Since ancient times, orchid has been the favorite of literati and writers, and has won the reputation of “King’s fragrance” with its delicate fragrance and elegance. However, the beauty of orchids lies not only in the elegance and beauty of their flowers, but also in the tenacity of their vitality. Even after the flower stem has fallen, as long as we have the right planting techniques, orchids can still regenerate new buds from the stem and bloom a new flower of life.
Understand The Basic Growth Habits Of Orchids
Orchids, belonging to the orchid family, have a wide variety of growth habits. But in general, orchids like warm, moist, well-ventilated, half-shade, half-sun growing environment. Before planting orchids, we need to have a basic understanding of their growth habits in order to create the most suitable growth conditions for them.
Temperature: The suitable growth temperature of orchids is between 15℃ and 30℃. The temperature is too high or too low, will affect the normal growth of orchids.
Humidity: Orchids like a humid environment, but not too humid, otherwise it is easy to cause disease. In general, it is most appropriate to keep the air humidity between 70% and 80%.
Light: Orchids need plenty of light, but not direct exposure to sunlight. It is best to place it in a place where there is scattered light, such as by a window or in the shade of a tree.
Ventilation: Good ventilation conditions are an important guarantee for the healthy growth of orchids. Regular window ventilation can keep the air fresh and reduce the occurrence of diseases.
The Steps Of Growing Orchids From The Flower Stem
When we find that the stems of orchids have fallen, do not be too quick to cut off the branches. Because from these branches, we can continue to breed many small orchids. Below, we will describe in detail the steps of growing orchids from the flower stem.
1. Reserved Stem
Don’t be too quick to cut off the stems when the orchid’s flowers have faded. Because there may still be some bud spots left on the flower stem, these bud spots are the hope of new orchids in the future. Keep the stems and wait for them to dry naturally before handling them.
2. Treated Flower Stem
When the stems have dried up, we can cut them from the plant. Before cutting the flower stem, you need to look carefully at the bottom of it for bud spots. If there are bud spots, then we can try to grow orchids from the flower stem.
When handling flower stems, it is necessary to use sharp scissors or blades to trim the bottom flat to better insert into the substrate. At the same time, be careful not to hurt the bud point, so as not to affect its germination.
3. Substrate Preparation
Growing orchids requires selecting the right substrate. In general, orchids prefer a loose, breathable, well-drained substrate. Commonly used substrates are perlite, coconut husk, leaf soil and so on. These substrates can be mixed together to make a hybrid substrate suitable for orchid growth.
4. Plant Flower Stems
Insert the treated flower stems into the prepared substrate. The depth of insertion should be moderate, and it is generally appropriate to expose the bud point to the substrate surface. After insertion, the substrate is gently compacted to bind it tightly to the flower stem.
5. Watering And Moisturizing
After planting the flower stems, water them immediately. When watering, be careful not to water too much, so as not to cause disease because the substrate is too wet. At the same time, to keep the surface of the substrate wet, you can use a sprayer to regularly spray water to the surface of the substrate to moisturize.
6. Light And Ventilation
Place the planted orchid in an area with scattered light, away from direct sunlight. At the same time, it is necessary to maintain good ventilation and regularly open Windows for ventilation.
7. Awaiting Germination
After planting the flower stems, it is necessary to wait patiently for new buds to sprout. Generally speaking, it takes a certain amount of time for orchids to sprout new buds from the flower stem, and the specific time varies according to the orchid species and the growing environment. During the waiting period, the substrate should be kept moist and well lit to provide suitable growing conditions for the orchid.
Migration And Management
When the orchid sprouts from the stem and develops a root system, we can transplant it into a new pot for management. Care should be taken not to damage the roots and leaves, while keeping the substrate moist and well lit. During the management period, it is necessary to regularly fertilize, water and trim the leaves to maintain the healthy growth of the orchid.
Orchid Planting Precautions
In the process of growing orchids, we need to pay attention to the following points:
1. Select The Appropriate Substrate
As mentioned earlier, orchids prefer a loose, breathable, well-drained substrate. Therefore, when selecting the substrate, its permeability and water drainage should be fully considered. At the same time, pay attention to the pH of the substrate and avoid using too acidic or alkaline substrates.
2. Maintain Proper Temperature And Humidity
Orchids are very strict about temperature and humidity. When planting orchids, it is necessary to maintain appropriate temperature and humidity conditions to avoid adverse effects on orchids caused by too high or too low temperature and too large or too small humidity.
3. Rational Fertilization
Orchids need adequate nutrient support during their growth. Therefore, when planting orchids, it is necessary to apply fertilizer reasonably and provide sufficient nutrients for them. In general, mature organic fertilizer or compound fertilizer can be used for fertilization, but pay attention to the concentration and frequency of fertilization to avoid adverse effects on orchids from excessive or insufficient fertilization.
4. Trim Leaves Regularly
Orchid leaves are prone to accumulation of dust and bacteria, so it is necessary to regularly trim the leaves to maintain their healthy growth. When pruning leaves, care should be taken not to damage the veins and edges of the leaves, so as not to affect their photosynthesis and nutrient absorption.
5. Pest Control
Orchids are vulnerable to pests and diseases as they grow. Therefore, when planting orchids, it is necessary to strengthen the prevention and control of diseases and pests, and regularly spray insecticides and fungicides for prevention and treatment. At the same time, it is necessary to keep the orchid well ventilated and sufficient light to reduce the incidence of diseases and pests.
Conclusion
Growing orchids from their stems is a fun and challenging activity. With the right planting techniques and management methods, orchids can regenerate from their stems and blossom into new flowers of life. In this process, we can not only appreciate the beautiful posture and fragrance of orchids, but also experience the fun and sense of accomplishment of growing orchids. I hope this article can provide some useful reference and enlightenment for orchid lovers.
