On the selection of "Plant material" in Orchid cultivation

The orchid I began to cultivate was the downhill grass I brought back from the orchid mountain area (I first came into contact with the orchid in 1986, which was sent by relatives in Huangshan). Because the grass is very strong, the orchid mud produced in Zhenjiang is mixed with less coal ballast (large chunks at the bottom) and cultivated in the first floor yard of relatives' homes. Usually take care of the water and give drugs, but the new seedlings are not bad! The adult plant rate is 90% in autumn. The other 10% suffer from "soft rot" in the high temperature and humidity of the plum rain season (there are also many "stem rot and anthrax"), because they are not famous, that is, they are treated very normally. In the spring of that year, several pots of orchids bloomed. Although there is a disease in the plant, the root of each pot of mountain grass can be regarded as top-notch.

In the introduction of famous species, I started with middle and small seedlings (mainly considering the price factor). Of course, my way of introduction is to find a famous dill with a good reputation and come to the door, there is no doubt about the variety. When I first treated these small and medium-sized seedlings, I adopted the cultivation of "peat soil". Coupled with the influence of the water of "snow falling", the loss in that year was very serious. The root of this "peat soil" is mainly granular (fresh plant material), but the decomposition and consolidation of this "peat soil" occurs with the lengthening of the use time. The hardened "plant material" flows out quickly as soon as it is poured into the water, and it is difficult to infiltrate it. If it is not careful, it is easy to form a half-cut water phenomenon and reach the "empty root". Even this spring, I was experimenting with a basin of soilless "granular plants" (of course, inspired by the relevant reports. At that time, I did not understand why orchids could grow in pebbles). It is made of "volcanic stone" mixed with "snake wood". The same cultivation environment, the same control. Of course, compared with "peat soil", soilless "granular plant" must be given special treatment in water management and fertilization. The result is that soilless cultivation has achieved good results.

That year, I adopted "planting gold stone * immortal soil, red jade * immortal soil, volcanic stone * immortal soil, pine orchid stone * immortal soil" each 50% preparation, the basin grouping for the experiment, the effect is very good. My feeling is that cultivating Lanhui "planting gold stone" is the best, followed by "red jade stone and volcanic stone", and "pine blue stone" planting spring sword and lotus petal is better. Coupled with the gradual improvement of the management behind, this year is easy to pass in the rainy season. To tell you the truth, I am not satisfied with this result, because the preparation of "plant material" in the cultivation of Chunlan is not scientific enough.

This year, I have adopted a classified ratio in the cultivation of "plant materials": "gold stone and fairy soil" are divided into medium and small grains (some with a little red brick grains), and large, medium and small grains are arranged in turn (large grains are replaced by charcoal blocks at the bottom). Cymbidium flowers are mainly medium-sized (planting gold stone * fairy soil), while spring swords and lotus petals choose the "pine orchid stone" with bark. So far, the budding, unearthed and rooting growth has been gratifying.

An orchid friend asked me why I wanted to change to the current "granular plant" instead of "peat soil". This is because of my cultivation environment, my orchid room is a balcony orchid room, the hygiene requirement of "plant material" is relatively high, this does not mean that "orchid mud" and "peat soil" must be bad and switch to other ones. Therefore, I say that everyone's cultivation environment and starting point are different, and the choice of "plant material" is also different. For example, if you want to raise two pots of ordinary orchids that smell fragrance and are on the first floor of the courtyard, you might as well choose "orchid mud". In the case of proper management, there will be strong roots and white seedlings. For example, the old orchids who use the "peat soil" method in the courtyard on the first floor, with their rich management (cultivation) experience, do not orchids grow very well?

In the above answer, I did not point out the key point. in fact, I chose "granular plant" dill for three reasons:

1. The environmental factors mentioned above.

2. As I often travel on business, under the premise that the "granular plant" is easy to infiltrate and hydrophobic, it would not hurt for my family to help water a little more, so under the short-term escrow of my family, I am very relieved to be away on business. This is not, so far there have been no troubling problems.

3. The most important thing about this point is that germs are easier to control than the above "orchid mud and peat soil".

In short, each kind of "plant material" has its own advantages and disadvantages. If the grower can make it into his own "plant material", it will undoubtedly be the best "plant material" for him. I think with the change of people's living environment (except for professional orchid enthusiasts), there will be fewer and fewer orchids growing in the courtyard. Under such circumstances, "granular plant" will be the mainstream of future development, and "orchid mud and peat soil" will quietly step off the stage of history.

Note: for those who have just played with orchids, please remember that in the choice of "planting materials", please do not run with the wind. Following others is the least desirable, to choose realistically and be able to master it for the best, if half of the success is also. (Wan Yunkun)