A processing method for preparing phalaenopsis planting substrate by using traditional Chinese medicine residues

Abstract

This invention discloses a processing method for preparing Phalaenopsis orchid planting substrate using traditional Chinese medicine residue, belonging to the field of horticultural cultivation technology. The method includes: selecting mild-natured traditional Chinese medicine residue as raw material; performing a two-stage compound composting process: high-temperature aerobic fermentation at 55-65℃ for 45-60 days and light-protected aging for 20-30 days; sieving to obtain basic particles with a particle size of 0.5-1.25 cm; soaking twice with 5 times the amount of water, 24 hours each time, to enhance desalination, controlling the substrate EC value to ≤2.0 mS / cm; finally adding 1-2% citric acid to adjust the pH to 5.5-6.5. This invention completely solves the problems of high salt content, easy root burn, and poor structure of traditional traditional Chinese medicine residue substrates. The substrate cost is less than 2% of traditional sphagnum moss, the Phalaenopsis orchid root rot rate is only 2.3%, the number of flower stalk branches is significantly better than sphagnum moss and bark, the flowering rate reaches 95.2%, and it also has a slow-release nutrient function, achieving 100% resource utilization and high-value utilization of traditional Chinese medicine residue.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of horticultural cultivation technology, and in particular to a processing method for preparing Phalaenopsis orchid planting substrate using Chinese medicinal herb residue. Background Technology

[0002] This invention relates to the field of flower planting substrate preparation technology, specifically to a processing method for preparing Phalaenopsis orchid planting substrate using traditional Chinese medicine residue, belonging to the interdisciplinary field of organic waste resource utilization and horticultural cultivation.

[0003] Phalaenopsis aphrodite, as a high-end ornamental flower, has stringent requirements for the physical structure and chemical properties of its cultivation substrate due to its aerial roots. Its root system requires active gas exchange and respiration, and is extremely sensitive to salinity. An ideal substrate must possess the following characteristics: ① Loose and breathable, with a porosity between 20% and 35% to ensure adequate oxygen supply to the roots; ② Water and fertilizer retention, with a total porosity of 60% to maintain a moist microenvironment around the roots between waterings; ③ A stable pH value within a slightly acidic range of 5.5-6.5 to facilitate the effective absorption of nutrients (especially trace elements such as iron and manganese); ④ Low electrical conductivity (EC value), ≤2.0 mS / cm, as high salinity can cause osmotic pressure imbalance in root cells, leading to physiological drought or even root necrosis; ⑤ Free from pest and disease residues and uncomposted organic matter to prevent secondary fermentation during cultivation, which can generate high temperatures and toxic gases.

[0004] Currently, commercial Phalaenopsis orchid cultivation substrates mainly rely on raw materials such as sphagnum moss and bark (primarily pine bark). However, these traditional substrates have significant problems: sphagnum moss, as a non-renewable natural resource, has been severely damaged by over-exploitation due to its high-altitude wetland ecosystems, and its resources are increasingly depleted, with prices rising year by year. The source of bark is affected by forestry policies and international market supply chains, resulting in drastic fluctuations in quality and price. Especially for specific formulations or varieties, there is still a high dependence on imports, significantly increasing production costs and operational risks for companies. Therefore, finding a widely available, low-cost, high-performance, and eco-friendly alternative substrate is an urgent need for the green and sustainable development of the Phalaenopsis orchid industry.

[0005] As a major country in traditional Chinese medicine, my country generates over 1.5 million tons of waste medicinal herb residue annually (wet weight). This residue is the remainder after extracting the active ingredients from medicinal plants through boiling. It is rich in plant-derived cellulose, lignin, polysaccharides, and minerals such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, representing a highly promising organic resource. However, currently, the resource utilization rate of medicinal herb residue is less than 30%, with large quantities being landfilled or incinerated. This not only results in a huge waste of organic resources but also causes secondary pollution of soil, water, and air due to landfill leachate and incineration smoke.

[0006] While there have been attempts to use traditional Chinese medicine residues to prepare greening substrates or crop seedling substrates in existing technologies, due to the special physiological needs of Phalaenopsis orchids, directly or simply decomposed traditional Chinese medicine residue substrates have four major fatal flaws, the mechanisms of which are as follows: 1) Salt toxicity problem: Salt-containing excipients are often introduced during the processing and decoction of traditional Chinese medicine, and the mineralization of organic matter during fermentation further releases and concentrates salt, resulting in the EC value of the substrate generally exceeding 5.0 mS / cm. The high-salt environment causes the osmotic pressure of root cells to be lower than that of the substrate environment, leading to water backflow and seepage from the roots, resulting in "physiological drought," which manifests as plant wilting, root shrinkage, and even death.

[0007] 2) Root burn problem during secondary fermentation: Conventional fermentation often involves a single high-temperature stage, resulting in incomplete decomposition and the retention of a large amount of easily decomposable organic matter. After irrigation, the microbial activity of such substrates surges, leading to secondary fermentation and generating heat exceeding 45°C in a short period, directly scorching sensitive root tip tissues; at the same time, it releases toxic gases such as ammonia, poisoning the root growth points.

[0008] 3) Imbalance in physicochemical structure: The unscreened medicinal residue matrix has uneven particle size distribution. Either too much fine powder leads to pore blockage and poor aeration, causing root hypoxia and suffocation; or too much large material results in extremely poor water retention, making it impossible to continuously supply water. It is impossible to accurately maintain the balance of the "solid-liquid-gas" ratio required by Phalaenopsis orchids.

[0009] 4) pH incompatibility: Most Chinese medicinal herb residues and their composting products are alkaline (pH 7.5-8.5). Under this pH environment, the availability of trace elements such as iron, zinc, and copper is significantly reduced, leading to nutrient deficiency-induced yellowing leaves, decreased photosynthetic efficiency, and weakened plant growth in Phalaenopsis orchids.

[0010] Therefore, how to overcome the four major technical barriers of salt content, decomposition degree, porosity and acidity through precise and targeted process design, and transform waste medicinal residue into a stable and high-performance substrate for Phalaenopsis orchids, is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The purpose of this invention is to provide a processing method for preparing Phalaenopsis orchid planting substrate using Chinese medicinal herb residue, so as to solve the problems of high salt content, easy root burn, poor structure and unsuitable pH in the existing Chinese medicinal herb residue substrate, and realize the high-value utilization of Chinese medicinal herb residue resources.

[0012] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A processing method for preparing Phalaenopsis orchid planting substrate using Chinese medicinal herb residue includes the following steps: (1) Raw material selection: Traditional Chinese medicine residues with mild medicinal properties and high fiber content are selected as raw materials. The preferred raw materials are one or more of the following: Eclipta prostrata, Ligustrum lucidum, Morus alba, Astragalus membranaceus, processed Polygonum multiflorum, Paeonia lactiflora, Bupleurum chinense, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Polygonum cuspidatum, Scutellaria barbata, Taraxacum mongolicum, and Patrinia scabiosaefolia. The raw materials must be free from mold and oil contamination. This step aims to screen low-salt, high-cellulose raw materials from the source, providing a material basis for the subsequent construction of an ideal porous structure.

[0013] (2) Two-stage compound fermentation and aging: The medicinal residue selected in step (1) is first subjected to high-temperature aerobic fermentation, with the fermentation temperature controlled at 55-65℃ and the fermentation time at 45-60 days. During this process, the metabolic activities of the aerobic thermophilic microbial community are used to rapidly decompose easily degradable organic matter and transform it into stable humic precursors. During fermentation, the pile needs to be turned regularly and the material temperature needs to be monitored to ensure that the material is uniformly in the high-temperature range until the material turns dark brown, has a loose texture without lumps, and has no pungent odor. This high-temperature stage can effectively kill bacteria, insect eggs, and weed seeds.

[0014] Subsequently, the decomposed material is transferred to an aging chamber and placed in a well-ventilated, dark natural environment for aging for 20-30 days. Aging is a "post-fermentation" process following fermentation. Low-temperature anaerobic or facultative anaerobic microorganisms such as actinomycetes and fungi slowly degrade lignin, cellulose, and other substances that are difficult to decompose, and synthesize more stable macromolecules such as humic acid. This stabilizes the physical and chemical properties of the substrate, completely eliminates the latent heat risk of secondary fermentation, and forms an ideal granular structure.

[0015] (3) Screening and grading: The aged material is fed into a vibrating screen and accurately graded by passing through double-layer screens with apertures of 0.5cm and 1.25cm respectively.

[0016] Large particles with a diameter greater than 1.25 cm, which are trapped by the upper screen, are transferred to a crusher for re-crushing and then screened again.

[0017] Fine powder materials with a particle size of <0.5cm, that is, those that pass through the lower sieve, are collected separately for other uses.

[0018] Particles with a diameter between 0.5 cm and 1.25 cm were selected as the base material for the Phalaenopsis orchid substrate. The accumulation of particles within this size range can naturally form a large number of uniformly sized aggregates with large pores (aeration pores) and micropores (water-holding pores) within the aggregates, which is the key physical guarantee for achieving a long-term balance between aeration and water retention.

[0019] (4) Soaking and Desalination: The matrix base material screened in step (3) is sent to the rinsing and desalination device and desalinated by soaking in water. The soaking intensity is controlled at 5 times the volume or mass of the matrix base material, the soaking time is 24 hours, and the soaking is repeated twice. During the soaking process, the material is continuously stirred mechanically or by air to accelerate the dissolution and diffusion of salt in the aqueous phase. After soaking, the material is drained and air-dried or hot-air dried until the moisture content is 15% to 20%. Then the matrix conductivity EC value is tested to ensure that the EC value is ≤2.0 mS / cm. If the standard is not met in one cycle, the rinsing and desalination steps are repeated until the standard is met.

[0020] (5) Finished product preparation: Add an acid regulator to the substrate base material after rinsing, desalting and drying in step (4). The acid regulator is citric acid, and the amount added is 1% to 2% of the dry weight of the substrate base material. Stir thoroughly to adjust the pH value of the substrate to 5.5 to 6.5. The finished Phalaenopsis orchid planting substrate is then obtained.

[0021] Furthermore, in step (1), the use of highly toxic dregs such as Aconitum carmichaelii, salted Aconitum carmichaelii, Aconitum kusnezoffii, and Aconitum kusnezoffii, or those with excessive salt added during processing, should be avoided.

[0022] Furthermore, in step (5), a structural modifier can be selectively added as needed. The structural modifier is vermiculite, and the amount added is 5% to 10% of the dry weight of the matrix base material, so as to further optimize the air porosity of the matrix.

[0023] Furthermore, in step (4), the water source used for soaking and desalination can be replaced with recycled water that meets irrigation standards.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following significant advancements and technical effects: 1. Revolutionary reduction in substrate cost and complete waste disposal: This invention uses waste Chinese medicinal herb residue as the sole raw material, resulting in extremely low raw material costs. The cost of the finished substrate is only 3-4 yuan / kg, a reduction of over 98% compared to traditional sphagnum moss substrate (approximately 300-350 yuan / kg in 2025). Simultaneously, it achieves 100% resource utilization of the Chinese medicinal herb residue, solving the environmental pollution problem at its source and aligning with the concept of a circular economy.

[0025] 2. Overcoming the technical bottleneck of salt toxicity and ensuring root health: This invention utilizes an enhanced soaking desalination process with "5 times the water volume, 2 soakings, 24 hours each time," employing the diffusion principle to efficiently dissolve the high-concentration salt within the material into the low-concentration aqueous phase. This successfully reduced the substrate's EC value from >5.0 mS / cm to below 2.0 mS / cm, fully meeting the tolerance threshold for Phalaenopsis orchids. Comparative experiments show that Phalaenopsis orchids using the desalinated substrate of this invention exhibited a root rot rate of only 2.3%, while the root rot rate of orchids using the undesalinated substrate reached as high as 45.6%, demonstrating extremely significant desalination and root protection effects.

[0026] 3. Solves the problem of root burn from secondary fermentation, ensuring stable substrate properties: This invention features a unique two-stage composting process: "high-temperature aerobic fermentation (55-65℃, 45-60 days) + aging (20-30 days)". The first stage of high-temperature fermentation rapidly decomposes most of the easily decomposable organic matter, while the second stage of aging promotes the complete mineralization and humification of the remaining organic matter, resulting in permanent stability of the substrate's biochemical properties. Experiments show that the substrate of this invention, under constant temperature and humidity cultivation for 30 days, showed no temperature rebound, while ordinary single-fermentation medicinal residue substrates exhibited secondary fermentation on the third day after thorough watering, with a peak temperature reaching 48.2℃, posing an extremely high risk of root burn.

[0027] 4. Precisely controlled physicochemical properties to suit Phalaenopsis orchid preferences: This invention achieves targeted construction of the substrate's physicochemical properties through the coupled control of "0.5-1.25cm particle size screening" and "precise pH adjustment." The particle packing within this size range naturally balances aeration and water retention, achieving a total porosity of 65-70%, an aeration porosity of 25-30%, and a water retention rate of 60-65%. Combined with the acidification effect of 1-2% citric acid, the pH is stabilized within the optimal range of 5.5-6.5. Comparative data shows that Phalaenopsis orchids planted in the substrate of this invention exhibit 28.7% more root growth (measured by the number of root tips) compared to traditional bark substrates, effectively enhancing the plant's ability to absorb water and nutrients.

[0028] 5. Significantly enhances the ornamental and economic value of Phalaenopsis orchids: The substrate of this invention is rich in humic acid, amino acids, and trace elements, and also has a slow-release nutrient function. The overall effect is a significant promotion of flower bud differentiation and flower branch development. Experimental data shows that the flowering rate of Phalaenopsis orchids planted in the substrate of this invention reaches 95.2%, significantly higher than that of sphagnum moss substrate (87.5%) and bark substrate (75.0%). In particular, in the "Pink Lady" variety, the average number of flower stalk branches reaches 2.2, significantly higher than that of sphagnum moss (1.2) and pine bark (1.4), greatly improving the quality and premium value of commercial flowers. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 These are photographic comparisons of the effects of different substrates on the growth status of Phalaenopsis cultivar 1 in this invention. Figure 2 This is a comparison diagram of the effects of different substrates on the height of Phalaenopsis orchid spikes in this invention; Figure 3 This is a comparison diagram of the effects of different substrates on the number of Phalaenopsis orchid flowers in this invention; Figure 4 This is a comparison diagram of the effects of different substrates on the number of Phalaenopsis orchid spikes in this invention; Figure 5 This is a comparison diagram showing the effects of different substrates on the branching of Phalaenopsis orchids in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with existing known technologies. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0031] Example 1. A processing method for preparing Phalaenopsis orchid planting substrate using Chinese medicinal herb residue, the steps of which are as follows: (1) Select the residue of Eclipta prostrata from a single source, remove impurities, and use it as raw material.

[0032] (2) Put the raw materials into the fermentation tank, force ventilation and carry out high-temperature aerobic fermentation, control the temperature at the center of the pile at 55℃~60℃, and ferment for 60 days. Turn the pile over every 5 days during the period. After fermentation, the material is dark brown and odorless. Transfer the material to the aging chamber and age it for 20 days in a dark and ventilated place.

[0033] (3) The aged material is graded by a vibrating screen, and particles with a diameter of 0.5cm to 1.25cm are collected. The material with a diameter >1.25cm is crushed and reused, and the fine powder with a diameter <0.5cm is stored separately.

[0034] (4) Place the screened base material in a rinsing tank, add 5 times the volume of clean water, stir and soak for 24 hours, then drain. Repeat the soaking process twice. After draining, dry with hot air until the moisture content is 18%. The EC value was measured to be 1.2 mS / cm.

[0035] (5) Add 1% of the dry weight of citric acid powder to the dried material, stir thoroughly and mix evenly, and measure the pH value of the matrix to be 6.5. The finished matrix A is obtained.

[0036] Example 2. A processing method for preparing Phalaenopsis orchid planting substrate using Chinese medicinal herb residue, the steps of which are as follows: (1) Select the compound raw materials by mixing Astragalus membranaceus residue and mulberry residue in a 1:1 mass ratio.

[0037] (2) The raw materials are subjected to high-temperature aerobic fermentation, with the temperature controlled at 60℃~65℃, for 45 days. After fermentation, the raw materials are transferred to an aging chamber and aged for 30 days until the material is black and shiny and has a loose texture.

[0038] (3) The aged material is graded by a vibrating screen to collect particles with a diameter of 0.5cm to 1.25cm.

[0039] (4) Soak the screened base material twice with 5 times its weight of water for 24 hours each time, while continuously aerating and stirring. After drying to a moisture content of 15%, sample and test the EC value to be 1.8 mS / cm.

[0040] (5) Add 1.5% of the dry weight of citric acid to the dried material, and add an additional 5% (based on the dry weight of the base material) of vermiculite (particle size 2-4 mm), mix well, and measure the pH value of the matrix to be 5.8. The finished matrix B is obtained.

[0041] Example 3. A processing method for preparing Phalaenopsis orchid planting substrate using Chinese medicinal herb residue, the steps of which are as follows: (1) Select a mixture of dandelion residue and patrinia scabiosifolia residue as raw materials.

[0042] (2) Control the fermentation temperature at 58℃~62℃ and ferment for 50 days. Then age for 25 days.

[0043] (3) Screening to obtain particles with an intermediate particle size of 0.5cm to 1.25cm.

[0044] (4) Soak twice with 5 times the amount of tap water, 24 hours each time. After drying, the EC value is 0.9 mS / cm.

[0045] (5) Add 2% citric acid to adjust the pH to 5.5. The finished matrix C is then obtained.

[0046] Comparative Example 1 (Undesalinated Control): The only difference from Example 1 is that the soaking and desalination process in step (4) was omitted. The screened residue particles were used directly, and 1% citric acid was added to adjust the pH as the finished product matrix D. The initial EC value of matrix D was measured to be 5.6 mS / cm.

[0047] Comparative Example 2 (Single Fermentation Control): The only difference from Example 1 is that step (2) is modified to: only 60 days of high-temperature aerobic fermentation is carried out, without the subsequent 20-day aging step. Everything else is exactly the same, and the finished product matrix E is obtained.

[0048] Comparative Example 3 (Particle Size Inappropriate Control): The only difference from Example 1 is that in step (3), all fine powder particles <0.5 cm were collected as the matrix base material. Everything else was exactly the same, and the finished matrix F was obtained.

[0049] Comparative Example 4 (Traditional Matrix Control): Imported Grade A Chilean sphagnum moss and domestically fermented and matured pine bark (particle size 1-1.5cm) were selected as traditional control matrices, denoted as Matrix G (sphagnum moss) and Matrix H (bark), respectively. Both were soaked and moistened according to standard methods before use.

[0050] Planting effect verification experiment 1: 1. The Influence of Different Substrates on the Height of Phalaenopsis Orchid Swords Reference Figure 1 The growth patterns of Phalaenopsis 1 planted in different substrates showed significant differences. (This was also observed with reference to...) Figure 2 The differences are obvious: Among the "Bird of Paradise" variety (variety 1), the plants planted in sphagnum moss substrate grew the fastest, with an average height of 47.7 cm after 150 days, which was significantly higher than that planted in bark substrate (37.5 cm) and medicinal residue substrate (39 cm for single stalks and 27.25 cm for double stalks).

[0051] The “Pink Lady” variety (variety 2) showed a more prominent increase in plant height in the sphagnum moss substrate, with a final average plant height of 45cm, which was not significantly different from that in the medicinal residue substrate (42.25cm) and (40.33cm). The flowering and growth stages of the medicinal residue substrate and the sphagnum moss substrate were basically the same, but the bark substrate group showed significantly slower growth and later flowering.

[0052] The “Hongyun Caishen” variety (variety 3) was also favored for plant height growth by both sphagnum moss substrate (55.25cm) and medicinal residue substrate (54.67cm). There was no significant difference in the height of fully grown plants. The average height of the pine bark substrate group was the lowest, but the pine bark group had uniform growth and all 5 plants flowered. In the medicinal residue group, 1 plant died and 1 plant had a late flower stalk growth. In the sphagnum moss group, 1 plant did not produce a flower stalk.

[0053] 2. The Influence of Different Substrates on the Number of Phalaenopsis Flowers Reference Figure 3 The differences are obvious: Variety 1: It has the most flowers in the medicinal residue substrate, averaging 13.8 flowers, slightly more than the bark substrate (12.6 flowers) and the medicinal residue substrate (13 flowers).

[0054] Variety 2: It had the most flowers in the sphagnum moss residue substrate, averaging 24.2 flowers, which was not significantly different from the residue substrate group (23.2 flowers) and was significantly more than the bark substrate group (15 flowers). The bark substrate group also showed significantly slower growth and later flowering.

[0055] Variety 3: The average number of flowers in the medicinal residue matrix group was 9, followed by the sphagnum moss matrix group (8.2 flowers), and the fewest was the bark matrix group (6 flowers).

[0056] 3. Effects of different substrates on the number of Phalaenopsis orchid spikes and branches Reference Figure 4 The difference in the number of foils can be observed: Variety 1 had an average of 1.4 flower stalks in the medicinal residue substrate, which was higher than that of sphagnum moss (1) and pine bark (1). The other two varieties had 1 flower stalk in all three substrates. Reference Figure 5 The branching patterns are noticeably different. Variety 2 had an average of 2.2 branches in the residue substrate, which was significantly higher than that of sphagnum moss (1.2 branches) and pine bark (1.4 branches); Variety 3 had 1.25 branches in the residue substrate, which was higher than that of sphagnum moss (1 branch) and pine bark (1 branch); Variety 1 had 1 branch in all three substrates.

[0057] Planting effect verification experiment 2: Experimental varieties: The mainstream Phalaenopsis varieties "Phal. 'Pink Lady'" and "Phal. 'Bird of Paradise'" were selected, which are sensitive to substrate differences.

[0058] Experimental Methods: Thirty healthy, disease-free seedlings with similar height and leaf number in each treatment group (3.0-inch cups) were selected and transplanted into 2.8-inch transparent nutrient cups. Except for the substrate, water and fertilizer management, light and temperature conditions were kept consistent across all treatment groups. The experiment lasted 150 days, during which root rot rate, root indicators, flowering rate, and flower stalk branching were continuously observed and recorded.

[0059] Table 1. Effects of different substrates on the growth and flowering of the Phalaenopsis orchid variety "Pink Lady" (150 days)

[0060] Table 2. Effects of different substrates on the growth and flowering of the Phalaenopsis orchid 'Bird of Paradise' variety (150 days) , Results analysis and mechanism explanation: 1. Desalination Effect and Root Health (Example 1 vs. Comparative Example 1): The data comparison is extremely significant. The undesalinated substrate D, with an EC value as high as 5.6 mS / cm, exceeded the osmotic regulation limit of the Phalaenopsis root system, leading to root cell dehydration and necrosis, resulting in a root rot rate as high as 45.6%. The plants almost stopped growing due to their inability to absorb nutrients and water, and the flowering rate was extremely low. In contrast, Examples 1-3, treated with the soaking and desalination process of this invention, all had EC values ​​below the safe threshold of 2.0 mS / cm, exhibited robust root growth, and maintained a low root rot rate. This strongly demonstrates that the "soaking and desalination" process is the core step in determining whether medicinal herb residue substrate can be used for Phalaenopsis orchid cultivation.

[0061] 2. Importance of the composting process (Example 1 vs. Comparative Example 2): Comparative Example 2 used a single high-temperature fermentation process without an aging step, leaving incompletely decomposed organic matter in the substrate. During irrigation, these substances underwent secondary fermentation under the action of microorganisms, generating heat and ammonia, which scorched the tender roots of the Phalaenopsis orchids, resulting in a high root rot rate of 18.5%. Furthermore, the overall plant growth indicators (root mass, flowering rate, number of flower branches) were significantly lower than those of Example 1, which underwent a two-stage composting process of "fermentation-aging." This confirms that the aging process, through slow after-ripening, completely eliminates the risk of secondary fermentation and is crucial for ensuring the safety and stability of the substrate.

[0062] 3. The Role of Matrix Pore Structure (Example 1 vs. Comparative Example 3): Comparative Example 3 used fine powder with a particle size <0.5cm as the matrix. Although the total porosity was high, almost all of it consisted of ineffective water-holding micropores, resulting in a severe lack of aeration pores. After watering, the matrix pores were blocked by a water film, hindering gas exchange and causing the roots to be in a state of chronic hypoxia. This resulted in 22.7% physiological root rot, and even after new roots emerged, they turned yellow and stagnated due to lack of oxygen, with a flowering rate of only 55.8%. In contrast, the 0.5-1.25cm particle size selected in this invention, through the natural accumulation of particles of different sizes, perfectly coordinated the contradiction between aeration and water retention, providing an ideal environment for aerial roots.

[0063] 4. Comprehensive comparison with traditional substrates (Example 1 vs. Comparative Examples 4-1, 4-2): In terms of flowering traits, substrate A of the present invention performed excellently. Although sphagnum moss (G) achieved the highest flower stalk height in the "Bird of Paradise" variety due to its superior water retention, substrate A of the present invention showed a significant advantage in the key commercial trait "flower stalk branching ability" in "Pink Lady" (average 2.2 branches), far exceeding sphagnum moss and bark. The mechanism lies in the fact that the substrate of the present invention is rich in humic acid and various trace and growth-active substances derived from traditional Chinese medicine residues, possessing both nutritional functions and continuously and slowly providing nutrients for flower bud differentiation, promoting flower stalk branching, which is not possessed by sphagnum moss and bark substrates, which are essentially devoid of nutrients. At the same time, its flowering rate was also consistently superior to the two traditional substrates.

[0064] In summary, the present invention provides a processing method for preparing Phalaenopsis orchid cultivation substrate using Chinese medicinal herb residue. Through the synergistic effect of "raw material selection - two-stage compound fermentation and aging - precise screening and grading - soaking and desalination - finished product preparation", it systematically solves the inherent problems of high salt content, easy root burn, and unsuitable structure of waste Chinese medicinal herb residue. It produces a new type of Phalaenopsis orchid professional cultivation substrate with performance superior to or equivalent to traditional high-quality substrates, extremely low cost, and slow-release nutrient function.

[0065] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A processing method for preparing Phalaenopsis orchid planting substrate using Chinese medicinal herb residue, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: (1) Raw material selection: Select Chinese medicinal residue with mild medicinal properties and high fiber content as raw materials; (2) Two-stage compound fermentation and aging: The Chinese medicine residue is first subjected to high-temperature aerobic fermentation, and then aged in the dark to obtain mature material; (3) Screening and grading: The decomposed material is screened, and particles within a specific particle size range are selected as the matrix base material; (4) Soaking and desalting: Soak the matrix base material in water to wash away the salts, so that its conductivity is reduced to below the target value; (5) Finished product preparation: Add an acidic regulator to the desalinated matrix base material to adjust the pH value to the target range, and the product is obtained.

2. The processing method for preparing Phalaenopsis orchid planting substrate using traditional Chinese medicine residue according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (2), the temperature of the high-temperature aerobic fermentation is 55-65℃, the fermentation time is 45-60 days, and the aging time is 20-30 days.

3. The processing method for preparing Phalaenopsis orchid planting substrate using traditional Chinese medicine residue according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (3), the screening is carried out by a double-layer screen, and the particle size of the collected matrix base material is 0.5cm to 1.25cm.

4. The processing method for preparing Phalaenopsis orchid planting substrate using traditional Chinese medicine residue according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (4), the specific operation of soaking and elution is as follows: soaking twice with water, each time for 24 hours, with the amount of water being 5 times the volume or mass of the matrix base material; stirring continuously during the soaking process; and the conductivity EC value of the matrix base material after desalination being ≤2.0mS / cm.

5. The processing method for preparing Phalaenopsis orchid planting substrate using traditional Chinese medicine residue according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (5), the acidity regulator is citric acid, and the amount added is 1% to 2% of the dry weight of the matrix base material. After adjustment, the pH value of the matrix is ​​5.5 to 6.

5.

6. The processing method for preparing Phalaenopsis orchid planting substrate using traditional Chinese medicine residue according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (1), the Chinese herbal residue is selected from one or more of the following: Eclipta prostrata, Ligustrum lucidum, Morus alba, Astragalus membranaceus, processed Polygonum multiflorum, Paeonia lactiflora, Bupleurum chinense, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Polygonum cuspidatum, Scutellaria barbata, Taraxacum mongolicum, and Patrinia scabiosaefolia.

7. The processing method for preparing Phalaenopsis orchid planting substrate using traditional Chinese medicine residue according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (5), a structural modifier is also added, which is vermiculite, and the amount added is 5% to 10% of the dry weight of the matrix base material.

8. A processing method for preparing Phalaenopsis orchid planting substrate using traditional Chinese medicine residue according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that, In step (4), the water used for soaking and desalination is drinking water or reclaimed water that meets irrigation standards.

9. A processing method for preparing Phalaenopsis orchid planting substrate using traditional Chinese medicine residue according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (4), after desalting and draining, the material needs to be dried to a moisture content of 15% to 20%.

10. A Phalaenopsis orchid planting substrate prepared by the processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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