Cultivation methods and precautions of spotted tongue orchid

How to cultivate the spotted tongue orchid

Potting

The time for potting (or repotting) the spotted tongue orchid is generally in spring, March or April. It is best to use a flowerpot with a small mouth, deep pot and large bottom holes. Wild seedlings newly dug from the mountains need to be planted in clay pots, so that the orchid mud is easy to dry, has good ventilation, and is easy to take root; they can be changed to purple clay pots or porcelain pots after 2-3 years.

The method of planting orchids (in pots) is different from that of general flowers, especially for famous varieties of orchids. The roots must be washed when replanting and transplanting. The method is: soak the roots in clean water, gently wash them with an old toothbrush or brush, do not use too much force to prevent damage to the root system; the medicine should be carefully trimmed, and then pay attention to the ventilation effect of the environment.

1. Potting method 1: After preparing the orchid pot and plant, hold the orchid upside down (roots on top, leaves on the bottom) and place it under the faucet to rinse with slow water. The water pressure should be gentle to avoid damaging the orchid roots and leaves. Grasp the orchid head with your thumb and index finger, press your little finger against the edge of the pot, and use bamboo chopsticks to secure the roots. When placing it in the pot, try not to let the roots touch the pot wall. Pour bean-sized mixed gravel into the bottom of the pot to one-third of the height. Then pull out the bamboo chopsticks and shake the plants in the pot firmly.

2. Potting method 2: Pay attention to the drainage of the bottom of the pot. Fill the clay pot with broken tiles, and the bottom of the purple clay pot must be covered with perforated nylon gauze. Before planting, spread coarse stones in the pot, occupying about 2/5 of the depth of the pot, and add coarse stone culture soil, 3-5 cm thick, and then put in the orchid. When potting, make sure the roots spread out and do not curl. When planting famous varieties of orchids, be sure to move the old grass to the side and place the new grass in the center, leaving room for the new grass to grow.

Be careful when watering

The first watering of flower plants after planting is called "rooting water". The rooting water must be sufficient and thorough. Generally, you need to water the plant twice in a row after potting it. After you see water flowing out of the holes at the bottom of the pot during the first watering, water it again.

The watering method should be spraying, which can not only increase the air humidity but also wash away the dust on the leaves. However, for flowers with fuzzy leaves or in bloom, spraying is not suitable. Instead, the entire flower pot should be placed in a basin of water so that the water does not flood the pot mouth. Use the holes in the bottom of the pot to seep water and keep the soil moist. At the same time, pay attention to the water temperature, which should be controlled at around 15°.

Watering is usually done in the early morning or evening. Water thoroughly and avoid watering only halfway.

Fertilization method of eating small and frequent meals

Farmyard manure is a very good organic fertilizer, but it must be piled up and decomposed for more than a year before it can be used. This fertilizer liquid can be mixed with 10-20 times the amount of water and applied at the edge of the pot as much as possible, without touching the roots or the orchid leaves.

Fertilization is mainly done by foliar spraying, which can supplement the nutrients of the orchid through the orchid leaves and will not allow the fertilizer to contact the roots and cause fertilizer damage. It is the best way to fertilize orchids.

As long as you spray fertilizer on the leaves every 10 days or so during the growth and development period, you can grow orchids well without fertilizing the pots. You can use 1:1000 potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 1:1000 boron fertilizer, or aloe vera liquid. Aloe vera liquid is not only nutritious, but also can effectively prevent disease and insect invasion.

Fertilize frequently and thinly, in small amounts and frequently: Orchids do not require much fertilizer during their development and growth period. For vigorous and healthy orchid plants, apply thin liquid fertilizer every 10-15 days.

Things to note when growing spotted tongue orchid

Avoid direct sunlight

When caring for and planting the spotted tongue orchid, you should pay attention to sufficient light and air circulation, and avoid direct sunlight to avoid burns.

Eating small and frequent meals is not wrong

When fertilizing the spotted tongue orchid, it is not advisable to apply too much fertilizer at one time to avoid excessive nutrition, which is not conducive to the growth of the plant.