Meet the heart leaf ball orchid

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Picture and text: AHA

Hoya kerrii, also known as Cymbidium and Cymbidium, belongs to the family Asclepidiaceae, which belongs to the vine succulent plant.

Heart-leaf bulbous vine stem trailing, gray-yellow, up to 3 meters long, there are aerial roots at internodes, can be attached to other objects to grow. Leaves opposite, fleshy, dark green, heart-shaped. Apex concave, base acute or obtusely rounded, 10-15 cm long. About cm wide, petiole short and thick. Inflorescences axillary. About 20 florets gather into hemispherical, waxy flowers, sepals 2-5 mm, Corolla milky white, radial, coronal star-shaped, brown, fragrant, florescence summer, autumn. " Cymbidium caryophyllum "is a variational variety of Cymbidium, which has golden markings on its leaves. Other characteristics are the same as that of Cymbidium, but it grows slowly and requires less nutrients, so it is not suitable to use fertile soil and do not need to apply more fertilizer.

The genus Cymbidium is native to tropical and subtropical Asia. Pacific islands are also distributed, and more than 200 species have been found, excluding varieties and horticultural species, and new varieties are constantly being discovered. The inflorescence of the genus Cymbidium is hemispherical, although the flowers are small, but they are rich in color, and many varieties have fragrance. Leaves are heart-shaped, peach-shaped, curly, linear, piano-shaped and other shapes. in addition to green, there are many colors, such as white, pink, brass, bronze and so on. even a leaf has different colors, and the thickness of the leaves varies greatly. Only a few species with thick leaves, such as Cymbidium and Cymbidium, are cultivated as succulent plants.

First, the growth habits of Cymbidium.

The heart leaf ball orchid originates from Thailand and Laos and likes to warm up. Moist semi-overcast environment, resistant to drought, avoid stagnant water, not resistant to cold. During the growth period from April to October, the light is bright and there is no direct sunlight to protect the leaves from the scorching sun. However, too much shade will result in overgrowth of plants, thin leaves and long stem nodes.

Second, the cultivation methods of Cymbidium.

Heart leaf ball orchid watering should be mastered, "do not dry do not water, water is thoroughly", but do not accumulate water, so as not to cause rotten roots. Also can not be long-term drought, otherwise the leaves become thinner, lack of vitality. Should often spray water to the heart leaf ball orchid, increase the air humidity, make the leaf thick, plump, and clean the leaf surface dust. Apply mature organic liquid fertilizer or compound fertilizer once a month, the fertilizer liquid should be light rather than concentrated. Pay attention to ventilation during high temperature in summer to avoid muggy environment. Put it in a sunny place indoors in winter, control watering, make the plant sleep, and can withstand the low temperature of about 5 ℃. Change the basin every 1-2 years in spring, cut off the rotten roots and plant them with newly cultivated soil. The cultivated soil is required to be loose, breathable, fertile, well drained and has a certain particle size. As Cymbidium is a vine, a support should be set up for its climbing and growth. Can also often start to pick the heart, promote branching, so that it forms a dense and dense plant type. It can also be planted in a higher tube basin to make its branches droop and grow, scattered and elegant, with unique characteristics. In the cultivation, pay attention to remove the withered leaves and keep the plant shape beautiful.

The pests of Cymbidium are mainly caused by aphids, red spiders and shell insects caused by poor ventilation. Black spot disease is caused by rotten roots caused by stagnant water in basin soil in summer. attention should be paid to improving the cultivation environment for pre-prevention, such as timely spraying control of diseases and insect pests.

Third, the mode of propagation of Cymbidium.

The propagation of Cymbidium is mainly by cuttings. in the growing season, select healthy and full rattan stems, cut 2-3 sections, pay attention to remove the white serous from the wound, let it dry for about 2 days, and insert it into vermiculite, red jade soil or sandy soil, which contain less fertility, put it in a place with bright light, pay attention to keep the medium moist, and it is easy to take root. Leaf cuttings can also be cut, although they can take root, but it is difficult to sprout and form plants. It can also be propagated by pressing, tissue culture, sowing and other methods, and the latter two methods are suitable for large-scale reproduction.

Fourth, the characteristics of heart leaf ball orchid

Heart leaf ball orchid pigment elegant, like wax handicrafts, thick leaves are like pieces of "heart", very strange. Potted plants can be displayed on the table, several, cellar terrace, balcony and other places to enjoy. In addition to planting with culture soil, other forms such as hydroponics or soilless cultivation can also be used. The plants with leaf cuttings can survive for a long time after rooting. Because its leaves are heart-shaped, it is also known as "Love Leaf" and "Valentine's Ball Orchid". It can also be used as a gift for lovers to express their wishes to each other, and has formed a flower language: one leaf means "wholehearted". Two leaves represent "two people with one heart" and "heart to heart" and so on.

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