The orchid attracts many flower growers with its beauty. However, this plant is very demanding to care for. If you do not comply certain rules, then the orchid may die without having pleased its owner with beautiful flowers. Therefore, it is so important to choose the optimal soil for the plant, provide it with sufficient moisture and observe the irrigation regime.
Orchid adaptation to apartment conditions
Any move is stressful for the plant. In order for it to endure it with minimal losses, it is necessary from the first days of the appearance of a new “tenant” in the apartment to follow the rules for caring for him.
Immediately after the move, it is necessary to provide the plant with a 14-day quarantine. The orchid should be placed separately from other flowers. Suitable for this purpose bedside table, provided that there is no place for a flower on the windowsill. In addition, a plant that long time was in the store, do not need direct sunlight. The orchid should be given rest.
It is not necessary to apply any fertilizers in the first two weeks after the move. It is necessary that the flower independently adapt to the conditions surrounding it.
It is also worth abandoning watering, but at the same time you need to carefully monitor the condition of the leaves and stem of the plant. This will allow timely identification of possible pests and stop their reproduction.
After 2 weeks, you can put the orchid on the windowsill, but you need to do this gradually, at first only in the morning and evening hours, so that it gets used to the sun. From the same time, you can start watering the flower.
As a rule, a transplant will not be required for a purchased orchid for two years. However, if Sphagnum moss was used as soil for the plant in the store, then the flower should be transplanted as soon as possible.
Once the plant has been introduced into the new soil, there is no need to fertilize it. It is enough just to keep it in a dry state, and it will get used to the new conditions on its own. If there are no insects and spots on the orchid, then you do not need to treat the plant with any preparations. Excess chemicals can harm even an absolutely healthy flower.
As practice shows, a plant that has just been bought and transplanted does not need anything other than complete rest. You shouldn't even water it. Thus, it maximizes own forces and adapt to new conditions.
How to properly care for an orchid?
The orchid is rightfully considered a very capricious plant that requires careful and reverent attitude. It requires the creation of suitable conditions. However, do not be afraid to start a flower, you just need to know the basic rules for caring for a plant.
The health of the plant and the frequency of the appearance of flowers depend on how well the lighting is chosen. If the orchid has enough sunlight, then it will bloom regularly. The fact that the plant needs additional lighting will be indicated by pale leaves, which will subsequently stretch and turn yellow.
In order for the orchid to feel as comfortable as possible, you should follow simple rules:
Do not allow direct sunlight to hit the flower. Light must be diffused.
In the summer months, it is best to use frosted window film to darken the plant's habitat a little. This will avoid burning the leaves.
AT autumn period the sun is not so intense, so the film can be removed. Soft rays will not harm the plant, but will contribute to its comfortable transition to a state of rest. At this time, old shoots ripen, and new ones are also set, which will become flowers in the future.
Lack of light harms the orchid no less than its excess. For normal flower growth, daylight hours must last at least 12 hours. Therefore, in winter time it is necessary to provide the plant with artificial lighting. To do this, you can use a lamp with fluorescent lamps.
The temperature regime must be selected depending on the type of orchid:
Orchid "Venus slipper", as well as flowers of the genus Dendrobium and Lelia are cold-loving plants. They grow in countries with a subtropical climate, as well as in the highlands. For such varieties of orchids, the optimal summer temperature is 22 degrees, and winter - 12-15 degrees.
Orchids of the genus Miltonia and Odontoglossum are plants that prefer average temperatures. They grow in the mountainous regions of tropical countries. The optimal daytime temperature for such flowers in the summer months is 18-22 degrees, and in winter -12-15 degrees.
Cattleya orchids, Phalaenopsis and some flowers from the Dendrobium genus are heat-loving plants. Their natural habitat is the forest belt of the coastal tropics and tropical plains. The optimal daily temperature range for these varieties is 15-32 degrees in summer, 15-18 degrees in winter. It is important that daily temperature fluctuations do not exceed a range of 3-5 degrees.
Thus, almost all orchids are able to tolerate daytime temperatures of 18-27 degrees, and night temperatures of 13-24 degrees.
An orchid is a plant that does not tolerate stagnant moisture, so watering should be moderate. However, the watering schedule varies for different types of flowers. So, orchids of the genus Oncidium and Dendrobium require moisture only after the soil is completely dry. In turn, Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum orchids prefer moist soil.
In any case, all orchids tolerate drought much better than overwatering. During active growth, during the release of peduncles and during flowering, they require more moisture. Insufficient moisture supply is indicated by the appearance of wrinkles on the leaves and wrinkling of the pseudobulb. An excess of water is characterized by yellowed and soaked leaves, as well as rotting roots.
In winter, at low temperatures and in low light, you do not need to water the plant at all. Moisture of the orchid in the period after flowering, as well as at the dormant stage, should be very moderate.
The water used to water the flower must be soft. It is good if it is possible to water the plant with melted or settled rainwater. If this is not possible, then ordinary boiled water should be used for irrigation.
In the summer months, the need for soil moisture will be indicated by a dry surface of the soil. As a rule, 2-3 waterings per week are enough for the orchid to feel comfortable. You should also pay attention to the pseudobulb. If it wrinkles and decreases in size, then the flower needs additional moisture.
It is equally important to properly water the orchid. To do this, it must be placed directly in a pot in a bowl filled with warm water. The exposure time is 10 minutes. You can use the shower, watering the plant from above. In the latter case, it is important to allow excess moisture to drain. To do this, the pot is placed on a grate so that the water leaves through the drainage holes. Only after that the flower can be returned to the decorative pot.
Fertilizers should be applied no more than 1 time in 14-21 days. This should be done only when the orchid is in the active growth phase. You can use top dressings such as Bona Forte, Pocon, Greenworld. Do not add more fertilizer to the pot than indicated on the package.
Flowers do not tolerate mineral salts well, and their excessive concentration can lead to the death of the plant. That's why it's so important to flush the soil. running water 1 time per week. You can alternate fertilizing with washing: 1 week - watering, 1 week - top dressing.
Do not use fertilizers that are intended for other plants to feed orchids. There is no need to make them in the winter and during the dormant period.
Most flower growers believe that frequent feeding of an orchid only harms the plant. This negatively affects the state of its natural immunity, as a result of which the flower begins to suffer more often from various diseases.
Fertilization can be completely abandoned if the frequency of soil renewal is observed. In order for the plant to receive all the nutrients from it, the soil must be changed at least once every two years.
Breeding orchids is not difficult, but certain rules must be followed. Reproduction of a flower is possible in several ways.
Reproduction of orchids by stem offspring
Stem offspring or "babies" of an orchid are small new plants. Such shoots are formed in those flowers that have an increased level of nitrogen. If such lateral processes appeared on the orchid, then you should start spraying it more often and wait until the shoots take root. When this happens, you can separate the stem from the main flower, after which it must be treated with powdered charcoal and planted in a separate pot.
Layers are present in those orchids that grow horizontally (sympodial plants). They often appear in those flowers whose shoots have an elongated or thickened cylinder shape.
In order for the layering to awaken, it will be necessary to form a small greenhouse over that part of the flower where the buds formed. You can use a plastic cup for this. To increase the humidity, you need to spray the moss in the greenhouse, as well as the shoot itself.
After about a month of being in warmth and moisture, the buds will awaken and new plants will appear from them, having their own leaves and roots. It remains only to carefully separate them from the main trunk, process and transplant into a separate pot. To strengthen young shoots, they can be kept in a greenhouse for some time.
With the help of vegetations, any species and varieties of plants can multiply. To do this, you need to divide the root of the orchid into several parts. It is important that at least 2 pseudobulbs remain on each part. The rhizome of a young plant should not be divided, it should be mature and strong.
The flower will need to be carefully removed from the pot, shake off the earth from the roots and cut the root into several parts. For this, it is convenient to use garden shears. Slices need to be treated with charcoal and planted each part of the plant in different pots. New orchids need to be watered and sprayed. When new leaves or shoots appear, spraying and intensive watering can be stopped, as these formations indicate that the plant has taken root.
How to care for an orchid in the flowering phase and after it?
If the plant has formed flowers, then the following care recommendations must be observed:
It is necessary to water the orchid intensively. The best way to do this is with a shower. The water must be warm. Optimum temperature is 35 degrees. It is important that water does not remain at the point of growth of the orchid, as this threatens the death of the plant.
The temperature at night should not be too low. It should be increased by 5 degrees from the recommended.
It is forbidden to transplant the plant during the flowering period.
In the flowering phase, you can make top dressing, but you should follow the measure.
Do not often rearrange the orchid from one place to another, this will increase the flowering period.
Orchid care during dormancy
After the flower has become dry and blackened, it is necessary to cut it off. The incision must be made at the very base. Feeding during the dormant period should be abandoned, or reduced to a minimum. In winter, the orchid is watered once a month, but the plant can be sprayed more often.
If the orchid does not bloom at the right time, then this indicates that it needs to be transplanted. You can try moving the pot to another place - this should help. It is also necessary to transfer a flower in the case when its leaves wrinkle and turn yellow, and the peduncle does not appear.
Proper care of such a fastidious plant as an orchid will allow it to achieve regular and long flowering.
Expert editor: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna| Phytotherapeutist
Education: A diploma in the specialty "Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the University named after N. I. Pirogov (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Moscow University of Peoples' Friendship (2008).
The orchid indoor plant is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful specimens in the collections of home flower growers. Far from the ornamental crops can boast such a variety of varieties. An orchid has about 40,000 of them! If you master the secrets of growing orchids, your windowsill all year round will look like an exotic greenhouse.
Description of indoor flower orchid
orchids (Orchidaceae) is the largest family of flowering plants. It includes, according to various authors, from 17 to 30 thousand species. Orchids are distributed throughout the globe, up to the Arctic latitudes, but most of them are residents of the tropics. The greatest species diversity is in Asia, on the islands of the Malay Archipelago, New Guinea, in Central America and in the north of South. They grow mainly in mountainous areas, humid forests at an altitude of 1000-2500 m above sea level and higher, less in lowland forests. Separate genera and species live in very dry savannah conditions.
These plants are very diverse in their appearance, size, lifestyle. Check out the photos and descriptions of orchids grown in home culture. Among them there are terrestrial plants, creepers, epiphytes. Most species grown indoors are epiphytic or epilithic plants. They are equipped with aerial roots, which are covered with a spongy tissue of dead, air-filled cells that absorb moisture from the air and rain water. Some orchids have green aerial roots that contain chlorophyll and are capable of photosynthesis. Most epiphytic orchids have thickened, spindle-shaped or swollen stems. They are called bulbs (pseudobulbs, tuberidia). They store moisture and nutrients during the rainy season, and this allows the plant to survive the subsequent dry period, sometimes lasting about six months. In terrestrial orchids, reserves are deposited in rhizomes or in underground tubers.
As can be seen in the photo, the leaves of a houseplant orchid are usually dense, leathery, and can also serve as storage organs:
Of course, orchid flowers deserve a special description: they are built according to the same pattern: 3 petal-shaped sepals alternate with 3 petals. The middle of the petals, called the lip, is usually larger than the side ones, complex shape, often incised into 3 lobes and has a different color. The disk of the lip between the lateral lobes is often provided with outgrowths of various shapes. Stamens 1 or 2, fused with the style of the pistil, form the so-called column. Underdeveloped stamens are often turned into 1-2 fleshy staminodes. At the top of the column is an anther of 2, 4 or 8 nests. The pollen in each nest sticks together in a lump called a pollinium. The stigma of the pistil is located on the inner side of the column under the anther and looks like a glandular fossa. The fruit is a capsule with a huge number of very small seeds.
When describing a houseplant, an orchid is worth noting that due to the huge variety of forms and their adaptability to the most different conditions habitats in culture different species behave differently. In relation to the temperature regime, all orchids cultivated in greenhouses and rooms can be divided into three groups:
- species originating from lowland or coastal tropical rainforests (phalaenopsis, vandas, some types of cattleyas, dendrobiums) require uniform warm content all year round;
- species growing in the middle zones of the tropics (lelia) prefer moderately warm content;
- species living in the highlands or in areas with a subtropical climate need a cool regime (many Australian Dendrobiums, most Paphiopedilums, Cologyn).
Orchid growing conditions: temperature and humidity
Almost all orchids in winter need a temperature 3-4 ° C (or more) lower than in summer. No less important for them are also daily temperature fluctuations: at night, the temperature should be 3-6 ° C lower than daytime. Almost the most important condition for growing orchids - high relative humidity. This factor plays a greater role in the life of orchids than watering. Even the most xerophytic of them, growing in extremely dry habitats, in their homeland at night get enough moisture in the form of night fogs and morning dews. When growing orchids and caring for them at home, it is better to keep plants, especially in summer, in a specially equipped greenhouse, preferably with lighting, regularly spraying them 2-3 times a day in summer, only in winter sunny days or at elevated room temperatures.
Excessive humidity at low temperatures in winter, as well as on summer nights, is dangerous, as it can cause spots on the leaves and pseudobulbs and rot them. For the same reason, orchids should be watered and sprayed in the morning so that they have time to dry by evening. This is especially important during the growth period to prevent rotting of the growing points and tender young leaves.
Since most orchids come from areas with a seasonal climate, where during the year there is a change between the rainy and dry seasons, different types of them have a more or less pronounced dormant period during which flower buds are laid. Therefore, when growing orchid flowers, watering is uneven throughout the year. During the growth period (spring - early summer), the plants are abundantly moistened, with the cessation of growth and the transition of the plant to a dormant state, watering is gradually reduced and reduced to a minimum, sometimes limited only to maintaining sufficient air humidity to prevent excessive wrinkling of pseudobulbs. Orchids should be watered with soft rain water. room temperature(or slightly higher).
What kind of lighting does an orchid flower like?
Every grower needs to know what kind of lighting orchids like. Most plants, and orchids are no exception, need light to carry out photosynthesis. Each genus of orchids requires a different amount of light, because in nature they all live in different climatic conditions. Some species prefer open, bright sun, while others like deep shade under the canopy of trees. Mountain orchids, for example, require a lot of light, but not direct, but diffused. Burns of leaves and pseudobulbs can stop growth for a long time and even kill the plant. On hot sunny days, shading (tulle, gauze) is recommended. Each orchidist needs to know exactly what kind of orchid is in his house in order to provide him with the required amount of light, which is very important for the onset and flow of the flowering process.
When caring for an orchid at home, lighting is of paramount importance. For practical purposes, three groups of plants are usually distinguished according to their needs for light intensity: orchids, requiring an abundance of sunlight; flowers requiring moderate light; least photophilous plants.
What lighting do you need when caring for an orchid at home?
This culture requires an abundance of sunlight. What kind of lighting is needed for orchids grown at home? The optimum illumination for them is 30,000 - 40,000 lux. This means that such plants require light shading from direct sunlight in spring and in the first half of summer from 12 to 17 hours, when they can get burned. Shading in the spring is necessary for the reason that the plants have lost the habit of intensive irradiation during the winter. In summer, it is required mainly to reduce the temperature. Immediately, we note that the plants in question are the least suitable for room culture. Keeping them indoors will require significant costs. This group includes mainly plants of open habitats, light seasonal forests and some rainforest orchids that live on the tops of trees or the ends of branches - some vandas, dendrobiums, oncidiums, catasetums and a number of others.
Plants that require moderate light need 15,000 to 30,000 lux. This group includes most of the orchids suitable for room culture. To obtain the specified illumination, the intensity of direct sunlight in summer must be reduced by 70–80%. Note that most of these plants can be grown under artificial lighting (under fluorescent lamps).
The least light-loving plants require 5,000 - 15,000 lux for normal development. Almost all Venus slippers, phalaenopsis, anectochilus, hemaria and a number of other orchids are content with such lighting for orchids at home. These are mainly terrestrial species growing under the forest canopy, where approximately 1% of sunlight reaches. This group of plants is most suitable for cultivation in room conditions all year round under artificial lighting.
The orientation of plants towards the light should be constant. The name tag serves as a control. The most important indicator of sufficient illumination is regular flowering.
With an excess of sunlight, plants can get burned as early as March. In the spring, it is necessary to gradually accustom the plants to the sun, a sharp transition from artificial light to sunlight is especially dangerous. artificial lighting used as a supplement to the natural with insufficient intensity of the latter and to increase the length of the day.
Substrates for growing orchid flowers
During active growth, orchids are recommended to be fed with a weak solution of mineral fertilizers. The easiest way to do this is to use the complex mineral fertilizer. Top dressing is carried out every 10-15 days very carefully, for epiphytic species - in a weaker concentration.
Epiphytic orchids are grown in baskets or perforated pots and bowls. The generally accepted substrate for growing orchids is a mixture of crushed fern roots and sphagnum moss in a ratio of 2: 1 with the addition of pieces charcoal.
Orchids can also be grown on crushed pieces of pine or spruce bark, or on a mixture of bark, broken shards and charcoal in a ratio of 1:1:0.5. Many orchids grow successfully on blocks of pine bark, cork, or common oak. Ground orchids are grown on a mixture of leafy soil, peat, humus and river sand; some species - on a looser mixture of rotted leaves and fibrous peat. In all cases, charcoal and broken shards are added as baking powder.
sphagnum moss- one of the most classic substrates from ancient times. An indispensable component of any mixtures for growing both terrestrial and epiphytic orchids. It has a disinfecting effect, which is indispensable for young plants, during the "resuscitation" of orchids affected by pests or diseases, vegetative reproduction. The substrate can be covered from above with a layer of sphagnum 1–1.5 cm.
Osmunda roots. It is one of the most popular substrates for growing orchids. It consists of peeled and washed osmunda fern roots (mainly used Osmunda cinnamomea and Osmunda claytonia), which are very similar to wire. They are able to hold a large volume of water and perfectly retain their properties for a long time.
Coconut. Per recent times this product has become a #1 hit in the world of orchids. Someone was the first to notice that a coconut is able to swim in the ocean for a long time, and once on the shore, it begins to sprout. This means that inside the coconut is an excellent substrate. When growing orchids, its inner part is used in the form of small pieces - fractions (they are called chips), as well as long fibers - orchids are tied with them. From contact with water, the fractions do not become heavier, but their most amazing feature is that before and after contact with water, they pass the same amount of air. The fibers also retain water, as do chips. The outer layer of the chips dries out, while the inner layer remains moist. This product is very durable: it will take at least 5 years before the chips start to break.
Expanded clay and broken terracotta clay- structured, durable, affordable, moisture-intensive (terracotta - 15-25%, expanded clay - 40% or more). But in terracotta and majolica clays, lime and dolomite are often used as additives. Water after contact with expanded clay, as a rule, gives an alkaline reaction and has a fair amount of hardness. Such substrates are very prone to salinity.
Reproduction of orchids at home (with photo)
In room conditions, orchids are propagated by division, cuttings and air offspring. When dividing, the plant is divided into parts with two, preferably with three bulbs with at least one young sprout. Places of cuts are sprinkled with crushed charcoal or sulfur powder. You can also plant single old bulbs. They can also give a new plant. Species with long cylindrical shoots (many dendrobiums, epidendrums, tunias) are easily propagated by stem segments (10-15 cm long), which are placed on wet sand or sphagnum moss and kept in a heated greenhouse until rooting. Dendrobiums and epidendrums are propagated by air offspring.
These photos show the propagation of orchids at home:
Problems and features of growing orchids
If the orchid does not bloom, the reason may be a lack of light, an excess of fertilizer, or the temperature regime is not suitable for it. It must be borne in mind that young plants up to 5 years old do not bloom. If the leaves of the orchid have darkened, this may be due to improper watering or excessive feeding. If a white cottony coating appears on the leaves, the cause may be. Small dark round spots on orchid flowers are a sign of a fungal disease. From an excess of sun, the leaves of the orchid will become unusually green. Holes at the tips of the leaves mean that you have snails in your house. But if the leaves are wrinkled - this is a sign of a viral disease. Get rid of this orchid.
Another common problem is root rot, which manifests itself in lethargy of the plant, drooping leaves, softening of the root collar, can be caused by excessive watering, watering cold water, too deep planting of plants, damage to the roots during transplantation. If for some reason orchids lose their roots, it is imperative to save those of them, albeit bad ones, that still remain. To do this, you need to cook sphagnum, scald it, cool it, squeeze it, pour it with complete mineral fertilizer (for example, Kemira Lux) with a concentration of 0.5 g / l, squeeze it, keep it in a closed plastic bag for three days. After that, the sphagnum is ready for use. Then you need to lay the plants on top of the prepared sphagnum and create greenhouse conditions for diseased plants using available means (greenhouse, aquarium, plastic bag, glass jar) with mandatory lighting in winter. The temperature during the restoration of orchids should be close to optimal - 25-27 ° C.
The lack of flowering in the first place can be caused by non-compliance with the peculiarities of growing orchids, for example, an incorrectly spent dormant period, lack of lighting, too dry indoor air, etc., and is also observed when affected by diseases and pests, when transplanted incorrectly or planted in the wrong soil mixture.
Some types of orchids can only be grown in small greenhouses with additional illumination and certain temperatures.
The method of planting an orchid on a block (with photo)
There are two main ways to plant orchids: on a block or in a container filled with substrate. The choice of planting method depends on your conditions, but sometimes it is uniquely determined by the type of plant.
One common way to plant orchids is to plant the plant on a block, a piece of suitable material to which the plant is attached. As a material for the block, a piece of pine bark, cork oak, a tree fern block is most often used. A block of pine bark is not inferior to others in quality.
The size of a piece of bark is chosen based on the characteristics of the growth of the orchid and its size. There are plants in which the distances between new shoots are quite large, and they will quickly “creep out” of the block. Other orchids look better when they produce a large number of flowering shoots, therefore, both will need fairly large blocks. In order not to injure the plant once again with a transplant, it is better to foresee this in advance.
The main feature of keeping plants on blocks is the rapid drying of the roots after watering. For some plants, this is critical. In nature, some epiphytes exist precisely in such conditions: after rain, their roots can dry out for several tens of minutes, fanned by the wind at the ends of large branches in the upper part of the trees. The roots of the plant on the block always get enough air, they are less prone to decay.
In addition, the epiphyte on the block looks more natural. Plants that will be placed in a room greenhouse should be planted on blocks - here they will not experience a lack of moisture at the roots, and during the dormant period they will not lose a large number water.
Planting an orchid in a substrate at home (with video)
Orchids are typical epiphytes, and pots for them are not so much a container for the earth as a support for the plant. For planting orchids at home in the substrate, you can use various capacities: ordinary ceramic or plastic pots, baskets made of various materials. Clay porous pots are not suitable for orchids in rooms (outside greenhouses): they evaporate moisture too quickly. It is better to use pots made of plastic or glazed. The width of the pots should be slightly less than their height. There should be several holes in the walls and bottom of the dishes with a diameter of 6–7 mm to drain excess water and aerate the substrate. For this, high (1/3 of the height) drainage is made from shards, expanded clay, polystyrene, etc.
As you can see in the photo, when planting orchids, the top of the pot should be wider than the base, otherwise it is very difficult to remove the plant during transplantation without damaging the roots:
The choice of capacity depends on the requirements of the plant and the specific conditions of detention. Phalaenopsis, for example, are planted in containers made of clear glass, because they have a process of photosynthesis in their roots.
Baskets are used when keeping epiphytic orchids growing in natural conditions, usually on stumps or in the forks of tree branches. As a result of this lifestyle, many orchids develop drooping or downward-growing flower stalks. If you plant these orchids in a pot, they usually grow quite well, but you may lose flower stalks. If you grow this plant in a basket, the flower stalks will naturally hang down, as in nature. Baskets come in different sizes - from 10 cm to large baskets of 25 cm. The appropriate size is selected depending on the situation.
Moisture is retained longer in plastic containers, the substrate dries out faster in baskets. Of course, the rate of drying of the substrate depends on its composition and particle size. Therefore, if you want to water your plants less often, take a plastic container and a more moisture-intensive substrate. The ratio of components depends on the conditions of detention and can vary widely. So, for example, a mixture of pine bark and peat may contain these components in a ratio of 7:1 (medium moisture content) or 1:1 (very high).
The video "Planting an orchid at home" shows how this operation is performed:
Orchid transplant at home with step by step photos
Proper transplantation of orchids at home is very important. Best time for transplanting cymbidiums, oncidiums, dendrobiums and miltonias, this is the beginning of the appearance of young new shoots. Be careful not to break them, they are so delicate! This stage of plant development means its active growth.
Between transplants different plants Latex gloves should be used or hands should be washed in between. Orchids can transmit viruses and bacteria to each other, so keep it clean. This will increase the life of your wards.
Orchids do not tolerate frequent transplanting. It is recommended to transplant them on average once every 1–3 years, when it becomes noticeable that the soil has decomposed and is losing porosity, has white coating or the plant is already crowded in a pot. More often it is advised to change only upper layer soil. Do not disturb the plants once again with a transplant, orchids love to sit in cramped dishes, even if roots begin to sprout from the holes in the pot. When dividing a bush, pruning "extra" roots, they often get sick, stop growing, wither, and even die for no apparent reason. Therefore, select the dishes, the substrate so that it is enough for at least 2-3 years, divide the plant only if necessary. Orchids are transplanted only when, due to the tightness of the pot, their growth stops or it becomes necessary to divide the bush.
Transplant technique:
- Before transplanting an orchid, it is necessary to prepare a new container. It is advisable to make additional holes in the side walls, this will improve the aeration of the roots. Holes in the walls of a clay pot can be easily drilled with a drill, wetting the wall with water. After that, it is desirable to attach a piece of rigid wire to the pot, to which the plant will be attached. There is scope for your ingenuity here.
- Remove the plant from the old container. You may need a special tool. Remove all substrate from the roots. Do this either with your hands or with a screwdriver (knife). If you use tools, then sterilize them on fire first.
- Separate dead or softened roots. Be careful with live roots.
- Use a new container, sizing it so that all the roots touch the edges. In some situations where there are a lot of dead roots, switching to a smaller container is possible. This is fine.
- A drainage layer (gravel, expanded clay, broken brick, shards, polystyrene) is laid at the bottom of the tank. Its height should be about 1/3 of the height of the pot. Poor drainage is the most likely cause of root rot. When planting a plant in a basket, a plastic mesh is placed on its bottom, which can be replaced with moss or holes can be filled with large pieces of bark. The same is done with holes in the side walls of the basket. When planting in a basket, there is no need for drainage.
- Hold the orchid in the container with one hand so that the base of the plant and the junction of the roots are at the level of the top edge of the container.
- Sizes of bark fractions: cymbidiums, miltonias, slippers, dendrobiums, oncidiums need fine fraction bark (can be mixed with 20% sphagnum to maintain moisture), phalaenopsis - in the middle fraction of the bark, vanda - a large fraction of the bark.
- Place the plant in a pot, tie it to the prepared wire support and cover the roots with the substrate, leaving the horizontal part of the stem (rhizome) on the surface. Fill the container with bark around the roots, making sure the substrate is evenly distributed between the roots. When the container is full, lightly tamp the top edge of the substrate with your thumbs or a tool. The bark should not be placed too loosely in the container, check this by turning the container on its side: the bark should not fall out. On the other hand, do not compact the bark excessively, otherwise the roots may be damaged. The landing is considered correct, in which the bases of the pseudobulbs are located 1–2 cm below the level of the walls of the dish. After planting, it is advisable to securely fix the orchid for faster rooting.
- Be sure to label the container and change gloves before transplanting the next plant. If you reuse the container, wash it thoroughly.
- After planting, it is desirable for the plant to create a milder microclimate than it normally requires - place it away from direct sunlight, in somewhat cooler and wet conditions. Orchids begin to be watered depending on the condition of the roots and the season, usually 2-3 days after planting, but sprayed regularly. In autumn and winter, it is better not to water plants with large ripened pseudobulbs for a longer time and, if possible, place them in a room greenhouse. Such orchids are carefully watered only when new roots or (if the roots are in good condition) a new shoot begin to grow. If the plant has no roots, it is not watered, but only lightly sprayed on the surface of the substrate and leaves. The frequency of spraying depends on the humidity of the air and the condition of the plant - the weak is sprayed more often. Moisture in the middle of a young shoot is dangerous for some orchids.
After 1-3 years, the plants have to be transplanted into a fresh substrate.
Here you can see step by step photos orchid transplants at home:
Orchids Orchidaceae.
Orchid family. These ornamental flowering plants are allocated to a special group. Those who have been captivated by the beauty of their magical flowers are more likely to become collectors of these wonderful plants. Orchids are perennial herbaceous plants native to tropical countries with hot and temperate climates. Orchids are valued not only for the originality and beauty of flowers of various shades and colors, but also for the fact that many of them bloom mainly in the winter months. An indisputable advantage over all other flowering plants is the duration of flowering - orchid flowers last about 1 month, in some species about 2-3 months on the plant and about a month if they are cut.
Orchid flowers are solitary, in racemose, paniculate and spike-shaped inflorescences. The flowers have a brightly colored perianth of two three-membered circles. The posterior lobe of the inner circle is called the lip and differs from the rest in both shape and color. Three stamens in a flower are attached to the style, only one or two of them are developed. The fruit is a box. Seeds are very small, dusty.
Why is it considered that orchids are very demanding plants in culture? First of all, they need a sufficiently high humidity. Orchids do not tolerate dry and dusty air. Even 2-3 times spraying only temporarily increases the humidity. It is best to grow orchids in indoor greenhouses. All types of orchids, despite the general requirements for care, may differ in ease of cultivation. There are very capricious orchids, but, which is very pleasing, there are many species that can be quite easily kept at home and made to bloom. In addition, it is very important for orchids to observe a dormant period.
Temperature and lighting for orchids:
I would like to say that the windows located to the south - the best place for orchids. However, this is not quite true. Orchids need a lot of bright diffused light, so shading will be required during the hot hours of the day on a south window. The east window is also well suited for growing orchids, and on the west window, if it is not shaded by trees, shading may also be needed, as on the south one. The more light and fresh air, the better the orchids will grow and develop. In order for orchids to grow and bloom safely, it is necessary to provide them with a daylight hours of about 12-15 hours. Therefore, in winter, additional artificial lighting is needed.
The room with orchids should be regularly ventilated, but not any drafts and sudden changes in temperature! Before choosing a particular type of orchid, you need to consider the temperature that he will need. Since there are orchids for cool rooms (for example, dendrobiums, paphiopedilums, cologinia), for moderate ones (for example, lelia) and for warm ones (for example, phalaenopsis, vandas, some dendrobiums and cattleyas). It is clear that orchids that need a cool content will not feel good if they are grown in too warm room. It should be foreseen that during flowering and transplanting the temperature in the room should be slightly higher than usual, however, in a too warm room, the flowers will not last long.
Air humidity:
Orchids require very high humidity, while in rooms with central heating in winter or hot summer, even 2-3 times spraying will not help. Although periodically orchids need to be sprayed for hygienic reasons. Orchids are not sprayed when they are in the sun, but during flowering they are sprayed so that water does not fall on the flowers. It is best to spray orchids in the morning or in the afternoon; you can spray them at night if the orchid pots are not on the balcony or veranda, that is, if the temperature is not expected to drop at night. High humidity is probably the main and very important condition for keeping orchids.
Air humidity is increased by the content of orchids in indoor greenhouses, greenhouses, growing them in an aquarium or near an aquarium or terrarium with water. You can place pots of orchids on a tray with pebbles and water. You can use a cat pot instead of a pallet, then pebbles or pebbles will not be needed, since there is a grate.
Watering orchids:
During growth and flowering, orchids are watered quite plentifully and regularly. No need to water so that today more, tomorrow less. Watering should be uniform. The lack of moisture will lead to the fact that the plant, although it will grow, but the shoots are formed weak and underdeveloped, which will not be correctable. Water orchids during the growth period so that the soil is slightly moist all the time. Orchids can also be watered from a pallet. How much or moderately to water depends on the type of orchid and the stage of development.
Water for watering orchids is only suitable for soft, without any chemical impurities. Water for irrigation is either defended or pieces of peat are added to it to reduce hardness (at the rate of 10 g per bucket of water). Peat is placed in a clothes bag and a bucket is lowered for a day. One portion of peat can be used no more than 2-3 times, then it is replaced with fresh one. The most common method is watering with boiled water. It is even better to use water filtered through a household filter.
Orchid (Orchidaceae, as well as Orchidaceae) - a plant of the flowering department, monocotyledonous class, asparagus order, orchid family (lat. Orchidaceae). Orchids are one of the most species-rich families of the plant world.
The orchid plant acquired its name in ancient Greece thanks to the philosopher Theophrastus, a student of Plato. As a result scientific research the scientist stumbled upon an unfamiliar flower with roots in the form of a steam bulb and gave it the name “orchis”, which means “testicle” in Greek.
Orchid (flower): description and photo
Orchid flowers are one of the largest plant families, the main part of which in nature are perennial grasses. The shrub form and woody vines are less common. The size of orchids can vary from a few centimeters, although certain types grow up to 35 meters in height.
The roots of the epiphyte orchid are extremely important organs, since they perform many essential functions.
Firstly, with their help, orchids are attached to the substrate, which allows them to maintain an upright position. Secondly, the roots are actively involved in photosynthesis, sharing this function with the leaves. Thirdly, with the help of the root system, orchid flowers absorb moisture and nutrients from the air and the bark of the plants they live on.
Another, smaller part of orchids are lithophytes growing on rocks and stony rocks. Ground orchids make up the middle-sized group.
Both types are endowed with underground rhizomes or tubers.
The green stem of an orchid can be long or short, creeping or erect. The leaves are simple, alternate, each plant may have one or more of them.
Orchid flowers of the most diverse colors and sizes form 2 types of inflorescences: a simple spike with a single arrangement of flowers or a simple brush with several flowers on pedicels growing along the stem.
The orchid flower belongs to insect pollinated plants, and the pollination mechanisms of each species are sometimes unusual and very diverse. Shoe orchids, which have a “shoe-shaped” flower structure, are endowed with a special trap for pollinating insects.
Orchids have sticky stalks, the flowers of this orchid imitate the smell of females, thereby attracting males.
Tropical orchid flowers stupefy insects with an unusual aroma, while other species shoot pollen towards the pollinating insect.
Orchis
The fruit of an orchid is a dry box containing up to 4 million microscopic seeds, which is a kind of productivity record among flowering plants.
The life expectancy of orchids in natural conditions is individual, depends on many factors, and under favorable conditions can be 100 years. In greenhouse conditions, many types of orchids live up to 70 years.
Types of orchids, names, descriptions and photos
The modern classification of orchids, developed by the American scientist Dressler, contains 5 subfamilies, each of which is divided into several genera and many species:
- apostasy (lat. Apostasioideae)
A primitive subfamily consisting of 2 genera: neuvidia (lat. Neuwiedia) and apostasy (lat. Apostasia) and 16 species of orchids, which are small herbaceous perennials. These orchids grow in Australia, New Guinea, Indochina and Japan.
- cypripediae (lat. Cypripedioideae)
Represent 5 genera and 130 species of orchids, consisting of terrestrial, rock and epiphytic perennial herbs. One of the famous genera is the lady's slipper, 5 varieties of which are found in Russia. The range of the subfamily is distributed over temperate, tropical and subtropical latitudes of all continents except Africa.
- vanilla (lat. Vanilloideae)
This subfamily includes 15 genera containing 180 species of orchids. Herbaceous plants or creepers are different large quantity flowers in an inflorescence. The fruits of representatives of the genus Vanilla (lat. vanilla) contain vanillin, which is widely used as a spice, perfume industry and pharmacology. These orchids grow in the tropics of the African continent, Central, South America and Asian countries.
- epidendral (lat. epidendroideae)
The largest subfamily consists of more than 500 genera, forming over 20 thousand species of orchids. They are epiphytic perennials, less often ground grasses, extremely rarely lianas. A notable genus is Dactylostalis (lat. Dactylostalix), listed in the Red Book of Russia. And also the genus Cattleya (lat. Cattleya), characterized by fragrant, large, exceptionally beautiful inflorescences. These orchids grow in the temperate, tropical and subtropical zones of all continents.
- orchids (orchids)) (lat. Orchidoideae)
The subfamily unites 208 genera and almost 4 thousand species of perennial terrestrial plants with an upright stem. The orchid genus Anacamptis (lat. Anacamptis) with beautiful spike-shaped inflorescences bright coloring. As well as representatives of the genus Dactyloriza, or Dactylorhiza (lat. Dactylorhiza), the dried roots of which are used for poisoning and as a nutritional component for depletion. These orchids are found on all continents except Antarctica. Genus Phalaenopsis (lat. Phalaenopsis) is also very common, it is the representatives of this genus that are widely cultivated at home.
phalaenopsis orchid
Shades of Phalaenopsis orchids can be classified as follows:
- black Orchid;
- blue orchid;
- blue orchid;
- yellow orchid;
- red orchid;
- purple orchid;
- White orchid;
- pink orchid.
Orchid Phalaenopsis
Varieties of orchids, names, descriptions and photos
There are an endless variety of varieties and varieties of orchids, among which are the following:
- big-lipped cattleya (lat. Cattleya labiata)
One of the largest representatives of cultivated orchids, although there are also small cattleyas. This variety has very beautiful flower with petals covered with a wax coating and a corrugated "lip". The color of the orchid flower, which "lives" for almost three weeks, is the most multifaceted - from soft pink and beige tones to rich purple.
- Orchid Cymbidium (lat. Cymbidium)
An excellent variety of orchids, resistant to stress and unpretentious care. Hanging peduncles contain 10-13 orchid flowers of the most unimaginable palette - from boiling white to purple or bright orange. This variety of orchid blooms profusely and continuously for 8-10 weeks.
- Fragrant Lycasta "Golden"(lat. Lycaste aromatica)
This orchid variety is loved by connoisseurs for its spectacular flowers of a bright lemon tone with a delicate and persistent aroma. Peduncles are high, up to 25 cm, flowers in diameter often exceed 15-17 cm.
- orchid darwinara (lat. Darwinara)
A miniature orchid hybrid with very dark, leathery leaves and an elegant inflorescence, which includes small, 2-3 cm in diameter flowers of a blue-violet hue. Inflorescence racemose, may contain 7-12 flowers with a delicate aroma.
- Potinara « Burana Beauty» (lat.Potinara Burana beauty, Rhyncattleanthe)
The hybrid is distinguished by luxurious variegated flowers of a yellow-red range, with wavy petals. The peduncle of an orchid of medium height, this orchid variety blooms all summer, and with proper care it pleases with beauty even in the first autumn month.
- cymbidium"Twelve" (lat. CymbidiumTwelve
An orchid with long, rather narrow leaves. The bud of the Cymbidium "Twelve" orchid is whitish-pink in color, with a slight reddish speck. Inflorescences drooping, racemose, short.
- Orchid Dendrobium Nobile(lat. Dendrobium nobile)
D sometimes reaches 60 centimeters in height, the minimum growth of this individual is about 30 centimeters. The diameter of one flowering varies from 4 to 7 centimeters. A branch of the Dendrobium Nobile orchid can have inflorescences of various tones.
Where do orchids grow?
Representatives of the largest orchid family adapt so easily to living conditions that they have spread almost all over the globe and feel comfortable in absolutely all climatic zones, except for the harsh Antarctica. Most orchid species grow in the tropics, but these luxuriously flowering plants can also be found in temperate latitudes. Europe and Asia, North and South America- in any place, orchids perfectly adapt to natural conditions, bloom profusely and increase their range.
Planting orchids at home
Surprisingly, contrary to the established belief that an indoor flower should grow in a pot of earth, orchids prefer to “dwell” in a container with a substrate of bark, sand, forest moss, peat, and even polystyrene. Orchid soil can be bought ready-made, or you can make it yourself.
The bark is usually taken from a pine tree and always from a “dead” tree. It is crushed, boiled in water and dried. In moss, only the upper green part is used, after washing it with boiling water and grinding it. Sand for the substrate - only coarse. You can also add charcoal, foam plastic chips and fine expanded clay to the mixture. The components are mixed and thoroughly moistened immediately before planting the orchid.
By the way, when choosing a pot for an orchid, stop at pots made of white or other light plastic: they will bask less under the sun. Wicker baskets or planters are perfect for planting orchids.
You need to plant the plant as carefully as possible so as not to damage the rather fragile roots of the orchid. The substrate should not be tamped - just fill the voids around the rhizome of the flower with it.
Orchid care at home
Lighting
Proper lighting is the main factor when caring for a home orchid. The plant needs 12-15 hours of daylight, so additional lighting will be required on short winter days. In other seasons, it is better to place the plant on the east or west side of the room, closer to the window. The southern windows will have to be shaded, on the north side you will need constant fluorescent lighting.
Orchid “Flying duck” (lat. Caleana major)
Temperature regime
The temperature regime for an orchid depends on the type of plant. Phalaenopsis and other tropical species of orchids are kept in summer at temperatures up to +32 degrees, during winter night hours the temperature should not fall below +15.
Dendrobiums, miltonias and other species native to the subtropics prefer a more gentle atmosphere: +22 in summer daytime and + 12-15 degrees in winter.
The indoor orchid grows well and blooms at an air humidity of 60-70%. Spraying has a short-term effect, and it, unfortunately, contributes to the development of infections and leaf rot. Therefore, the best option would be to use humidifiers, install open vessels with water and moisten the gravel in the sump. Spraying orchids should be kept to a minimum, trying not to get water on the flowers.
Watering
How to water an orchid correctly? - a question that worries many fans of this beautiful plant. Orchids cannot stand standing water, which can cause leaves to turn yellow and roots to rot. For watering orchids, it is better to use soft water - rain, melted water or boiled water. Summer watering of orchids is carried out after the soil or substrate has dried out, 2-3 times a week, in winter it is watered extremely rarely, as soon as the pseudobulb begins to wrinkle.
Transfer
Orchids need to be transplanted only if necessary, this process is often replaced by transshipment into a larger container. The best "homes" for a flower are ceramic or plastic pots with holes in the walls or a basket.
Brick fragments or crushed granite are used as drainage, which is filled with 1/4 of the container. Holes and cracks are laid with sphagnum. The substrate is prepared from 5 parts of pine or willow bark, 2 parts of sphagnum and 1 part of charcoal. If you add chopped fern rhizomes, fallen tree leaves and peat to the mixture, you can do without top dressing. The orchid is carefully lowered into a container, the fragile roots are straightened and the voids are filled without compacting the substrate. Then the plant is fixed with wire and not watered for 5 days.
With a timely (once every 2-3 years) transplant, orchids can do without top dressing at all, receiving necessary nutrition from the substrate. Excess fertilizer depresses the immunity of the plant, which reduces the flowering of the orchid and leads to infections. A high concentration of mineral salts can lead to the death of the plant, and if there is a need to feed the orchid, it is better to use special fertilizers: Bona Forte, Crystalon, Pokon, Compo or Greenworld. When using any fertilizer for orchids, the recommended dose should be reduced by 2 times. Top dressing of orchids is done only in spring and summer, during the period of plant growth.
To stimulate flowering, it is advisable to treat orchids with the preparations “Ovary”, “Bud”, “Flower”.
reproduction
Representatives various kinds and even genera are able to interbreed and produce numerous hybrids. Targeted cross-species pollination has given rise to hundreds of thousands of artificial orchid hybrids, many of which have become favorite houseplants. Representatives of the genera Phalaenopsis, Cattleya and Dendrobium are especially popular. Each type of orchid has individual recommendatory nuances for the conditions of detention and general rules for care and breeding for all types.
Reproduction of orchids is carried out by any of 3 known methods:
- lateral stem shoots - children, which are separated from the mother plant and planted separately;
- layering - air offspring, by rooting on the mother plant in a special greenhouse and followed by separation;
- vegetatively, dividing the rhizome and planting fragments containing 2-3 pseudobulbs.
Bloom
With proper lighting and proper care, an orchid can bloom 2 times a year, in spring and autumn. Non-infectious diseases in a plant occur due to hypothermia, excessive watering, insufficient lighting, and sunburn. long negative impact fraught with the death of the flower.
So that an exotic and delicate plant pleases its own and well increases its leaf mass and root system, behind him it is worth organizing the right.
If he lacks any conditions or requirements, he can from incorrect content. To prevent this from happening, you need to know the basic points for caring for an orchid.
Let's take a closer look at what care for orchids at home is necessary. The natural environment for a plant is warm tropics, where:
At the same time, the air almost always remains humid, as the flower grows at a low altitude under the huge crowns of trees. Therefore, the lighting for the orchid should be light but with scattered sunlight. Direct sun can burn.
Diseases and pests of orchids
Sometimes per plant can be found:
- Various insects;
- Or bacterial.
You don't have to get upset right away. need to start treatment.
Harmful insects
Whatever insects are found on the flower, he is quarantined and treated with Actellik three times so that they had no chance of surviving.
If pests are found, the orchid must be placed in quarantine.
The interval between treatments is 5-6 days.
Infectious diseases
Noticing an infectious disease, necessary:
- Leave the flower separately from the others;
- And treat with fitoverm.
Processing spend twice and observe for some time so that the disease does not manifest itself.
Rot and fungus
To get rid of rot and fungi that sometimes appear on the root system due to flower overflow, necessary:
- Crop all black places;
- And treat the sections with a fungicide.
Caring for a beautiful exotic plant called an orchid is not such a difficult thing. The main thing is to capture the moment when to water and give the plant the necessary soil, and then the flower will respond to care with beautiful flowering.
Useful video
Learn in the video how to care for an orchid in a pot at home:
Interesting facts on the video, what mistakes are made when caring for an orchid:
Watch the video on how to properly water an orchid:
Find out in the video what pests and diseases of orchids are:
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