How to cultivate ground lotus?

The ground orchid gives people a feeling of magnificence. Its flowers are golden yellow. This flower not only has ornamental value, but also has good medicinal value. So how to cultivate the ground orchid? Let’s take a look below.

1. Lighting conditions

Ground lily likes light, but avoids direct sunlight in summer. When planting, choose a location that gets plenty of light but isn’t exposed to strong direct sunlight. When planting outdoors, you can choose a semi-shaded or diffused light environment; when planting indoors, you should place it in a brightly lit place, but avoid direct sunlight. At the same time, it should be noted that the ground orchid requires sufficient photosynthesis during its growth process. Therefore, in the case of insufficient light, artificial light can be added to supplement the light.

2. Temperature requirements

The ground orchid is native to southern China, such as Yunnan. It is not cold-resistant and prefers a warm and humid climate. During the planting process, the plants should be protected from frost damage and the temperature should be maintained at a suitable level. Generally speaking, the winter temperature of ground orchid should not be lower than 5℃, and the growth temperature should be above 15℃. It is best to cultivate it in a greenhouse in northern regions, and the overwintering temperature should not be lower than 1℃. During the high temperatures of summer, to avoid damage to the plants due to excessive temperatures, attention should be paid to ventilation and cooling.

3. Soil Selection

Ground nasturtium prefers well-drained, fertile and loose soil. Before planting, suitable soil should be selected and prepared. You can use a mixture of peat soil, perlite and vermiculite to improve the soil's air permeability and water retention. At the same time, the pH value of the soil should be maintained between 5.5-6.5 to facilitate the growth of ground orchid. During the planting process, the soil needs to be loosened and weeded regularly to keep the soil loose and tidy.

4. Water Management

Ground orchid does not like waterlogging, but needs sufficient water. When watering, you should follow the principle of "water when dry and water when wet", that is, avoid long-term moisture which causes root rot, and wait until the soil surface is dry before watering. During the high temperatures in summer, keep the soil moist and increase the frequency of watering; during the rainy season, avoid excessive water accumulation and pay attention to drainage. At the same time, you can spray water on the leaves of the plant regularly to increase the air humidity.

5. Fertilization Tips

Ground orchid needs sufficient nutrients to grow and bloom normally. When applying fertilizer, you should follow the principle of "applying small amounts of fertilizer frequently", that is, avoid excessive concentrations that may cause root burns, and apply fertilizer in small amounts each time. You can choose organic fertilizer or compound fertilizer for fertilization, and apply it once a month. During the peak growth period, the frequency and concentration of fertilization can be increased appropriately to promote plant growth and flowering.

To sum up, the planting environment is crucial to the growth and flowering of ground orchid. Only by providing suitable light, temperature, soil, water and fertilizer conditions can the ground orchid thrive and bloom beautiful flowers at home or in the garden.