law of lotus petal orchid. Lotus petal orchid is a neutral plant, like sunshine but afraid of bright light, like wet and afraid of scribbling, like Rain Water and afraid of stagnant water, like slightly sour but afraid of alkali, like fat and afraid of excessive fertility. Therefore, it can be concluded that a good grasp of the growth environment and natural conditions of lotus petal orchid, artificial efforts to provide an environment similar to nature in the process of cultivation, selection of suitable cultivation materials and careful management will certainly cultivate a strong and beautiful lotus petal orchid. (Zhao Qin, Wang Zehuai, Li Xinhua)