Regularity of water consumption for controlling and cultivating orchid

The use of water is a very important factor in the success or failure of raising orchids. The older generation of experts who raise orchids say that "planting orchids and watering for three years first" is very reasonable. I have grown ordinary Cymbidium and Jian Orchid for more than 20 years, and it has been four or five years since we have grown traditional famous flowers and selected precious new species. It can not be said that we have mastered the law of water use. However, some experiences and lessons have been accumulated and put forward for Lanyou to discuss together.

Orchid water first encountered a problem is to use what kind of water, generally speaking, the natural Rain Water is the best, is slightly acidic, and does not contain bleach. In particular, snow water also contains a variety of elements, which is beneficial to the growth of orchids, but it is difficult to store and use all the year round. Secondly, river water and pool water can also be used, but now that industrial development and pollution is relatively serious, it should be used with caution. The third is well water, which has a large temperature difference with the ground, but it is also polluted and should not be used. Like most orchid farmers, I use tap water, which is abundant and easy to use. But pay attention to two points: first, tap water after bleach disinfection, should not immediately water flowers, should be stored for more than a day and night, so that bleach precipitation, chlorine can be used. Second, pay attention to the acidity and alkalinity of water. Orchids like slightly acidic water, and the PH value is between five and six. Can be tested with test paper, above 7 for alkaline, to add the right amount of hydrochloric acid, oxalic acid or edible vinegar to neutralize. If the acid is too heavy under five, it should be adjusted with caustic soda or plant ash.

The most difficult thing to master is the humidity of the orchid pot plant. The experience of the ancients in raising orchids was that "orchids are moist and afraid of dampness, like to be dry and afraid of dryness". The question is how to master the degree of "moist" and "dry". I began to grow orchid with mountain mud, ventilation and permeability is poor, and I do not understand the characteristics of orchid root fear of dampness, afraid of orchid dry death, boiling water every day, the result affects ventilation, so that the root breathing is blocked, resulting in poor growth of orchid plants, or even mildew and death. In the future, I will use Emei Immortals to add bricks or pond cornerstones, these hard plants have good air permeability and will not accumulate water, which is beneficial to the development of Langen. But it is easy to dry, after drying, it is extremely difficult to absorb water, a long time will cause the shrinkage of leaves and bulbs, affecting the growth of orchids. Later, according to the experience of Lanyou, I first soaked Xianli in water, small grains for two or three days, large grains for four or five days, and so on before using them. The excess soil is sealed in plastic bags to avoid water evaporation. The water permeability of fairy soil is good, and it should be watered more frequently than other soil. Of course, it should be watered according to different seasons and weather conditions. High temperature in summer, large evaporation, orchid growth is exuberant, need a lot of water, should be watered frequently, once or twice a day. Winter temperature is low, evaporation is small, orchids are dormant, less water can be watered once every four or five days. The climate changes greatly in spring and autumn, so we should grasp it flexibly and generally go around once every two or three days. In cloudy and rainy weather, the humidity is high, so you can water less. If the water evaporates quickly in the windy and dry weather, it is necessary to irrigate more water.

The law of watering should be grasped flexibly not only according to the different plant materials and weather, but also according to the different orchid pots and the growth of orchid seedlings. I use three kinds of orchid pots to grow orchids. According to comparative observation, tile pots dry the fastest with the same watering, followed by plastic pots with holes in the basin, and purple sand pots are slower. Therefore, it should be treated separately when watering. Now I water it every other day. For orchids in earthen pots, I always water them thoroughly with a sprinkler. If the interval is too long and the immortal soil is found to be dry, the method of soaking the basin will be used to make the plant evenly absorb water, and then transfer to normal management. For orchids planted in plastic pots and purple sand pots, water should be watered thoroughly with a sprinkler one day, and sprayed with a sprayer every other day. Different amounts of spraying water should be determined according to different orchid pots and different moisturizing degrees. In addition, the amount of watering should be determined according to the variety and growth of orchids. The general rule is that orchids should be watered more, cymbidium and cymbidium less; those with strong growth should be watered more, and those with poor growth should be watered less; those with numerous orchid seedlings should be watered more, and those with few orchid seedlings should be watered less; and orchids should be watered more during the growing period and less during the dormant period. In short, it should be treated separately according to the specific conditions of different environments, climates, conditions, varieties, and appliances, and should not be applied mechanically.

Watering also needs to grasp the timing and water temperature. According to my experience, the best time to water is when the basin soil is dry and not dry, that is, when the table is dry and the lower layer is still slightly tidal. Watering time to master the water temperature and basin temperature is basically the same, can not be too different. In summer, the temperature is high during the day and low at night. There is a process of temperature change on the basin. Watering is best carried out in the morning, when the air temperature and upper temperature are cool. It is best to boil water at noon in winter, because at this time the temperature is the highest and the basin has warmed up, which is more appropriate. Generally should not be watered in the evening, otherwise the leaves of stagnant water, easy to cause black spot and buds, buds rot.

The method of watering can take the combination of watering, spraying and soaking basin. Usually use a sprinkler to water, do not water it, pour it thoroughly until the bottom of the basin is running water. Without pouring half a section of water, that is, there is water in the upper layer of the basin soil and Tianshui in the lower layer, for a long time, it will cause the orchid root to dry up and the orchid plant to die slowly. Another method is to spray with a sprayer, which can increase the humidity of the air in the orchid room and the humidity of the plant in the orchid basin, wash the dust and clean the foliage. If a small amount of chemical fertilizer is added to the water, it can also play the role of extra-root fertilization. This method can be often used in orchid growing periods and dry seasons. Another method is to soak the basin, put the orchid basin into the water, so that the water permeates slowly from the bottom up, and this method can be used when the basin soil is too dry or the plant material is difficult to absorb water. These three methods have their own characteristics, and can be cross-implemented and combined according to the different needs of orchids, which is conducive to the healthy growth of orchids. (Shou Jicheng)

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