Orchid - home care for the unearthly beauty of tropical flowers

Large leaves, tall flower stalks, decorated with bright butterflies - this is an orchid, which is very difficult to care for at home. A beautiful foreign woman came to us from the distant tropics and has long become the pride of many flower growers. Despite the clearly expressed thermophilic character and high requirements for maintenance, she liked the local conditions. Of course, on the territory of our vast homeland, even in its warmest regions, it is only possible to grow orchids at home. While these flowers grow right under the shade of trees in distant China or Australia, we can create tropics for them exclusively indoors. However, this is more than enough for the orchids to grow and delight with their unique flowering.

However, before buying an adorable Tropicana, you should learn all about orchids at home. After all, in order for them to feel good, it is necessary to create conditions for them that are as close as possible to natural ones. Warmth, moisture, moderate lighting - that's what these beauties need. And, of course, it is also necessary to properly care for the plants throughout their life, taking into account the different periods of development.

Luxurious orchid - home care, taking into account growing technology

First of all, it is worth noting that there are many types and varieties of orchids. Some of them grow, like most plants, in the soil, while most are epiphytes and live in trees. They feed on not roots, but leaves, through which they absorb life-giving moisture. This does not mean that orchids are rootless crops. They have them, but they only serve more to give stability to the outlet. One of these representatives is phalaenopsis - the most popular home orchid among flower growers.

But regardless of the species, all orchids are thermophilic tropicans that need special conditions for keeping.

The room where they stand should contain:

• warmly;
• wet;
• light, but no direct rays.

Comfort temperature

The room should have a stable above zero temperature, preferably with a difference between day and night indicators. Plants thrive best at 23 ° C. Higher temperatures have a negative effect on them: it quickly dries out the substrate, lowers the turgor of the leaves. At the same time, coolness is also needed for laying the buds. In order for the orchid to bloom annually, abundantly and for a long time, at night the temperature should drop 5 - 8 ° lower.

Drafts and cold airflow from the flower conditioner are harmful. First of all, the leaves suffer from them, becoming covered with spots. Then the orchid may die altogether.

Air humidity

Orchids require a high level of humidity, which is typical of the tropics. It is somewhat difficult to maintain it in an apartment, especially during the heating season. Therefore, plants need to be sprayed frequently.

A special device - an air humidifier - will help maintain the desired humidity in the house.

This is especially convenient during the flowering period of orchids, because it is impossible for water to fall on the buds. Brown spots appear on them, which spoils the appearance. In addition, the flowers no longer last so long and wither quickly.

Orchid: home care in compliance with the lighting regime

Tropical plants need diffused lighting.Since in nature orchids grow under the protection of the crown of trees, they do not like direct rays. South windows are completely unsuitable for these crops - they quickly "burn out" there. It is better to place the pot on the western windowsills. Oriental ones are also suitable, but on condition that in the morning, when the sun is shining in them, the flowers will be shaded. In winter this is not so important, but the spring sun is already hot through the glass and causes burns.

In winter, on the contrary, the orchid needs additional lighting, especially if this period coincides with its flowering. With a lack of lighting, the buds may not open completely, and the foliage turns pale and yellow.

It is advisable to supplement the light with plants in autumn, starting in October, when daylight hours begin to decrease. In most species, it is during this period that the budding of flower buds falls. If the orchid does not have enough light, then it may not bloom. Accordingly, another main point in caring for an orchid at home is winter supplementation.

In order for a peduncle to appear at the end of winter, it is necessary to provide a daylight length of at least 10 hours.

What soil is needed for an orchid

The composition of the soil depends entirely on the type of crop. As already mentioned, there are terrestrial and epiphytic orchid varieties. Terrestrial species such as cymbidium, grow in nature in the ground, therefore they also need soil at home.

It can be ordinary, but supplemented with useful additives that will give the orchid additional nutrition:

• rotted foliage;
• charcoal;
• peat.

For epiphytes, a special soil composition is needed - they grow in the bark. Again, in nature, epiphytic orchids cling to the bark of trees with their aerial roots and grow on them. Therefore, home copies should have similar conditions. In flower shops there is a large selection of ready-made substrates especially for orchids. For adult specimens, the bark of a large fraction is more suitable, young orchids need smaller fragments.

Orchids - epiphytes do not need nutritious soil. The main requirement for the soil is that it must quickly evaporate excess moisture.

Many gardeners prepare such soil mixtures on their own. The basis is a store-bought ready-made soil for orchids.

Additional components are added to it that improve the structure and increase the friability of the substrate:

• perlite;
• sphagnum;
• charcoal;
• expanded clay;
• oak or pine bark;
• husk from sunflower seeds.

Separately, it should be said about pots - for orchids it is better to use transparent plastic flowerpots. The roots are clearly visible in them and it is easy to determine when it is time to water the flower. And in case of decay, it will be possible to notice the problem in time and prevent the death of the plant.

Orchid pottery is not the best choice, as the roots grow to the walls of the pot. When transplanted, they are injured. If you really want to have a beautiful painted flowerpot, you can simply place a plastic pot with an orchid inside it.

Orchid - home care for lush bloom

It is not enough to create tropics for orchids at home, it is also important to properly care for them. Especially in terms of watering, because the provision of moisture has its own characteristics. Feeding flowers that grow in a non-nutritive substrate are no less important. They receive all the necessary elements for development and flowering exclusively through feeding. And well-developed rosettes also require an increase in the pot so that they are not cramped. Do not forget about this point: how to care for an orchid at home also depends on its specific type. Terrestrial varieties have slightly different requirements than epiphytes.

How to water orchids

The thick gray roots in the pot and protruding above it are not really roots. Rather, the roots themselves look like thin, but strong, threads and are hidden in this gray thickening. The spongy gray fabric is designed to absorb and store moisture.It is she who feeds the filamentous roots, gradually giving off water. This is the reason for the peculiarities of watering orchids. Despite the fact that they love moisture, its excess leads to decay of the roots.

Watering orchids is necessary only after examining the contents of the flowerpot. If the roots are greenish, the pot is heavy and there are drops of condensation on its walls, there is enough moisture. Watering should be postponed until the roots are silvery and the container lightens the weight considerably. This means that the substrate has dried well and become light, and moisture reserves in the spongy tissue have also been reduced to a minimum.

It is recommended to water the orchids through a drip tray by immersing the pot in a bowl of lukewarm water.

In summer, when it's hot, the plants are watered more often, but not very abundantly, so as not to flood. In winter, the frequency of watering is reduced. But frequent spraying of orchids is very fond of at any time of the year - this is another way for them to "get drunk". In addition, as a result, the humidity of the air increases, which only plays into the hands of flowers.

How to fertilize plants

For orchids, it is necessary to use special liquid preparations that contain soluble mineral fertilizers. They are added to water during watering and spraying. To bloom profusely and for a long time, chic beauties need phosphorus. They need nitrogen to grow large foliage, and potassium for metabolism and the formation of strong immunity. These are the three main components of any fertilizer, which have the right proportions. They vary depending on the purpose of application, for example, feeding blooming orchids or just for growth. In addition to them, the preparations also contain other trace elements that help the flower to develop.

It is not difficult to find the right concentration, because in stores there is a wide selection of fertilizers for orchids.

For example, you can use one of the drugs shown in the photo below:

• Bona Forte;
• Pocon;
• Dr. Foley;
• Agricola;
• Agrecol.

Orchids do not have a dormant period, so they need feeding all year round. In autumn and winter, once a month is enough, in the spring and summer period, fertilizers should be applied twice a month.

When to transplant

On average, an orchid can grow in one pot for 2 - 3 years. But during this time, the outlet grows strongly and requires more space. If the flowerpot is entangled with aerial roots that hang on the windowsill, then the orchid needs a transplant. In addition to increasing the size of the plant, the need for transplanting is also caused by a change in the structure of the substrate. For several years, the bark begins to collapse, air exchange between the roots is disrupted.

Transplanting an orchid is a little more difficult than replanting conventional plants that grow in soil. This is due to the fact that the roots often grow together with the bark, they are difficult to detach, and it is inconvenient to fill the pot with fresh bark tightly.

But with a little effort, you can do everything quickly and, most importantly, accurately:

1. The first step is to get the orchid out of the pot. It can be easily removed, but you need to hold onto the leaves.
2. Clean the roots from the substrate and examine them well.
3. Cut off dry and rotten roots. Sprinkle the slices with crushed activated carbon.
4. Pour a layer of fresh substrate onto the bottom of the new flowerpot.
5. Place an orchid in the center of the container, spread the roots and cover with fresh bark. If necessary, use a pencil to push the pieces under the roots.

In case of orchid disease or root decay, the transplant should be carried out immediately. All affected roots must be removed, and the remaining ones are treated with a fungicide.

Home care after buying an orchid

In flower shops, all their green inhabitants live in a completely different climate, different from the apartment climate. There is a higher humidity, moreover, a stable, optimal temperature and lighting. Therefore, the orchid, "torn out" of its usual conditions and brought home, experiences real stress.It takes time to adapt to both dimmer lighting and lower humidity. And also - to make friends with the "neighbors", but at the same time not to infect them with possible insects - pests or fungi. Not often, but this happens and even store copies can hurt.

What to do with a purchased flower? First of all, the pot with the plant is sent to quarantine for a couple of days, placing it separately from other indoor flowers. This should be a cozy place, and partial shade is possible - for this period, the lighting requirements are not so high. The main thing is that there is no working heating battery nearby. Moreover, for the first 2 weeks, it is advisable not to place the orchid next to other plants at all.

The first watering after purchase is carried out in 7 - 10 days, in the future you can water once a week - one and a half. Otherwise, home care for an orchid is the same as described above.

Do I need to transplant a purchased orchid? If she is healthy and there are no pests, there is no need for a transplant either. This is additional stress for the flower.

Orchid blooms: home care should be special

During the flowering period, orchids need special care and more comfortable living conditions. At this time, they need more lighting, in addition, it is advisable to move the pot to a warmer room. But this must be done even at the stage of peduncle formation, because you cannot rearrange the flowering bush.

You cannot transplant an orchid during flowering and spray its buds and flowers.

Blooming orchids need regular watering, so it is important not to let the substrate dry out completely. They also need feeding with special mineral complexes that will help prolong flowering.

Reproduction of orchids

Some varieties reproduce primarily by children, while others by simple dividing growth points. It all depends on what kind of orchid, but all types can be propagated using seeds. Although at home this method is almost never used due to the complexity and duration of the process.

You can also propagate indoor orchids in this way:

1. Division. Suitable for dendrobiums and other sympodial species that have many growth points. It is better to divide only heavily overgrown orchids, leaving at least 3 pseudobulbs on each division. Then the new plant will take root easier and bloom faster.
2. Rooting root babies. To get them, the old plant is divided horizontally, leaving a trunk with several roots. There should also be a couple of leaves on the stump left. Over time, root children with their own roots are formed on it.
3. Cuttings. It is noteworthy that all types of orchids can be grafted. Sympodials reproduce by cuttings of pseudobulbs, and monopodials - by peduncles.
4. Separation and rooting of children that have formed on the peduncle. They can appear on their own or stimulation is carried out with the help of hormonal paste.

Orchid bulbs can sometimes be found on sale. They are actually pseudobulbs of a variety called cicnades. It is planted "standing" in dry bark, only slightly deepened, and do not water it until roots are formed.

Thus, orchids and caring for them at home are not that difficult. Knowing the specifics of the development and requirements of these tropical plants, it is quite possible to please them. And in return, orchids will delight you with gorgeous flowering.

Video about proper orchid care at home