Cultivation methods and precautions of Molan

1. Soil

The soil for growing Mo Lan should be rich in humus, slightly acidic, loose and breathable, and good at retaining water and fertilizer. For example: leaf mold in the forest, coarse sand in the river, rotten bark, broken bricks, rice husks, sphagnum moss, edible fungus waste, etc.

2. Flowerpot

Commonly used orchid planting pots include: clay pots, ceramic pots, glazed pots, and plastic pots, which are suitable for balconies, roofs, and indoors.

However, most orchids are grown at home for ornamental purposes, so it is best to use a purple clay pot or a plastic pot. The purple clay pots specially used for orchids are mostly in the shape of high-legged trumpets, with porous bottom edges, which are hydrophobic and breathable, and have unique shapes. Plastic pots are deep, porous, light, neat, inexpensive, easy to move, and reduce pressure on the floor.

3. Lighting

Mo Lan prefers a semi-shaded environment. The sunlight is weak in winter and soft in spring, which is suitable for the growth of Mo Lan. It can get sunlight all day. The sun is strong in summer and autumn and needs appropriate shade. You can place the orchid pot under the eaves, and only expose it to light in the morning or evening, and not after 9 am.

4. Temperature

The temperature for orchids to take root, germinate and grow normally is between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius. When the temperature is below 20 degrees Celsius, the growth is slow. When the temperature is above 25 degrees Celsius, the growth is rapid. When the temperature is above 30 degrees Celsius, the orchid will enter a dormant state.

In winter, the daytime temperature is 10℃~16℃ and the night temperature is 5℃~10℃, and Mo Lan can hibernate normally. If you raise orchids indoors during the winter at home, they can safely survive the cold weather in winter and spring without taking any heating measures. If you overwinter in the leeward part of a courtyard or balcony, you can build a temporary greenhouse with plastic film.

5. Fertilization

It is better to apply light fertilizer to Mo Lan, rather than heavy fertilizer. It usually starts in late spring and stops in late autumn.

Fertilizer can be applied when the temperature is between 18 and 25 degrees Celsius, once every 20 days. Spray a small amount of water after fertilizing to prevent the fertilizer from contaminating the leaves.

6. Notes

1. Avoid sunlight. Mo Lan can be placed on the east-facing, south-facing, or west-facing balconies for management. The cultivation effect on the east-facing and west-facing balconies is better. On the south-facing balcony, places with excessive sunlight should be avoided. Because the black orchid is of moderate height, it can be placed anywhere.

2. Repot in time. There is a limit to the appreciation of orchids. The best time to appreciate them is 5 to 7 years after planting. If they are not repotted, their ornamental value will decrease after 2 years, so it is necessary to repot and change the soil in time.