How to grow Dendrobium officinale

Cultivation method of Dendrobium officinale

Pot soil selection

Choose flower pots of different sizes according to the size of the Dendrobium officinale seedlings, but it is not advisable to use large pots to plant small seedlings. The relevant cultivation materials must be soaked in clean water for more than 1 day before use.

Place more large tiles or broken bricks at the bottom of the pot, about 1/3 of the depth. Then place the orchid seedling in the center of the pot, and insert a thin bamboo pole on the side to fix the orchid seedling. Then fill in other planting materials, making sure to separate the roots with materials.

Humidity and temperature

Within one week after transplanting (the seedlings have not yet grown new roots), the air humidity should be kept at around 90%. After one week, the plants begin to grow new roots and the air humidity can be kept at 70%-80%. Alternating dry and wet conditions in the planting bed is beneficial to rooting and sprouting.

Avoid direct sunlight. Sunlight can be seen in the morning in spring and autumn. It can be placed in a place with sufficient light in winter. At other times, it should be placed in a place with bright scattered light and good ventilation. The wintering temperature can be kept at 8-10℃.

Water and fertilizer management

In the early stage of planting, place it in a cool place with scattered light, only spray some water on the leaves, and do not water the pot. After about 10-15 days, wait for new roots to sprout and move it under a shade shed for maintenance. Water once a day during the peak growth period. During the dry season and hot summer, spray water on the ground around the flowerpot frequently to maintain a high air humidity and pay attention to good ventilation. Water less during the winter dormancy period, and water frequently to retain moisture if the air humidity is too low in the later period.

Since Dendrobiums have aerial roots, appropriate foliar fertilizers should be sprayed as nutrient solution. Foliar fertilizers can be potassium nitrate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, imported ternary compound fertilizer and diluted MS culture medium. Generally, one week after transplanting, when new roots of the plants appear, start spraying 1/1000 potassium nitrate or potassium dihydrogen phosphate, once every 7-10 days, and spray three times in a row. After new shoots grow, spray 3‰ of triple compound fertilizer every 10-15 days.

Precautions for keeping Dendrobium officinale at home

prune

The density of the habitat where Dendrobium grows is about 60%, so the epiphytic trees should be pruned regularly to avoid excessive shade or insufficient density. When new growth begins before spring each year, the dead stems in the clump are cut off in combination with the harvesting of old stems, and the diseased stems, weak stems and diseased roots are removed. After planting for 6-8 years, the clumps are turned over and re-branched and propagated depending on their growth.

Pests and diseases

Common diseases of Dendrobium officinale: black spot, anthracnose, sooty mold

Common pests of Dendrobium officinale: Philippine shield scale, snails