How to grow orchids using the dry method

Selection of pots for dry orchid cultivation

Pots generally include clay pots, ceramic pots, wooden pots, plastic pots, etc., especially waist-drum-shaped clay pots and ceramic pots are ideal. They have good air permeability and strong water absorption, and are very suitable for dry-method orchid cultivation.

The orchid pot is required to have drainage holes at the bottom and ventilation holes on the sides. If these requirements are not met, appropriate processing can be carried out.

The size of the pot can be determined according to the size of the orchid. Avoid using large pots for small orchids or using large pots for weak orchids. The choice of planting materials is the key to successful orchid cultivation.

Selection of potting soil for dry orchid cultivation

Generally, the dry method of growing orchids mostly uses humus soil taken from the deep mountains and valleys where orchids grow, and then adds appropriate amounts of bark, granular burnt soil, foam plastic particles, etc. for appropriate modification. This kind of planting material is rich in humus, slightly acidic, loose and breathable, which is very suitable for orchid growth.

Before potting, first air the planting material or sterilize it with steam, use sieves with different sieve sizes to separate it into coarse particles, medium particles, and fine particles, and store them separately. The powdered soil should be discarded.

Specific steps for dry method of orchid cultivation

When potting, first fill the bottom of the pot with a mixture of broken tiles and foam blocks as a drainage layer, which mainly serves the purpose of drainage and ventilation. This layer accounts for about one-fifth of the height of the pot.

Then add a layer of coarse-grained planting material, and you can also add a small amount of fermented sheep manure particles as base fertilizer. This layer is the base layer, which mainly plays the role of filtering water, ventilation, and nutrition, and occupies about a quarter of the height of the pot.

Carefully place the trimmed, disinfected and dried orchid into the orchid pot, straighten the orchid roots, support the orchid plant with your left hand to keep it in the ideal planting position, and gradually add medium-grained planting material with your right hand. When a certain amount of planting material has been added, gently lift the orchid plant, gently shake the orchid pot, and then gently press it with your hands to ensure that the orchid roots are in full contact with the planting material to prevent gaps between the orchid roots that cause empty roots. Then continue to add planting material to the pseudobulb and shake the orchid pot again to make the planting material densely filled.

This layer is the nutrient layer, which is the main place for orchid roots to grow and the main place for orchids to absorb nutrients. Its thickness is about half of the height of the pot. Of course, its thickness should be adjusted according to the different types of orchids.

Then add fine planting material until it covers two-thirds of the pseudobulb, and gently compact it to make it into a bun shape. This layer is the covering layer.

In order to prevent the fine planting materials from being washed away by water or muddy water splashing into the heart of the orchid when watering, an appropriate water-retaining protective layer should be added on this layer. Generally, this layer is made of coarse-grained hard planting materials, such as granular burnt earth, orchid stone, planting gold stone, and even colorful stone.

Then water it to help it take root and place it in a cool, ventilated place for care.

Late management of dry orchid cultivation

When it comes to watering, emphasize watering when the soil is dry and make sure to water thoroughly.

Water less in winter, about once every half a month to a month.

As the temperature gradually rises and the air becomes drier in spring, you can increase the water supply appropriately, generally once a week or so.

From midsummer to early autumn, the temperature is high and orchids have a great demand for water, so water them about once every 3-5 days.

From mid-autumn to early winter, there is a big temperature difference between morning and evening and the air is relatively dry, so water the plants about once every seven weeks.

On rainy days, you can reduce watering appropriately. Generally, you should repeat watering several times and apply small amounts of water in a spiral shape along the edge of the pot until it is thoroughly watered. You can also use pot immersion, but only immerse one pot at a time. Pour out the water, replace it with new water and then immerse another pot. Pay attention to prevent cross-infection of diseases.

Because the planting material contains rich nutrients, and orchids grow relatively slowly, their demand for nutrients is not as great as other plants. Therefore, the general dry method of orchid cultivation recommends using light and thin fertilizers, about once a month, to prevent fertilizer damage. It is best not to fertilize weak orchids or sick orchids.