Exotic colors
These colors include blue and black phalaenopsis, very popular in recent years:
Blue coloration is extremely rare in Phalaenopsis. Natural blue phalaenopsis species have small whitish-blue or pink-blue flowers. They persistently transfer this color to their hybrids;
Phalaenopsis Wanda.
Black Orchid. In nature, there are no plants with black flowers, which is due to the absence of such a pigment in them. All black-tinged phalaenopsis hybrids are actually a rich purple or magenta color.
Phalaenopsis Black butterfly.
What's the Difference: Botanical Description and Definition
Orchid
The orchid is considered one of the most ancient plants growing in the wild. They are not whimsical to the climate, therefore, they are common almost all over the planet, except for the northern part. The largest number of species grows in the tropics. Previously, the plant was grown only by experts in greenhouse conditions, but now, the orchid can be purchased at any flower shop and, with proper care, enjoy the beauty of these flowers at home.
The orchid belongs to the monocotyledonous orchid family. Today, there are more than 35 species of this plant.
The flower got its name thanks to the philosopher Theophrastus. In his scientific research, he discovered that the plant had roots in the form of a paired bulb and named it "orchis", which means "egg" in Greek.
The inflorescence consists of three inner and three outer petals. One of the petals has a long outgrowth filled with nectar, which makes it different from the rest. Orchid leaves are pointed. Insects pollinate flowers, and flowering continues for several months.
For growing at home, you must follow the rules for caring for a flower:
- In summer, the temperature should not exceed + 27C, and in winter it should not fall below + 15C.
- Direct sunlight is harmful to the flower, so the light should be diffused. And in winter, when there is little daylight, you need to use fluorescent lamps.
- You can water with a shower or put a pot in a container with warm water and stand for 10 minutes. Water should not stagnate in the pan, as it can lead to rotting of the root system.
In the East, the flower is used for food, and in Chinese medicine, a tonic and anesthetic decoction is made from the shoots.
Orchid families are divided into types:
- epiphytes (the difference between this species and the rest is that it does not require soil, it can grow on trees, stones);
- ground (grow in the usual way, roots in the ground, leaves on the ground);
- underground (this species grows underground, receiving the necessary nutrition by contacting the root system of shrubs).
Attention! The orchid is considered a terrestrial flower.
Phalaenopsis
Representatives of this genus have dense semicircular leaves (evergreen or marble pattern on the surface). The flower grows only upward, and the inflorescence resembles the shape of a butterfly.
Like all Orchids, this genus prefers a humid, temperate climate. It prefers to grow on a windowsill on the north side. The sun's rays should be diffused so as not to scorch the leaves. If the room is hot, it is necessary to provide the flower with high humidity and good air circulation (you can turn on the air conditioner). Watering is recommended once every 2 weeks, preferably in the morning, so that the earth dries up by evening. We talked in detail about the content of phalaenopsis at home in a separate article.
Phalaenopsis can bloom twice a year.If the plant has stopped blooming, it is necessary to create stressful conditions for it, for example, lower the night temperature, and reduce the day temperature, but only by 3-4 degrees. Noticing that the buds are beginning to form, do not rush to sharply return the previous temperature so that the buds are fixed and buds will soon appear - this should be done gradually. Learn more about the features of phalaenopsis flowering here.
Reference! Phalaenopsis does not like moving, prefers to be in one place.
The main similarities of plants
Since all orchids are classified in the same family, they have some similarities. These include:
- Inflorescence type. All plants of the family have flowers collected in the form of a brush or an ear.
- The flowers have one petal that stands out from the others - the lip.
- Pollinated exclusively by insects.
- Numerous seeds, collected in a box, or berries.
- Seeds germinate only with the formation of mycorrhiza.
Interesting! These traits are common to all types of orchids, with very few exceptions. For example, the famous lady's slipper is also an orchid, but it has single flowers that are not collected in inflorescences.
In general, it is not difficult to distinguish orchids from other plants.
Growing conditions for phalaenopsis tetraspis
This species orchid is rightfully dubbed the Spartan. She can argue with many relatives in the status of an unpretentious and hardy plant. But on one condition - protection from the cold and the right choice of lighting.
In order for the tetrascript to become a truly growing addition to the collection almost by itself, the conditions for it must be selected carefully and correctly. This is a special orchid that loves high temperatures and soft light.
Lighting and placement
For phalaenopsis chetyrehchitkovoy you need bright lighting with diffused soft light, but with sufficient intensity and duration of daylight hours. Best of all, this orchid blooms with a day length of about 12-13 hours. With supplementary lighting in winter, it can bloom tirelessly.
This phalaenopsis species is the most sensitive to direct sun and too bright light. Even for a few hours of the evening or morning sun, he can react like stress.
The best place to place species phalaenopsis, and in particular, tetraspis, remains the northern window sill. Western and southern window sills are unacceptable, the plant will be able to grow only at some distance from the window, but this orchid develops quite well on the eastern window with a scattering screen.
Phalaenopsis chetyrehchitkovy should not be displayed next to varietal phalaenopsis. If you introduce it to the collection of orchids and exotic plants, then it is better to group the plant with other species of orchids. In collections, they look great, they are suitable for large orchid display cases and florariums, all variants of tropical collections.
They are not afraid of the neighborhood of larger plants, which can replace shading screens. When choosing partners, it is worth making sure that they have the same requirements for lighting, temperatures and high humidity.
Temperature control and ventilation
This is one of the most heat-loving and heat-resistant orchids. The ideal mode of keeping for the phalaenopsis tetraspis is considered to be an increased room temperature with a nighttime drop of 5 degrees.
This orchid blooms most luxuriantly at temperatures of about 30 degrees during the day and 25 degrees at night. But ordinary room temperatures with a difference from 22-25 in the daytime to 16-18 at night are suitable for them.
You should not grow phalaenopsis four-shield indoors, where the temperature even at night in winter drops below 16 degrees (and it is better not to let it drop to 18 degrees at all).
This is one of the orchids that love stable heat with daily fluctuations and do not need any changes in temperature at different stages of development. Even for a dormant period, temperatures do not change (in fact, they do not have a dormant period or is almost imperceptible for 1-2 weeks).
Unlike many other orchids, tetraspis is an indoor culture. Because of the thermophilicity and fear of too bright light, you should not take the four-shield phalaenopsis to the balconies or to the garden. Airing for this orchid is carried out very carefully, it does not tolerate drafts and temperature changes during the day.
Phalaenopsis tetraspis 'Purple Blue'. Diana
Diseases
A plant can be affected by a disease at any age, most often it can be:
• black rot (roots rot, the affected areas turn black). Causes: cold temperature, high humidity.
• anthracnose (the whole plant is affected, covered with brown spots and small black dots). The foliage is dying off. The reason is identical with the manifestation of black rot.
• Viruses (more than 50 species are known).
With uneven watering, excess sunlight, hypothermia, overfeeding with fertilizers, overheating as a result of excessive sunlight, the use of a large amount of pesticides, an unbalanced diet - your plant may not look very healthy. Balance the care of your pets, take into account the advice of more experienced flower growers, and then your orchids will delight your eyes for a long time with bright colorful moths flying, as if in the air.
Care
Caring for phalaenopsis hybrids is not particularly difficult even for amateur beginners.
Optimal conditions of detention
Unlike most natural species of orchids, phalaenopsis hybrids are not particularly demanding on room illumination, humidity and temperature:
- they can even grow on the north window; they love diffused sunlight;
- feel comfortable in the temperature range from 10 to 28 ℃. At temperatures above 30 ℃, the plant is provided with ventilation;
- do not need pallets or expanded clay to create additional moisture.
If the air humidity is sufficient, the long green part of the roots is visible.
Transfer after purchase in the store
After purchasing phalaenopsis, the plant does not need a transplant. The first thing to do is to provide the orchid with a two-week quarantine, placing it separately from other plants:
- the place is chosen slightly shaded, where direct sunlight does not penetrate;
- during quarantine, it is not recommended to water and fertilize the orchid.
After quarantine, the plant is exposed to diffused light and watered little by little.
Flowering time and dormant period at home
Under optimal conditions of maintenance and care, phalaenopsis blooms 2-3 times a year, after which it enters a dormant phase.
Its duration depends mainly on the physiological state of the plant and usually lasts several months.
Watering and feeding
Despite the variety of hybrids and varieties of phalaenopsis, caring for them is practically the same:
- the orchid is watered only after the substrate has completely dried: the pot with the plant is immersed 1/3 into a container with water, kept for 20-30 minutes;
- feeding the orchid is necessary only during the active growth of leaves, peduncles and buds.
Important! The period of active growth of an orchid does not necessarily occur in the spring or summer. Some phalaenopsis hybrids do not have a pronounced dormant period.
Stimulating flowering
Phalaenopsis usually blooms after several months of rest. If flowering does not occur for a long time, the peduncle forcing is stimulated:
reduce watering to 1 time per week and create a daily temperature drop of 5-8 ℃.
As a rule, after a couple of months, the plant forms a peduncle.
Pruning after flowering
The most suitable time for pruning an orchid is a dormant period, when the plant completely fades and no more buds form on the arrow. When it is best to do this depends on the type of orchid and the state of the flower arrow:
- the green peduncle is not cut off, new flowers or children are often formed on it;
- if the arrow of the peduncle is brown and dry, it is removed;
- with partial drying of the peduncle, it is cut off to living tissue.
Post-flowering pruning scheme.
Attention! Correct pruning of phalaenopsis is a guarantee of its well-being and regular flowering.
Prevention of diseases and pests
The best disease prevention is the creation of optimal conditions and proper care of the plant. This maintains the plant's immunity at a high level, preventing infestation by pests and microorganisms.
