Talking about the dry-wet method of glass slide perspective basin soil

After the publication of the 4th issue of Zhongkang Orchid in 2004, the author's clumsy work, "slides through the basin soil in the wet method", aroused the interest of many orchid friends who wanted to try. Some called or wrote to ask the author how to see through the basin soil in the wet method. How to see the dry and wet degree of the basin soil? In view of this, the author talks about the slide perspective basin soil dry-wet method, and strives to express his own observation in practice, and some experience, and sincerely communicate with Lanyou, in order to provide reference for beginners of orchid cultivation.

1. The glass slide perspective basin soil dry-wet method changed the level of observing the dry-wet degree of the basin. In the orchid boundary, as we all know, in the cultivation of orchids, orchid pots are generally divided into upper, middle and lower layers with different filling specifications. The so-called upper, middle and lower three layers, that is, the bottom layer (cushion bottom layer), the middle layer (plant nutrient layer), the upper layer (basin soil surface layer). Therefore, orchids have always been based on visual observation and experience, look at the changes in the surface of the basin soil, and judge the degree of dryness and wetness of the basin soil, and then determine the watering time of the orchid.

According to this traditional experience, in the daily management of orchids, the author often observes the color changes of the middle matrix of the basin soil at any time through slides, and knows the degree of dryness and wetness of the basin soil: if the color of the middle matrix becomes light and white, it shows that the matrix is dry; if the color of the middle matrix becomes dark and black, it indicates that the middle matrix is wet; if the color of the middle matrix is neither dark nor light, it means that the middle matrix is moist but not wet. The results of the above observation are the basis for deciding whether or not to water the orchid.

In addition to visually observing the color changes of the matrix in the basin and understanding the dry and wet degree of the basin soil, the author also lifts the slides inserted into the basin bottom up at any time, and the orchid basin is like opening the door. the author can touch and observe the dry and wet condition of the basin soil matrix with his hands at will, in order to grasp the correct basis of watering orchids. When the author introduces this unexpected advantage, there must be doubts as to whether the matrix in the basin will be scattered if the slide inserted into the bottom of the basin slides up and down. On this point, Lanyou can rest assured to operate, because the basin matrix after more than a month of cultivation, the basin matrix has been basically finalized, will not be scattered at all. In this regard, the author also wants to explain the substrate cultivated by himself, which can be used as a reference for Lanyou to use as a slide to see through the basin soil matrix.

The substrates for orchid cultivation are humus 30%, non-polluting stream coarse sand 20%, small grained stone bone (air sand soil) 10%, Xinghong brand orchid 20%, peat soil 10%, Reed charcoal 5%, charcoal (bottom) 5%.

The self-made orchid matrix has the characteristics of looseness, ventilation, diuresis and moisturization. it has been proved by the author's long-term practice that this mixed substrate can adapt to the growth and development of orchids and can achieve the effects of thick roots, luxuriant leaves, strong seedlings, flower fragrance and good color.

2. The glass slide perspective basin soil dry-wet method effectively solves the dispute of pouring false permeable water. As we all know, pouring fake permeable water, also known as pouring half of water. In the orchid boundary, there are many disputes about fake permeable water, and there are different opinions: some people oppose pouring fake permeable water, saying that the matrix is only half wet, the topsoil is wet and the bottom soil is dry, and the blue root can not get water, so it is easy to dry up and die; others are in favor of watering fake permeable water, saying that it is too often watered, the basin soil matrix is wet, it is easy to rot the roots, and the orchid plants will be injured if they do not die. But the author's view on this is to advocate pouring fake water through water. Why? The author believes that as long as the pseudo-permeable water is burned in a timely and appropriate amount, it is beneficial and harmless to the growth and development of orchid plants.

According to the slide perspective basin soil dry-wet method, the author knows that the surface layer of the basin soil is often affected by light and wind, and the water poured on the orchids permeates very quickly to the middle and lower layer, and because the water evaporates quickly on the surface layer of the basin soil, the moisture retention of the middle layer of the basin soil is better than that of the surface layer. It is easy to form that the surface layer of the basin soil is dry, and the middle layer matrix is still in a wet state.

Therefore, through the perspective of the dry and wet degree of the basin through the slide, the author found that the surface layer of the basin soil has been dry for 4 days, and even the surface layer of the basin soil has been dry for 4 days, and the middle matrix of the basin soil is still wet. if it is poured through water at this time, it is bound to increase the humidity of the middle substrate, which is not conducive to the growth and development of orchids.

Orchid farmers all know that orchids are fleshy roots, and their physiological and growth characteristics are "wet and wet, dry and dry". According to this characteristic, when the surface layer of the basin soil is dry and the middle layer matrix is still wet, the spray watering method is used to pour the false permeable water so as to maintain the moisture of the basin soil surface and middle layer matrix, so that it is more suitable for the growth of orchids.

In the high temperature season of midsummer and early autumn, the author often sprays water slowly to keep the basin soil matrix moist but not wet, so that the orchid plant will also grow strong and full of vitality in the high temperature season. But the method of spraying water can not be sprayed at will. It depends on the season, the weather, and the growth of orchid seedlings. For example, in late spring and early summer, when the orchid plant is sprouting and growing vigorously, and the orchid plant is dormant in winter, the author generally does not use the method of spraying water. In short, orchid watering, to proceed from the actual, flexible use, must not be mechanically applied. If the surface layer of the basin soil is dry and the middle layer matrix is still moist, when the basin soil surface and middle layer matrix is dry, it should be watered thoroughly to ensure the normal growth of the orchid plant.

The author of the above folly opinion, the wise see wisdom, benevolent people see benevolence, but no matter how to say. I believe. Practice leads to direct knowledge. (Dazhu Deng Zhongfu, Sichuan)