In what soil is it better to grow orchids at home

Before you buy a tropical beauty orchid, be sure to familiarize yourself with the rules for its cultivation. For most of the widespread species, they are not particularly complex. It should also be remembered that growing an orchid at home should start with the selection of a suitable place.

Growing conditions

Growing orchids at home is possible only if appropriate conditions are created. Failure to comply with at least one of them will lead to a lack of flowering, and possibly even to the complete death of the plant.

Lighting

Orchids are tropical plants and therefore require high levels of light. But since they are naturally located in the lower tier of the tropical forest, the light for them should be diffused. On average, they need at least 16 hours of daylight for full development. Therefore, in winter, it is advisable for them to organize illumination from special phytolamps.

Temperature

The optimum temperature for growing orchids is 22-27 ° C during the day and 18-22 ° C at night. It is not recommended to reduce the temperature below + 18 °. Orchids are able to withstand minor deviations from the above temperature regime, but it is better not to abuse this. Such conditions for the plant will be stressful, so it can get sick.

Selection of soil and pot

In nature, orchids are epiphytic plants. This means that for full growth and development, they do not need a conventional potting mix. For normal life, a special substrate is enough for them, consisting of pieces of bark and moss. Experienced growers prefer to compose it themselves, but this requires certain skills. Therefore, it is easier for novice orchivores to purchase a ready-made version.

The main purpose of an orchid pot is to keep the plant upright and retain moisture. Therefore, any container of suitable volume can be used as it. The main thing is that it has a large number of holes for air access and drainage of excess water during irrigation. And also the pot should be transparent. This is due to the fact that the process of photosynthesis takes place in the roots of orchids, and light is needed for it.

Features of growing in a closed system

Recently, cultivation of orchids in a closed system has become popular. For this, special flasks and vases are most often used. Orchids of various types can be planted in them. This growing method has many disadvantages. The most important of these is difficult care and a high risk of fungal infections. Of the advantages, it is worth noting that an orchid in a flask or transparent vase will become a stylish interior decoration, and also that this method of growing will provide significant time savings when watering.

Growing in water

In addition to the usual substrate for growing orchids, an aquatic environment can also be used.It is quite consistent with their natural needs. Growing orchids in water involves the use of a hydroponic method. Of its advantages, it is worth noting the absence of the need for watering. This technology for growing orchids has its own characteristics, so at home it is used by the main experienced florists. Also, the hydroponic growing method is very often practiced in industrial cultivation and breeding.

Care

The main secrets of growing an orchid are to follow the rules of care. Healthy, well-developed plants are almost immune to disease and very rarely affected by pests. They bloom without any problems almost throughout the year.

Watering

The irrigation regime largely depends on the temperature conditions. In this case, the following rule applies: the lower the ambient temperature, the less often watering. But also the size of the pot and the condition of the plant should be taken into account. If the orchid is at rest, watering should be kept to a minimum. It is fully resumed only after the start of active growth.

Water for irrigation must be soft and settled. Watering directly from the tap is unacceptable. It contains many different impurities, including chlorine. And they, in turn, will contribute to the salinization of the substrate.

Widespread orchid species adapt well to indoor conditions. Therefore, spraying is not a mandatory procedure for them. It can be quite successfully replaced with a warm shower, which is carried out once every two weeks. It effectively removes dust and other impurities from the surface of their leaves.

Transfer

Orchid growing technology does not require an obligatory annual transplant. It is carried out only if absolutely necessary. For example, it may be triggered by a flood or pest damage.

But transplantation is also possible with the intensive development of the plant. In this case, the root system ceases to fit in the pot, and some of the roots begin to hang over the edges. The roots of orchids are very fragile and break easily, so transplanting in most cases is carried out by the transshipment method.

For this, the plant is carefully removed from the pot. From its roots, that part of the substrate that crumbles on its own is carefully removed. The orchid is then placed in a new pot. Its size should be slightly larger than the previous one. After carefully distributing the roots, the gaps between them are filled with fresh substrate. It is not recommended to water the orchid for the first two after transplantation. Then watering is gradually resumed.

Top dressing

Growing orchids requires top dressing. Without this, it will not be possible to achieve abundant flowering. It should be borne in mind that orchids are very sensitive even to a slight excess of fertilizers. Especially for them, the large amount of nitrogen is scary. Even a single application of too much of this element can lead to the complete death of the plant.

For feeding orchids, only specialized formulations should be used. In them, the balance of essential nutrients is at a comfortable level for plants. There are quite a few liquid dressings available specifically for orchids. Before using them, be sure to carefully study the attached annotations.

Pest and disease control

Growing Phalaenopsis orchids, although not particularly difficult, can sometimes still cause certain problems. Of the most common pests of orchids, the following should be noted:

• whitefly;
• aphid;
• mealybug;
• spider mite.

The fight against the first three species on the list is exactly the same. Systemic insecticides are used to destroy them. For home conditions, the most applicable is "Aktara". It is odorless and has a long lasting protective effect.It is produced in the form of a powder that is readily soluble in water. 10 days after the first treatment, additional spraying is required. This makes it possible to almost completely exclude the possibility of re-spread of the pest.

Important! The destruction of a spider mite should be carried out using special preparations - acaricides. Conventional insecticides are ineffective against it.

The following preparations are suitable for the destruction of spider mites:

• fitoverm;
• actellik;
• commander;

They should be diluted and used in strict accordance with the attached annotations. After 10 days, the treatment must be repeated. In order for the mite to be as effective as possible before using chemicals, it is recommended to first thoroughly rinse the plant under running running water, and replace the substrate in the pot with a fresh one.

Spider mite on an orchid

Diseases

The most common orchid diseases are rots of various origins. They occur most often when growing conditions are violated. For example, even a single flood can damage the root system. And also in orchids, the area of ​​the root collar is very often affected.

The fight against rot consists in the use of fungicidal preparations. In this case, they act as follows:

1. The plant is removed from the pot.
2. All damaged areas are cut out with a sharp knife.
3. Places of cuts are treated with charcoal powder, bark or foundation.
4. The plant is transplanted into a fresh substrate.

You cannot water the orchid at this moment. First, the sections obtained as a result of processing must dry. Usually, the first is carried out no earlier than a week later. So that during this time the plant does not lose its precious supply of moisture from the leaves, it is placed in a small greenhouse. Moreover, it must be ventilated several times a day.

Conclusion

Orchid care is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. The main thing is not to violate the basic rules of cultivation. And then the orchids will surely thank you with abundant and long flowering.

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Watching television programs about tropical flora, we are always amazed at the riot of colors and forms of plants growing in those latitudes. Did you know that there are many plants from tropical latitudes that can be quite successfully kept at home, and they will delight no less than those on the TV screen? In order to prove this, take, for example, an orchid, a flower - which is striking in its originality and at the same time, ease of cultivation.

How to grow an orchid at home

Although they are considered capricious plants, many flower lovers, both professionals and amateurs, they grow on windowsills without any difficulty. To successfully grow orchids at home, you need to prepare well from the beginning, and then everything will go “knurled” and will be simple and easy. It is necessary to prepare several things: soil, containers for a flower, fertilizer. All this is in abundance in most flower shops. You also need to study information about watering, lighting, transplanting. It is not necessary to delve into the details, but it is necessary to study the general information.

What should be the lighting

What always attracts us in any color is, of course, the bloom itself. So how to grow an orchid at home, and even so that it blooms? This requires a lot of light. Moreover, lighting has a major role here. The most important thing is to find a middle ground, because if there is too much light, the flower will just burn, and with a lack of light, the plant will not bloom at all. The question immediately arises, how to determine this golden mean. Here the flower itself will tell you. With a lack of light, the leaves will be dark green (should be light), and if you overdo it with lighting, the leaves will begin to turn yellow.

Features of watering a plant

Along with lighting, watering is also important. In nature, orchids never grow in water, their roots cannot tolerate an excess of moisture and standing water, so extreme care must be taken with watering. Factors affect the frequency of watering:

• the duration of daylight hours;
• the size of the container in which the plant is located;
• watering and feeding;
• other external factors such as dry air and ambient temperature.

The plant will immediately react to a lack of moisture with dark green leaves, and to waterlogging yellow leaves and rotten roots.

Increased watering is required only during rapid growth or flowering. Watering should be done as follows. It is necessary to water the plant under the shower with warm water so that the soil is completely wet and the water completely drains out through the drainage holes. Only after the water has completely drained can the plant be put back into the pots.

Selection of soil and capacity

The choice of a pot is very important for the favorable growth of the flower. Mainly used:

• transparent plastic containers;
• clay pots;
• baskets.

Some types of orchids from the epiphytic family are planted on a block. The block can be a piece of bark, and in order to prevent the roots from drying out, moss is used to retain moisture. Mostly miniature species or seedlings are planted on the block.

Now let's look at the soil. The selection of the substrate depends on what kind of variety you want to grow. If it is an orchid from the epiphyte family, then the soil will mainly play the role of supporting the plant in an upright position, protect the roots from excess moisture and provide them with the required amount of air. The substrate should consist of pieces of tree bark, coal, cork, moss, clay in granules and absolutely no garden soil, in general, from those components that do not retain moisture. It is also possible addition of coarse sand.

Any container capable of holding the substrate of the required composition is suitable as a flower pot. To grow terrestrial species, we need a substrate of the same composition as for epiphytes, but with the addition of a small amount of garden soil and dried leaves. All components must be finely ground. It is best to use plastic transparent containers with drainage as a pot. To hide the untidiness of the containers, you can always place the flower in a decorative planter. It is both beautiful and practical.

For beginners, it is advisable to buy ready-made soil in stores, rather than prepare it yourself. On the packaging, sometimes they even write for what type of this or that substrate. After gaining some experience, you can try to prepare soil for terrestrial orchids yourself from a soil mixture for epiphytes, moss and garden soil.

Optimum temperature for the plant

Most plants require daytime temperatures from +18 to +27 degrees, and at night from +13 to +24 degrees. One of the most important conditions for flowering is the difference between night and day temperatures. With central heating, transferring a plant accustomed to heat to a cooler area overnight can produce good results. The plant can sprout. Orchids prefer air humidity of 60–80%.

If these figures are lower, then they can be achieved by placing a pallet with a grate under the pot. Such pallets can be purchased either in garden stores, or you can make it yourself by pouring water onto the bottom and placing a large layer of gravel on top. The main thing is to make sure that the roots do not touch the water.

In dry weather, spraying with a spray bottle will be helpful. Only it is worth calculating the time so that the plant has time to dry out by night. Plants are very air movement is also important... Especially for cold-loving species. An electric fan can be used for this. But it is worth protecting the plant from strong drafts. While blowing the plant, it is worth increasing the frequency of watering the flower.

Fertilizer selection

For abundant flowering, regular, balanced feeding is necessary. It is best to do it once every two weeks. It is best to use specialized fertilizers for orchids, which can always be purchased at flower shops. The rules for preparing top dressing are usually written on the packaging.

In no case should you use fertilizers that are intended for other plants. This can lead to illness or even death of the flower. It is also worth remembering that during the rest period one should reduce the frequency of feeding... Sooner or later, the plant will need to be transplanted into a new pot. This is best done after the plant has bloomed and rested a little. The signal for this is the green part of the plant that has grown outside the pot. It is important to remember that you do not need to transplant if the root system just protruded above the surface of the container.

Plant transplant recommendations:

1. Sometimes, in order to carefully remove the plant from the pot without damaging the root system, you have to cut the pot.
2. After that, you must carefully shake the plant from the old soil, cut off the old dried or decayed roots.
3. Then you need to take a container a couple of sizes larger than the old one, pour some new soil on the bottom, put the orchid in a new pot and fill the space between the roots with a suitable substrate.
4. After that, lightly press down on the soil, but do not over-compact. It is also necessary to ensure that the top of the flower (growth point) is above the surface of the soil.

Not everyone decides to reproduce orchids at home, since this is associated with a number of difficulties. There are two ways to propagate a flower - this is division during transplantation and seeds... Reproduction by seeds is considered impossible, since in a plant they are the size of pollen and require absolutely sterile conditions for germination, since even the smallest microbes can destroy them. Therefore, if you do not have a mini-laboratory at home, then you should not try. Reproduction by division is also difficult, but still quite real. And if a new plant develops a system of roots and leaves, then in a year it will delight you with flowers and become a wonderful decoration for your home.

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Gardening in Russia is a hobby that stops with the onset of cold weather. And only the cultivation of indoor flowers can be done year-round. One of the most spectacular and popular is the orchid. Few plants can compare with her beauty, graceful forms and variety of colors. But growing a tropical beauty is a rather complicated process, which should be taken up only after a thorough study of the theory.

Choosing a flower

The easiest way to get a plant is to buy it from a specialty store. Today, the assortment in them is the widest, so it is not surprising to get confused. When choosing, one should focus not only on the beauty of the flower, but also on a number of other signs.

The health of the orchid will also depend on the condition of the roots. They should be developed, gray or green. The growing flower has a bright green root tip. The leaves are dense, without signs of lethargy. If they have a sticky coating, white or yellow spots, then you should refrain from buying.

To check how healthy the roots are, you can simply shake the plant pot.

Orchids do not use ordinary garden soil. The soil should consist of a mixture of moss, bark, perlite, sand, cork.

An adult plant that can multiply and bloom will cost more. The young seedling has few leaves, and it does not yet have a peduncle. He will release the flower only after a few years. If there is no desire to wait, then it is better to take a formed orchid.

Same

The necessary conditions

In order to properly grow an orchid, a number of prerequisites must be observed: properly prepare the soil, maintain the light regime, humidity, and transplant the flower on time.

Since the orchid has a very long stem, the pot should provide her with reliable support... The soil consists of a mixture of moisture-retaining components, tree bark, a mineral-rich substrate (vermiculite), and literally a handful of earth is added. The soil retains moisture for a long time, supplies the plant with minerals.

The pot should be elongated, not too wide, with a lot of holes. It can be replaced by an ordinary plastic container, which is placed in a decorative planter. But it is desirable to have a transparent pot itself - this will allow you to control the degree of soil moisture, monitor the development of roots.

A container with a growing seedling should not be placed on the south window! The leaves will get sunburn. Better to move it to the center of the room, place it on a table or stand. But you can place an orchid on the north or east window.

Temperature and watering

Under natural conditions, the orchid has managed to spread throughout the globe and feels great in different climatic zones, up to the Arctic Circle. But most of the varieties still come from warm countries: Australia, South America, Malaysia, Brazil. To grow this delicate flower better, you should find out which climatic zone it comes from.

The optimum temperature is considered to be 18-27 ° С during the daytime, at night - up to 24 ° С. Ideally, in the dark, you should transfer the plant to a cooler room. This will allow him to develop faster. By the way, it perfectly tolerates small temperature changes. Only in the event of a cold snap, it is necessary to reduce watering (and vice versa).

There is original way of watering... A larger container is taken, water with fertilizer is poured into it. Then a pot of orchid is immersed there. Within 15 min. the soil must be saturated with moisture, after which the plant is taken out.

• Like many other flowers, the orchid does not tolerate direct sunlight, it needs diffused lighting.
• There is no need to fill the pot, this can lead to irreversible consequences - wilting. The amount of water should be slightly increased during the onset of the growth phase. But after flowering and in winter, watering is reduced.

It is necessary to fertilize orchids constantly - it is better to do this with the help of specially created fertilizers. They should be diluted and applied according to the instructions. Tough, durable leaves, gray-green roots indicate that watering is not required yet. But if the container is small, moisture will evaporate from it faster. Therefore, the frequency of watering is determined by the situation.

Reproduction and transplantation

If growth is proceeding correctly, it is time for a transplant. Often it is not recommended to carry out it, as it is a stressful situation for the gentle pot dweller. After a change of residence, growth may stop for a short time. But once every 3 years it is necessary to do this, the best time is spring. You will need a pruner, a new soil mixture. The instrument must be disinfected so as not to infect.

• The pot should be slightly crumpled in your hands - this way the rhizomes are easier to separate from the walls. They must be cleaned of old soil.
• After careful examination, remove insects, damaged areas of the root system, lower leaves.
• The flower must be dried for several hours.
• Before planting an orchid in a new pot, it must be treated with an antiseptic. The growth point is left on the surface.
• It is not necessary to tamp it too tightly - the soil should be airy.

Anyone who has managed to achieve flowering from a young flower will want to have a few more. In order to grow an orchid at home, there are several options.

Some species reproduce in only one way - side shoots, or bulbs... But the simplest method is division... Therefore, beginners should choose a variety for which it is suitable. Distributed and grafting.

It is better to cut off the shoots that were closer to the base - the plants that will appear from them will be the most powerful. On each separated piece, 2-3 buds are left, no more needed. Sections must be processed with crushed coal... Then the planting material is placed in tree bark or sphagnum moss (they must first be moistened). They are looked after as for an ordinary orchid. The first roots will appear in a month.

By dividing the bush, only those specimens that have reached the age of several years and are sufficiently strong are propagated at home. Necessarily air roots are required, at least three, and it is better if there are also new ovaries. The sections are treated with crushed coal, then planted in new pots, the soil is changed. After a while, the flower will grow.

Rarely, some species produce additional shoots. Small outgrowths appear slightly away from the main root. The shoot is carefully removed after abundant watering, planted in a separate container. Grown as usual.

Growing orchids from seeds at home is an impossible task! Many novice florists take it up, but to no avail. It is much safer to plant cuttings or divide an already matured plant. These are proven methods that many hobbyists use successfully.

By starting with just one flower, you can gradually expand your collection. If the home conditions are favorable, the orchid will bloom for a long time and reproduction will be successful.

Orchid diseases

They are divided into several types. Treatment is usually long and not always effective, so it is better to strictly follow all the requirements so that the plant grows healthy.

• Fungal diseases... Small brown spots indicate anthracnose. They gradually increase, becoming covered with mucus. The reason is excessive moisture. The affected areas will have to be removed, the sections processed.
• Powdery mildew recognizable by whitish bloom. The affected area dries up and dies. The reason also lies in the excessive moisture content of the soil. Sulfur solution is used as a medicine.
• Bacterial infections... Poorly treatable. They appear as spots on the leaves, which become ulcers. Infected parts are cut off, capturing healthy tissue.
• Viruses... The first sign is the appearance of spots that resemble a mosaic, forming circles and stripes. The diseased flower will have to be destroyed, because the treatment will not give results. Fortunately, viruses are rare.

Orchids captivate many lovers with their delicate beauty. Many believe that only experienced gardeners can grow them at home, but this is not the case. If you carry out the necessary measures on time, following the rules, it will be possible not only to grow an orchid and achieve its flowering, but also to propagate the plant.

Attention, only TODAY!

Orchids require conditions as close as possible to their native ones, so terrestrial species grow on soil, and epiphytic ones - on pieces of bark or in a special substrate. Drainage, for example, must be organized, since fresh air must get to the roots. We will talk about all this below.

What kind of soil is needed

Some orchids grow in the ground even in our country, these are limodorum, orchis, lyubka. They prefer lawns, forest edges, mountain meadows, but if someone wants to grow them at home, then the soil needs to be selected similar. But lovers of home flowers usually grow more exotic species, and phalaenopsis is unlikely to grow in the ground, except for the purpose of experiment.

Novice flower growers often ask questions about what kind of land to plant a tropical orchid, what kind of soil it needs. As a rule, all orchids growing at home receive not food from the soil, but resistance, possibly additional moisture. There must be a constant flow of fresh air to their roots - can you expect this from the lightest earth? Epiphytic orchids settle down to grow on the trunks or branches of trees, they receive moisture and nutrition from the air or from the surface of the tree bark. Their roots absorb moisture during rain, and then use it sparingly, storing reserves of nutrients not only in the roots, but also in the leaves, which in many species are quite thick and fleshy.

The entire plant organism (leaves, trunk, roots) is involved in the process of photosynthesis, so the roots must receive not only air and moisture, but also sunlight. Based on such requirements, for the phalaenopsis orchid, the best solution would be a loose substrate placed in a transparent plastic pot with many holes. Phalaenopsis can be seen planted on a block without any soil.

The Wanda orchid can live without a substrate at all; wicker baskets or glass vases are suitable for it. Dendrobium and Cattleya will prefer a moisture-retaining substrate, while cymbidium can be transplanted into a humus substrate.

Substrate components

The substrate for planting tropical beauties usually consists of components that do not thicken, do not stick around the roots. The base is most often the bark of trees, which does not contain substances hostile to orchids, this is the bark of larch, cedar, pine, spruce or oak. The bark is taken from a fallen dry tree, it should easily move away from the trunk itself, but not contain signs of decay.

Fern root absorbs moisture well, but does not disintegrate for a long time, which makes it convenient for such mixtures. Pieces of cones, husks of hazel, pine, walnuts, sunflower husks are often used.

Sphagnum moss, coconut fiber or chips hold volume well, retain moisture. Peat also meets these requirements, but it makes the whole mixture acidic, dolomite flour is used together with it, they are mixed to transplant land plants that can get food from the soil. For such cases, they still take fallen leaves.

Perlite and vermiculite are taken from the minerals for the substrate, they not only maintain air permeability, but still do not allow the substrate to sour, having some antibacterial properties. Charcoal is used as an antiseptic and absorbent.

When asked whether a special drainage is needed for orchids, they answer with a mandatory layer of expanded clay or foam at the bottom of the pot. Usually it is advised to repeat the same layer in the middle of the dish.

Block landing

The blocks are used for orchids that do not need a substrate at all. It can be made from a piece of bark, foam, wood. But you need to remember that the plant is placed on the base for a long time, this is not a substrate that is changed every couple of years, which means that the base for the block must be strong, light, and not contain substances hostile to the orchid.

The bark can be taken from a coniferous tree, but it is very fragile, brittle. Cork bark or pressed cork work well. But wood must be taken only of valuable species - red, black, "iron" wood, you can still use a piece of mangrove or bog oak. All other options are prone to decay and will do more harm than good. In our conditions, you can take a fern root or a vine.

The prepared block must be properly secured, for this a hole is made, a metal hook or wire is firmly fixed. Then you need to outline the location of the plant, carefully fix it on the block with soft fasteners, it can be a fishing line, mesh, a piece of nylon stocking. Usually, the plant is positioned so that the leaves hang down, this will exclude the accumulation of moisture in the sinuses.

DIY substrate

The easiest way is to buy a ready-made mixture at a flower shop, but you can assemble the substrate for transplanting an orchid with your own hands if you want to take into account all the features of the plant you are planting, the conditions of the apartment.If the air is very dry, then it is advisable to add the amount of moisture-retaining components, for terrestrial orchids - nutritious.

The base is always bark, you can take 5 parts of pine bark (or replace half with bark of a cork tree), 1 part each of moss, coconut fibers and charcoal, add expanded clay.

For terrestrial species, you can take a smaller bark, no more than 2 parts, 1 part each of peat, moss, charcoal, expanded clay and fallen leaves or crushed cones.

You can experiment with self-compiling the substrate, you can even prepare the components yourself. This is done gradually, collecting all the necessary elements that can be stored for a long time.

Pine bark for orchids

Pine bark forms the basis of the substrate; many growers do not use other components, settling their orchids among pieces of bark of different sizes. You can buy it ready-made, dried, cut. Or you can prepare it yourself. To do this, you need to find a tree that fell or felled about a year ago, collect bark from it, which is lagging behind the trunk. It is cleaned of resin and debris, boiled for at least 20 minutes. Then the bark is dried for several days, boiled again. The wet bark is cut into pieces of the desired size, usually 1 cm and 2 cm in diameter.

Boiling can be replaced by a fifteen-minute heating in the oven at a temperature of at least 70 degrees. Such treatment is necessary to get rid of insect larvae and eggs, undoubtedly present in the material.

The bark prepared in this way is dried and stored in linen bags. Before use, it is soaked in water for several hours to restore its ability to absorb moisture.

Video "Preparing soil for an orchid"

In this video, you will learn about which soil is suitable for an orchid and how to make a substrate yourself.