Cultivation methods and precautions of rabbit ear orchid

How to propagate rabbit ear orchid

Propagation by division

The best breeding season for rabbit ear orchid is spring and autumn, and it is suitable to divide the plant every three years. For division, you need to select plants that are strong and have dense pseudobulbs, and ensure that at least every five pseudobulbs are connected together after division. Before operation, you need to reduce watering and ensure that the soil in the pot is dry.

When potting, first cover the bottom of the pot with a layer of broken tiles, then lay a layer of coarse gravel on top, about 1/5 or 1/4 of the depth of the pot, then add coarse-grained soil and a small amount of fine soil, and finally use sandy soil rich in humus to cultivate the divided plants. The depth should be such that the pseudobulbs just submerge into the soil. Cover the surface with fine gravel or cloud grass and then water. Place it in a cool place for 10-15 days and maintain a moist soil environment.

Seed propagation

The seeds of the rabbit tail orchid are extremely small, and the embryo inside the seeds is not fully developed, so the germination rate and survival rate are extremely low. Moreover, the seed coat has a poor ability to absorb water, and conventional methods often fail to germinate. Artificial culture media and orchid fungi are needed to complete the nutrient supply and enable germination.

It is recommended to choose unopened rabbit tail orchid fruits, disinfect the surface with alcohol and then remove the seeds. Then soak the seeds in 10% sodium hypochlorite for 5-10 minutes, then rinse three times with sterile water and place them in the culture medium. The temperature is 25℃. After germination, put it under light to grow into a protocorm. The whole process takes about six months to a year.

Precautions for breeding rabbit ear orchid

Ecological habits

Rabbit ear orchid likes shade and moisture, and should avoid direct sunlight and dryness. The suitable growth temperature is 15℃ to 30℃. It will be frozen below 5℃ and above 35℃ is not conducive to growth.

Pests and diseases

During the rainy season, rabbit ear orchid is infected with white rot, which can cause root and rhizome rot. At this time, it is necessary to remove the fungus in the soil, sprinkle lime on it, and then place it in a ventilated place.

Secondly, anthracnose will surround the rabbit ear orchid all year round. The lesions appear as dry black spots, and in severe cases, it can cause the death of the entire plant. In this case, you can choose to spray a wettable powder, such as methyl thiophanate, once a week or so, and then spray Bordeaux solution once every 15 days or so. Spray three to five times in a row and you will see good results.

Finally, pay attention to the prevention and control of scale insects. Once discovered, measures must be taken immediately. The fastest way is to remove them manually or spray them with omethoate emulsifiable concentrate, with the concentration of mixed water being 1500 times.