Songmei cultivation methods and precautions

How to cultivate Songmei

Pot soil selection

Growing orchids is a delicate job, and choosing the right potting soil is very important. As for pots, if your financial conditions allow, you can actually choose better pots. The pots should not be too big, but they must ensure that the roots can stretch. New pots need to be soaked, and old pots need to be disinfected before use. As for the soil, you can use a variety of planting materials to make the soil rich in humus and have better drainage, and it is best if the soil is slightly acidic.

Light and temperature

Songmei prefers a semi-shaded growing environment, with scattered light being preferred, and avoids direct sunlight. During the growth period of Songmei, the light must be sufficient. Too weak or too strong light will have an adverse effect on the growth of the plant. The suitable growth temperature for Songmei is between 20℃ and 30℃. If the temperature is too low in winter, it is necessary to keep warm or place the Songmei in a sunny place indoors for maintenance. When the summer sun is strong and the temperature is too high, ventilation and cooling are necessary. You can use a sunshade net to block most of the sunlight.

Watering and fertilizing

The watering of Songmei mainly depends on the size of the flowerpot, the growth conditions of the plant, ventilation conditions, and temperature. Watering depends on whether the plant is short of water. When the soil is dry, water it thoroughly. The water temperature should be similar to the air temperature, especially in summer and winter. Songmei requires frequent application of thin fertilizers. A certain amount of base fertilizer needs to be applied when planting, and topdressing should be done during the growth period. In order to make the leaves grow beautifully, some foliar fertilizer should also be applied. However, no fertilizer is generally applied during the dormant period in winter and when the Songmei is in bloom.

Songmei cultivation precautions

Repotting

As the Songmei grows, the root system becomes stronger, the number of nodes increases, and the soil loses fertility and needs to be repotted. Generally, repotting is done every 2 to 3 years, and division can be used for propagation at the same time.

Reproduction method

The main method of reproduction of Songmei is division. It can also be reproduced by sowing and tissue culture, but it requires a longer period of time.

Pests and diseases

During the growth process, Songmei may suffer from diseases such as mildew, white rot, black spot and anthracnose, as well as pests such as scale insects. It is necessary to take preventive and therapeutic measures according to the condition of the disease.