Talking about the venue of raising orchids on the balcony

Planting orchid is an elegant artistic enjoyment. Besides enjoying its beauty and fragrance, it can also cultivate one's mind, enrich one's spiritual life and be beneficial to one's physical and mental health. With the intention of "raising orchids and raising them in orchids" in mind, I have planted more than 150 pots of Chinese orchids on a balcony of four square meters north of the sixth floor since 1986. After constantly learning from others 'experience and summing up their own practical experience, the orchids now grow well. Every summer, due to effective measures such as humidification and cooling, there are basically no diseases and insect pests, few black spots on leaves, and more flowers. When flowering, the house full of fragrance; no flowers, elegant leaves, it is refreshing. Some people say,"Orchids are good, but they're hard to grow." In fact, as long as you understand the characteristics of orchid growth, know its requirements for sunlight, ventilation, temperature, humidity, fertilizer, etc., create a suitable place for orchid growth, pay attention to cultivation management, it is not difficult to plant orchids well. The following only personal experience, talk about how to create a balcony suitable for the growth of orchids site issues.

Orchids originally grew in cool, moist, airy valleys. To plant orchids on balconies, we must first transform the surrounding environment and create a special site similar to a valley that can adapt to the growth of orchids.

The requirements for the balcony orchid planting site are:

1) Appropriate lighting. Sunlight is appropriate, the relationship between the growth of orchids strong and weak. Although orchids are shade plants, they also need adequate sunlight to carry out photosynthesis, produce nutrients, strengthen roots and leaves, promote germination and flowering, and resist pests. Without sunlight, although it does not die, it will affect germination and flowering. But orchids can not let the sun exposure, especially ink orchid most afraid of strong light. Sunlight can cause imbalance between absorption and emission of water, resulting in burning of orchid leaves and drying of leaf tips. East to the balcony species orchid can receive morning sunlight, the most ideal. South and west to the balcony by the sun is often too strong, if there is no high wall block, must use shading net or other methods to reduce sunlight, avoid direct sunlight; summer except before 8 am, the rest of the time must be added 90% shading, especially in the west sun must be covered; winter except before 10 am, the rest of the time had better add 50% shading. North balcony sunshine is less, can consider not to add shade net. The orchids have lower requirements for light, and about two hours of light in the morning or placing the potted orchids in a bright place, coupled with timely application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and control of moisture, can also promote orchids to bloom in time.

Second, pay attention to ventilation. Orchids originally grow in the surrounding woods, fresh air and circulation of the valley, so the most avoid poor ventilation species orchid. Sometimes black spots are found on orchid leaves and insect diseases breed, often due to poor ventilation of the site. Balcony planting orchid, in summer should generally install exhaust fan for forced ventilation, in order to maintain air circulation in the field, promote orchid plant metabolism, otherwise easy to occur pests.

Third, to increase the air humidity. The ancients once had the saying of "dry orchid wet chrysanthemum", which means that the soil in the orchid basin should not be too wet, indicating that orchids have certain drought resistance ability, rather than referring to the air humidity in the field. The optimum humidity for orchid growth is about 80% relative humidity. High-rise balcony air is relatively dry, humidity does not meet this requirement. Therefore, it is best to install an automatic spray humidifier if there are conditions. Simple methods are: installing plastic spray nozzles to disperse water mist into the air of the venue, but avoid spraying wet orchid leaves for too long; laying absorbent sponge on the ground; placing water containers around orchid basins; or occupying part of the ground to build a small pool with charcoal or sponge to allow water to dissipate slowly. All these can improve the air humidity of the venue.

4) Control the temperature. The optimum temperature for the growth of cymbidium is 25 degrees. Summer should not exceed 32 degrees, winter should not be lower than 10 degrees. If this requirement is not met, effective measures must be taken. In summer, forced ventilation is used, or the potted orchid is placed in a place where the southeast wind blows in, and the orchid leaves are wet every morning and evening. In winter, curtains should be hung to avoid cold winds; if the number is small, it is best to put potted orchids indoors.

5. We must prevent all kinds of pollution. City balconies planted orchids, inevitably have pollution smoke, pollution gas, sewage, dirt and other effects on orchids growth. In addition to washing leaves with water, spraying, etc., it is best to build a blue shed, with transparent fiberboard or colorless glass on the roof, surrounded by black or white shading nets; glass windows can be installed, and the temperature and humidity can be adjusted at any time.

If the balcony orchid shed can meet the above requirements, coupled with scientific cultivation management, the orchids planted will grow happily and fill the garden with spring.

Yang Qinzhong