How to choose an orchid? What you need to know when buying a potted orchid in a store? The most unpretentious species

Where is the best place to buy an orchid

Orchids in the nursery

Today, you can buy any plant not only in a specialized store, but even in any supermarket. Of course, this is convenient, but not always justified, since flowers do not get proper care in large stores.

It is best to approach the purchase of an orchid with all seriousness and purchase it from a small flower shop, where the seller can guarantee the quality of the product being sold and knows the exact name of the orchid you like. The last factor is important, because different epiphytes show their own departure (and orchids are rather capricious flowers).

Plants that grow on other plants are called epiphytes. But they cannot be called parasites, since such specimens extract water from the air and precipitation, and photosynthesis is used to obtain nutrients. Orchids are one of the most famous epiphytes.

Epiphyte Orchid

You can also buy an orchid in a greenhouse (if possible). The advantages of such an acquisition are that in the nursery the flowers grow in conditions as close as possible to natural ones. In addition, orchids are properly cared for in greenhouses. Therefore, such a copy will certainly become the most successful purchase for you.

Some growers order orchids online. This is very convenient, because in this way you can get a copy that you will never find in flower shops: a rare species or a hybrid. But buying plants online also has a flip side of the coin: every time you run the risk of getting a pig in a poke.

Caring for an orchid after shopping in a store

Let's find out how to care for an orchid at home after shopping in a store.

Microclimate change

Caring for a purchased orchid requires care from a grower. It's no secret that keeping the plant for a long time is not good for the plant. Many sellers are very far from knowing the correct orchid maintenance.

After purchasing an orchid, it is necessary to adapt to the changed conditions.

Therefore, over time, without having time to bloom, root rot from excessive watering begins. Even after making sure that everything seems to be in order with the roots, having brought home a beautiful flower, he may begin to hurt from a sharp change in climate.

Adaptation assistance

What to do with a purchased orchid? First of all, the flower must be quarantined separately from other flowers, since pests unnoticed when buying can find themselves in the next 14 days. Moreover, if it is watered, then it is not necessary to water it, let the bark or the soil in which it was at the time of sale dry up.

Moreover, if the apartment is dry, you need to put the flower in a tray filled with expanded clay and water to increase the humidity. Above the water level!

IMPORTANT! By increasing the humidity, you should not bathe it constantly in water, this can provoke rotting of the plant trunk.

Where to place your new pet?

After the orchid is brought from the store, what to do next? In order for a plant to have a chance to live with a grower for more than one year, it is necessary to know and follow certain recommendations for the maintenance of the flower.

The right place is a good plus in the long life of the plant. In a place where direct sunlight falls, for example, on the southern windowsill, the flower will not live, as it will burn the leaves within an hour and go to resuscitation.

And this is a rather long and difficult path. Therefore, you need to choose a place where there will be a lot of diffused sunlight.

The eastern or western windows of the apartment will do, where the sun will not be so hot.But if the apartment is completely south-facing, that's okay, it's even better. Orchids just need to be placed at some distance from the window, and the window itself should be covered with a white cloth or paper for the summer period.

IMPORTANT! For a plant, it is necessary to receive a lot of scattered light for the formation of a peduncle.

Watering

I bought an orchid, what's next: how to water it correctly? If you bought a heavily flooded plant, then it does not need watering, since there is a peat cup inside that retains moisture for a long time. And therefore, with an excess of water, the bottom of the orchid trunk can begin to rot. If in doubt about watering: it is necessary or not, it is better to spray a little the root system located on the surface of the soil.

Transplant and reasons for it

Experienced growers believe that replanting should be done immediately after purchase. Since if you wait until it thrives, harmful insects or rot can completely destroy the root mass. Many do not even remove the flowering peduncle at the same time, since if the roots are in order, then the plant will be able to continue its flowering.

After purchase, it is better to transplant the orchid to check the roots.

If many dead roots are found during transplantation, the peduncle is cut to the first waiting bud. Later, flowering will continue from it or the bush will give a baby. Also, a completely dried peduncle can serve as a support when planting an orchid without the proper number of roots.

Sometimes, after buying a plant, it is clear that it urgently needs a transplant. This can be seen for several reasons:

It does not hold well in a pot;
Or pests have been found.

The presence of sphagnum moss in the ground

Sphagnum moss is sometimes placed under the point of growth of the plant; when watering, it retains moisture for too long. It is good when transporting flowers to sales points, but at home this can lead to decay of the root collar.

Therefore, we remove the moss and if it is in good condition, it can be added to the bark when planting in a new container. But when planting a flower in a pot, large pieces of bark are placed under the root collar so that this place dries quickly after watering.

The plant does not hold in the container

What if the plant does not hold in the pot? If this happened, it means only one thing - the absence of the root system from the bay or overdrying of the plant. Therefore the flower:

It is removed from the container;
And processed according to the case;
Then they begin to build up the root mass in any convenient way.

Root problems noticeable

If this is visible even through the walls of the pot, the flower is required:

It is removed from the container;
And a planting is carried out with a complete replacement of the soil - usually this is a bark with small additions:
1. Sphagnum moss;
2. And charcoal.

IMPORTANT! If root problems are noticed, root treatment should be started immediately so as not to lose the flower.

How to choose a potted orchid when buying?

Let's take a closer look at how to choose the right orchid in the store.

In order to choose a healthy orchid in a pot, first of all, you need to pay attention to how tightly the flower sits in the ground. If, when you try to remove the plant from the pot, it gives in and begins to stagger, most likely this is an indicator of decay of the root system.

If, when trying to remove the plant from the pot, it gives in and begins to stagger, most likely this is an indicator of rotting of the root system.

The second selection criterion is the appearance of the root system. The normal condition of the roots is evidenced by their bright green color. If the roots have changed color to a silvery gray, that's okay, this is also the norm. Only in this case, the plant signals a lack of moisture.

Don't buy a flower with roots:

Dark brown shade;
Or cut off from the rhizome.

Such an exotic won't last long. If small bugs are found in the pot, then the tropical beauty is affected by pests.

In addition, for pests or infectious diseases, it is also worth checking:

Leaves;
And the peduncle.

Types and varieties

What are the best orchids to buy in the store? In order to choose the right orchid, every florist should first of all know that these tropical exotic plants are divided into two main types:

They can be kept cold;
Or warm content.

The first type includes:

Cymbidium;
Paphiopedilum;
Miltonia;
Oncidium;
Cambria.

Warm grades include:

Phalaenopsis;
Dendrobium;
Gemaria;
Dendrobium-phalaenopsis.

The most simple and unpretentious to care for are Phalaenopsis orchids. That is why they are most often chosen by novice gardeners.

Important! Despite the fact that it is quite easy to care for this variety, it is also easy to harm the plant. In order for this exotic to grow and delight the owners with its flowering, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the thermal and light regimes, as well as observe the air humidity necessary for it. Acceptable conditions for keeping Phalaenopsis are:

Acceptable conditions for keeping Phalaenopsis are:

Temperature from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius;
Bright lighting (in this case, it is necessary to avoid direct sunlight to avoid burns);
Humidity of the environment is not lower than 50%;
And other related factors.

Health indicators

First of all, its root system testifies to the health of a flower. Juicy green roots are a clear sign of health. If individual roots have acquired a brown or black tint, then the decay process has begun. Such a plant needs to be transplanted urgently so as not to lose it completely.

After examining the roots, you need to pay attention to:

Leaves;
And the peduncle.

Healthy leaves should be:

Bright color;
Dense;
Without the effect of lethargy;
And also have a natural shine.

A deviation from the norm is the presence of a whitish bloom on the edges of the leaves - a sign of “powdery mildew, small white lumps on the back of the leaf (damage by mealybugs), as well as the presence of other insects.

When examining a peduncle, it is important to pay attention to the presence or absence of black mold at its base. Such a symptom is a manifestation of "gray rot", which urgently needs to be treated with chemicals.

Important! If the selected flower does not have any of the manifestations listed above, then there is nothing to worry about, the plant is great.

For a beginner florist

First of all, beginners should pay attention to the condition:

Leaves;
And the root system.

The second criterion is flowering. On the peduncle, both blossoming flowers and buds should be present. The sign of the health of the buds is:

Their density;
And a natural, fresh look.

Blooming flowers should not look like:

Lethargic;
Have dark spots;
Dots or streaks on the petals.

Such manifestations are a sign of incorrect content, and it is difficult to predict what it may be fraught with.

You can also feel the potted substrate when choosing your first orchid. If the roots of the exotic are bright green, and dew is visible at the bottom of the pot, this is great, then there is enough moisture for the flower.

When buying an orchid, it should look healthy.

But if the topsoil turns out to be wet, this is a clear distress signal:

In the best case, the orchid needs to be transplanted urgently;
At worst, the roots have already completely rotted and nothing can be helped.

Such a flower, of course, is not worth buying.

Key signs of inappropriate store content

Yellowed or limp leaves

It often happens that the orchid, before it was brought to the store, and even at the point of sale, was in unsuitable conditions for growth and development. In this regard, it will certainly have a number of undesirable features.

So, wrinkling or lethargy of the leaves, as well as the presence of a sticky coating on the leaf plate, will indicate that the orchid is seriously ill.Such a plant should not attract your attention.

Important! When buying a flower in a store, you need to be careful, because it is in these places that orchids suffer from improper care of unqualified sellers. Hygiene there is also not up to par, pests and fungal spores are a frequent occurrence for such places.

If the orchid has been there for 1 - 2 weeks, it is unlikely that it will be healthy.

The reddish or yellow color of the leaf apparatus indicates excess illumination. But if the leaves have acquired a dark green color, this indicates that the plant was kept with a lack of light.

The fact that the orchid was kept in conditions of insufficient humidity is indicated by the leaves of the plants folded in an accordion. If there are spots and dots of different nature and configuration on the leaf plate, this indicates that the flower has been damaged by any insects.

Falling buds on a peduncle

An orchid has many reasons to start shedding buds, and sometimes already blossoming flowers. Here are the main ones:

Insufficient indoor humidity for the plant;
Draft;
Lack of light;
Irregular watering;
Temperature violations;
Fertilizer overdose;
Stress from changing conditions of detention;
As a result of plant aging.

If suddenly the orchid has dropped all the flowers, you first need to exclude the above factors. And an aging plant simply does not have enough strength to form flowers.

Brown roots

If, when buying a flower in a store, you remove the bark particles and carefully look at the condition of the roots, then in some cases you can see that the roots are brown and smell rot. This means that the roots of the orchid are susceptible to disease, as a result of which they rot.

Molds in the substrate

The condition of the substrate can tell a lot about the health of a flower. It should be:

Clean;
And without pronounced foci of mold.

Orchids are usually sold in clear plastic flowerpots. Thanks to this, it is possible to examine in detail the substrate for the presence of foci of mold, as well as the entire root system.

A moldy cobweb or green bloom on the bark and inside the pot clearly indicates that the orchid has become overmoistened. A fungal infection and even woodlice can be expected from such a plant.

Dark spots on the root collar

It is also important to inspect the base of the leaves and the root collar, that is, the place from which root growth begins. The root collar and base of the leaves must be absolutely clean and light.

The presence of any suspicious weeping, transparent or dark spots will indicate the defeat of the plant by bacterial or fungal diseases. You do not need to purchase such a flower.

Oncidium - will forgive the lack of watering

The oncidium orchid is the most obvious representative of the tropical orchid. Among the species belonging to the genus, there are both terrestrial plants and epiphytes. Oncidium is very popular with flower growers, not only because of the beauty of the flowers, but also because it is a relatively unpretentious orchid. This is despite the fact that the flower comes from Central and South America.

Oncidium is so named because of the large outgrowth on the lip, which is considered a characteristic feature of most species of this orchid. Translated from Latin "oncos" means "pillow".

Advantages. Oncidium species, which have the largest pseudobulbs, can do without water for a long time. However, this feature should not be overused. The rule for watering oncidium is very simple: if you want flowering, water in a timely manner.

Disadvantages. Compared to many other orchids, oncidium cannot boast such a wide variety of colors. As a rule, the flowers of the orchid are yellow with brown or red spots. Another drawback is that oncidium does not always bloom regularly at home.

Among the most common problems that growers most often face when growing oncidium is its susceptibility to gray rot, as well as the frequent attack of aphids.

Peculiarity. Oncidium is also called "dancing doll". This is not without reason, because the flower of this orchid really resembles the figure of a girl in a wide skirt, who froze, spinning in a dance.

Which orchid to choose? Recently, oncidium and its hybrids are gaining more and more popularity. Most often, curly oncidium and Lanza oncidium are grown in home floriculture.

We have reviewed the most popular orchids with which you can decorate your home or winter garden. But there are other types of orchids available for cultivation: brassavola, brassia, vilestekeara, cambria, encyclia, epidendrum, doritis, lelia, miltonia, vanda. If you are a novice florist, we recommend choosing not natural types of orchids, but hybrids - they are easier to care for and quite viable.

Rules for choosing an orchid in a pot

Information about correct content

How to choose the right healthy orchid? Flower pots in stores should be labeled with detailed descriptions of containment conditions.

To buy a plant free from pests and diseases, you need to ask the seller when the goods were delivered and look at the conditions in which the flower is located.

The shelf on which the flower pots are placed must be dry and clean. There should be no water in the pan, and the pot itself should be:

Transparent;
And have ventilation holes on the bottom and sides.

Straight, non-curved stems

If, when choosing Phalaenopsis, its twisted stem caught your eye, this means that the plant was kept in a room where there was little air for a long time. The lack of oxygen negatively affected the growth and development of the orchid, so the peduncle was bent. Such samples should not attract the attention of the buyer.

Content violations

When purchasing an orchid, you should always pay attention to how the leaves look. If the leaves are healthy, then they should be:

Smooth;
Juicy;
Fleshy;
With a bright green color.

Yellow and sluggish leaves indicate plant disease. In addition, the leaves should not contain:

Dent;
Drying tips;
Or spots of yellow and brown color, uncharacteristic for this variety.

If there is a fringing of the leaves of a brown color, this means that violations of the parameters of air humidity were made where the flower grew.

The yellow color of the lower leaves indicates a lack of nutrients in the substrate or the habitat of the plant was insufficiently illuminated. The presence of sticky drops, light plaque, bumps and spots is also unacceptable. The color of the orchid leaves is uniform.

The middle of the orchid should be completely clean, with no rot or odd spots.

Attention! If a leaf grows from the middle of the outlet, then this is not bad, it is easier to understand if the growth point is still alive.

Dendrobium - does not need flowering stimulation

The dendrobium orchid is native to Australia and New Zealand. Also, in the wild, some species grow in Asia and the Pacific Islands. There are so many species of this orchid that many of them are completely different from each other. For example, some dendrobiums release racemose inflorescences during flowering, while others form rather large single flowers on stems without leaves.

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"Living on a tree" - this is how the name of this interesting orchid is translated from Greek. And although it cannot be said that this feature is inherent only to it, nevertheless this feature is reflected in the name of the genus, which, by the way, has 1.5 thousand species.

Advantages. Dendrobium blooms very beautifully, with proper care at home, giving out many peduncles, strewn with flowers. The orchid blooms in late spring - early summer, sometimes in winter.The flowers of the plant are small, on average they reach 4-7 cm in diameter. Hybrid species are best suited for beginners - they are less in need of any measures to stimulate flowering.

Disadvantages. This orchid loves high air humidity - at least 60%. Therefore, dendrobium needs to be watered and sprayed frequently, especially during shoot growth and flowering. You need to spray the orchid every day, while carefully making sure that no droplets of water linger in the leaf axils (flower buds develop there). In winter, instead of spraying, dendrobium can be placed on wet gravel.

Peculiarity. Dendrobium differs from many indoor orchids by the presence of pseudobulbs (false bulbs) - thickenings in the lower part of the trunk that are responsible for the accumulation of nutrients. In different types of dendrobiums, they can have different shapes.

Which orchid to choose? Since dendrobiums need high humidity, they are most often grown in greenhouses. But there are also species that grow well at home. For example, most often in indoor floriculture you can find King's dendrobium - this is the most popular representative of the genus. Dendrobium Phalaenopsis also enjoys the well-deserved love of florists.

Beginners should pay attention to the dendrobium nobile - it is considered one of the most unpretentious types

What to look for when examining the root system?

Before buying an orchid, you need to check how tightly it fits in the pot. To do this, grab the plant at the base of the stem and slightly move it

This must be done very carefully so as not to break the plant. The orchid should fit snugly in the container.

If it is unstable, it is possible that it was recently transplanted and still has not taken root.

Next, you need to pay attention to the roots of the orchid - they should be dense, elastic and not lethargic. This is the most important part of the plant, which not only absorbs moisture, but also participates in the process of photosynthesis.

In a dry substrate, the root system of an orchid should be light or light green, and in a wet substrate, it should be dark green. Gray or brown roots are a bad sign.

If the root system sticks out a little from the substrate - it's okay. For these plants, it is not necessary that all the roots are necessarily in the ground.

If the orchid is not planted correctly, but the whole plant looks healthy, this specimen is quite suitable for purchase. It's just that later the orchid can be transplanted into a more spacious container. It does not interfere with examining the pseudobulbs.

A pseudobulb is a thickening in the lower part of the stem, which is characteristic of some types of orchids (cattleya, dendrobium, oncidium, cymbidium). Thanks to him, the plant survives under adverse conditions, storing water and nutrients. Also, the pseudobulb promotes the growth of new shoots and is responsible for ensuring that at the time of flowering the plant does not give all its strength exclusively to the formation of buds. Pseudobulbs should not be shriveled and withered.

If a support is inserted into the pot to keep the orchid stable, it should be free of mold.

First steps after acquisition

How to bring a plant home during a cold season?

Drafts are absolutely contraindicated for orchids.

It doesn't matter if they are cold or not. In this connection, it must be delivered home, having previously well packed

To do this, it is enough to use traditional wrapping paper or even newspaper folded in 2-3 layers.

Heat for an orchid can be even more dangerous than cold. Therefore, it seems important to correctly plan both the time of buying a flower and the method of its delivery to your home.

Watering

Having delivered a pot with an orchid from the store home, there is no need to rush to water it or fertilize it with mineral fertilizers. Watering is started when:

Condensation will disappear from the walls of the pot;
And the roots will acquire a silvery color.

It is also not recommended to rush with fertilizers; at first, the plant will have enough of the nutrition that is in the pot. The first feeding can be done 30-40 days after purchase.

The first 3-5 days after the purchase, the orchid is not watered, except for cases when the plant has been on the road for a long time and looks lethargic when the substrate is clearly dry. Here watering is necessary with a small amount of warm and soft water.

Water the orchid with soft water.

In the future, the need for watering is determined by the state of the substrate. But during the adaptation of a plant to a new room, it is better to underfill than to overflow. Lack of moisture can always be replenished, and excess water will lead to root rot.

Transfer

What are the first steps to take after purchasing an orchid in a store? If possible, you should not rush to replant the purchased orchid, because after the transplant, the flowers fall off faster. So, if the substrate is still satisfied, you can continue to use it for a while. In order for more air to flow to the roots, it is allowed to partially remove pieces of bark from the substrate.

But there are times when you cannot do without a transplant. For example, if the roots are in a deplorable state, then the transplant must be done no matter what

An unimportant state of the root system may be indicated by:

Nasty putrid smell, it should not be confused with the smell of damp bark;
Or when it is seen through the walls of the pot that the roots of the plant do not have a clear shape, this indicates the beginning of rotting of the roots.

However, experienced flower growers still transplant the plant after it has faded, and here's why:

Unscrupulous suppliers plant the orchid on wet foam rubber during transportation, placing it under the bottom of the flower between the roots;
The buyer, not knowing about this surprise, continues to water the orchid after the substrate has dried, but the foam rubber does not have time to dry out;
A constant high level of moisture at the roots causes root rot and the plant dies.

Therefore, it makes sense to transplant after purchasing an orchid in order to maintain its health.

There are several more cases when an emergency transplant is required immediately after purchasing an orchid:

The roots of the plant are damaged or rotten;
The purchased orchid is planted in moss (needs to be transplanted into the bark);
The substrate has an unusable appearance (the bark is rotten and crumbles or, on the contrary, is strongly compacted);
The plant "dangles" in the pot - a transplant is needed to find out the reason.

Choosing a place of residence

After returning from the flower shop, you should find a suitable place for your new flower. It should be well lit, but not in direct sunlight. Otherwise, the leaves of your flower will be immediately burned.

If the room in which the orchid will live has insufficient air humidity, it is recommended to put the flower pot on a pallet with wet expanded clay. Every morning you will need to spray the plant with a spray bottle.

When spraying, you must carefully look so that drops of water do not fall on the flowers, in the axils of the leaves and in the center of the outlet. Failure to do so can cause unwanted rotting processes in these parts of the plant.

Advice! After spraying, blot these areas with a dry cloth.

Quarantine measures

Even if no visible flaws are found, a new orchid specimen should be isolated from other indoor plants for a period of 2 to 5 weeks and looked after.

It is better to install it in another room, but if this is not possible, place the pot with the purchased orchid at a distance from the rest of the flowers, even if in a less bright place than is required for this species. The flower will not suffer from this: during the period of adaptation to new conditions, it is advisable to exclude both direct sunlight and bright diffused light from falling on it.

From the history of orchids

Many titled and wealthy flower lovers, especially in England, dreamed of getting them in their greenhouses, but all attempts to deliver orchids across the ocean safely failed - the flowers died, despite the best soil and careful care during the sea voyage.

The fact is that neither the gardeners themselves, nor the orchid hunters they hired, had no idea about the conditions in which they should be grown. Once, while bitterly examining the dead orchids brought from South America, one experienced florist noticed in the corner of the hold a blooming, completely alive orchid, which was growing on some kind of debris from bark, chips, etc.

Orchids grow mainly in countries with tropical climates, and European growers began to create conditions for them in greenhouses and greenhouses, which, as they believed, were the flowers at home: high humidity, high temperature, lack of fresh air.

It took a hundred years for them to realize that flowers needed fresh air, not a steam room. Orchids responded to this with exuberant flowering and finally won the hearts of amateur gardeners.

The demand for orchids grew at an incredible pace, as did their cost, because they were equipped with entire expeditions that had to search in the little-explored South American jungle, where orchid hunters at every step were in danger in the form of snakes, Indians, tropical fever, and even bullets from a rival expedition.

Orchids of the family Apostasy

It happened that, having discovered a new, especially luxurious type of orchid, the hunters for this flower collected the required number of specimens, and the rest were ruthlessly destroyed so that rivals would not get it.

In England, orchids have become cult plants, a testament to their special status in high society; the queen herself was invited to see the most unique orchids bloom. They were even put up for auction, and wealthy orchid lovers bought them for big money.

Most often, an orchid is presented in a gift box, but in a pot. These flowers are rarely cut, because in a pot they can grow and bloom for years, delighting the owners with their beauty.

If you were presented with an orchid in a pot, then this can be the beginning of a hobby for a lifetime, because this flower has many varieties, and in terms of the number of colors it surpasses all other flowers.

Necessary conditions for keeping at home

What to do with a newly purchased orchid? In order for the plant to grow well and build up its vegetative part, it is necessary to create acceptable conditions for growth.

It is necessary to create comfortable conditions for the orchid.

Temperature

Since this is a tropical plant, low temperatures during cultivation will not work for it. The only exceptions will be species growing in mountain ranges. Therefore, according to temperature preferences, the flower is divided into three groups:

Lovers of low temperatures - they grow in the subtropics and the temperature regime is necessary within no higher than 21 degrees Celsius;
Medium temperature - growing in mountainous tropical conditions, the regime should be within 13-20 degrees Celsius;
Heat-loving - inhabitants of the tropical plains prefer temperatures in the range of 18-32 degrees.

Air humidity

Since it is a resident of tropical forests, the air humidity should be 70-80%. To increase humidity, you can:

Put on wet expanded clay;
Wipe the leaves with cotton swabs dipped in water;
Spray on foliage, but after that it is necessary to remove moisture from the sinuses of the plant.

Lighting

As already mentioned, this is an epiphytic plant growing on tree trunks under their lush crown. Therefore, the lighting should be diffused. The plant will also not live in full shade, since it needs light for photosynthesis.

Watering

Watering is done only with soft water. If the water in the region is hard, it can be softened by boiling. When watering, the water should be warm, as cold will stress the plant, and it will be able to dry out the roots.

IMPORTANT! The frequency of watering will be prompted by dried bark and lightened roots. In summer, with hot temperatures - this is about 1 time per week

And in winter, if the room is cold, then 1-2 times a month.

Top dressing

Careful care of the newly purchased orchid is necessary. Therefore, sometimes after purchase, an orchid is transplanted to check the root system for pests. You should not feed orchids during flowering, as this will shorten their flowering period. Top dressing begins a month after transplanting, when active vegetative growth of the plant begins.

It is necessary to feed the orchid one month after the transplant.

Fertilize only with fertilizers labeled "For Orchids".

IMPORTANT! Fertilizers are applied only after watering to wet roots so that the root system does not burn out from fertilizers.

Fertilizers and lighting

To prolong flowering, do not feed the flower with any fertilizer intended for this plant. Any dressing will reduce flowering and the flowers will begin to wither.

In order for the plant to bloom for a long time and beautifully, it should be fertilized during the vegetative growth of the plant, when new leaves are forming. Fertilize the beauty until the first bud is formed. As soon as it begins to fill with a form, feeding is stopped.

Moreover, during flowering, which usually occurs in winter, it is necessary to choose a place so that the plant has a lot of diffused light. Deep shade can shorten flowering time.

In winter, on the northern windowsill, the flower may not have enough lighting, especially if old trees grow in front of the window, blocking the light. In this case, it will be necessary to organize additional lighting with special lamps.

IMPORTANT! Orchids prefer a lot of ambient light, which they need for good flowering.

Description of the Phalaenopsis orchid

The homeland of the orchid is the hot and humid tropics, thanks to such conditions, the phalaenopsis is distinguished by its beautiful and abundant flowering of various colors and shapes. In real life, orchids live on tree trunks or on rocks; this type of life activity refers the flower to the genus of epiphytes.

Phalaenopsis has a developed root system, roots are round, up to 0.5 cm in diameter. The deciduous cover is green, the leaves themselves are fleshy, smooth, green in color and oval or ellipsoidal in shape. The orchid blooms 2-3 times a year, the flowering is long, up to 3 months, the dormant period is not clearly marked.

Species diversity

There are 70 main varieties of orchids, while there are many more hybrids. Conventionally, there are giants up to 1 m in height, and dwarfs no more than 30 cm. The color scheme is varied, there are white, yellow, purple, crimson and others.

Step-by-step instruction

Who from flower lovers does not want to know how to choose the right orchid, while it does not really matter whether a flower is bought as a gift, or home

Let's consider in detail, you should pay special attention to one hundred when buying

Root inspection

The most important part of an orchid is its roots, since in addition to nourishing the plant and moisturizing the leaves, they are involved in photosynthesis. Healthy roots are light green if the substrate is dry, and dark green if the flower is watered.

Healthy roots are light green if the substrate is dry, and dark green if the flower is watered.

When inspecting the plant, gently pull the outlet, if the roots are healthy, then you will feel resistance, in which case you can opt for this specimen.

Leaf appearance

When examining the foliage, it is sometimes difficult to determine the health of any type of orchid, since the color of the upper part can be very different for different varieties. In this case, it is worth paying attention to the color saturation - the leaves are thick, fleshy, glossy with a bright color - the plant is overfed with fertilizers and it will not bloom.

Inspect the growth point, there should be no damage on it. Also, weeping spots and lesions should not be observed on the foliage.

Peduncle condition

Often the choice falls on a flowering plant. Therefore, carefully examine the peduncle. It is better to buy a culture that, in addition to flowers, also has unblown buds.

Flowers should not only be bright, but the foliage on them should be elastic. It is better not to buy an orchid with dull flowers.

Signs of disease or pests

Signs that can tell about orchid diseases:

plaque on the leaves in the form of fluff;
spots on leaves of different sizes are brown or black;
moist ulcers;
brown roots;
rotten growth point.

Insects can start on the flower, signs of damage are as follows:

outgrowths and tubercles on the inside of the leaf is an infection with a scutellum;
cobweb on the leaves - spider mite;
the silvery film bloom on the inside of the leaf is thrips;
the roots are damaged - they were eaten by the many-tails;
holes in the leaves are biting.