Characteristics of several commonly used plant materials

Traditional cultivation in Wuxi area uses topsoil (orchid mud) collected in mountain forests to cultivate orchids, most of which need to be transported from Nantong Junshan, Yixing Dongguan Mountain, Fuyang Xiangshan, Shaoxing Lizhu and so on. However, at present, the forest area has been closed for ecological protection, and the supply of orchid mud is urgent.

It is imperative to adopt new techniques to cultivate orchids. Therefore, I began the experiment of using artificial culture medium to cultivate orchids in the mid-1980s to gradually replace the mud of orchids. The artificial cultivation substrates tried are: sawdust, garbage recycled soil, Hawthorn seeds, water moss, ceramsite, coconut shell chips, bark, brick grains, charcoal, palm bark, perlite, plastic foam particles and so on.

1. (stone to) stone

Stone is a porous spongy multi-sheet body that is neutral and can retain water and nutrients. According to the observation of Cymbidium (including some valuable varieties), Jian Cymbidium, Cymbidium and Cymbidium for 3 consecutive years (compared with the control group cultivated with orchid mud), the annual germination rate of potted orchids planted with stone is 5% higher than that of the control, and the length of new seedlings is 0.5% higher than that of the control. 5 cm. The orchid plant looks stout and powerful. The flowering rate is no less than that of the group. However, the stone used to cultivate orchids should not be used many times.

2. Sawdust

Sawdust is a kind of matrix material with wide sources and low cost, and the sawdust of broad-leaved trees is better. In addition, sawdust should be soaked in water for more than 10 days before it can be used. According to the experiments on Cymbidium, Jianlan and Cymbidium, the annual germination rate and length of new seedlings were similar to those of the control cultivated with orchid mud, and the orchid plants were strong and strong. It is especially suitable for planting plants with poor root growth. Therefore, sawdust is a very suitable cultivation substrate for orchids, such as Cymbidium, Cymbidium, Jian Orchid, Orchid and so on. However, orchids planted with sawdust should be turned into pots within 1-2 years, otherwise the root growth of orchids will be affected. The effect of coconut shell chips is better than that of sawdust, but the source is limited.

Hawthorn seed

The by-products of Hawthorn processing have no use value in the producing area. Entrusted by Lanyou in the producing area, the experiment was carried out on Chunlan, and even some precious varieties of Cymbidium grew well. If it can be further expanded and processed into a matrix with different particle sizes, it can be disinfected and used repeatedly. Hawthorn seed should be a matrix with good development prospect.

Ceramsite

Red clay products with round shape and honeycomb pores in the interior, with various particle sizes. It has medium water holding capacity and good ventilation. Similar to foreign burnt stone, it is widely used in orchid planting, and it is used to cultivate orchids and semi-epiphytic orchids with excellent results. However, the cost of ceramsite is high, its promotion is limited, and the effect is similar when it is replaced by brick.

Palm skin

The palm peel can be used after a little processing, and can be used to plant epiphytic orchid. In particular, it can be used for various forms of planting, such as binding, plate planting, hanging planting and so on, which is very convenient.

VI. Bark blocks

The bark of broad-leaved trees is processed according to different particle sizes, and it is better to cultivate Phalaenopsis, Cartland, Wandai orchids and other aerial orchids. However, due to the light weight of bark, it is difficult to support large plants, so it is necessary to add artificial support. Similar to charcoal. Charcoal after high heat treatment, no diseases and insect pests, many pores inside, good water absorption. Drainage is also fast, can be used for planting Phalaenopsis, Cymbidium, etc., but also must add artificial support.

In short, there are many artificial culture substrates that can be used. Generally speaking, the culture medium with small particle size should be selected for the species of terrestrial orchid and plant, while the culture medium with larger particle size should be used for the species of epiphyte and plant. The mixed artificial culture medium is generally made of orchid mud and sawdust, stone to stone, leaf shavings and so on. The proportion should be determined according to the species and environmental conditions of cultivated orchids. (Jiangsu / Zhou Juying)