Reproduction methods
Dividing the bush
Dendrobium orchid grown indoors can be propagated by dividing the bush. The plant is divided during transplantation after it has faded. An adult large bush is taken out of the container and divided into parts after the root system is freed from the substrate. At the same time, first you need to carefully untangle the roots, and then those that are very tangled are cut with a sharp disinfected tool. During the division, it must be taken into account that on each division there should be 2 or 3 mature bulbs and the same number of young growths. Places of cuts are treated with garden varnish or sprinkled with coal powder.
Cuttings
Cut the pseudobulb from the parent bush and cut it into cuttings, the length of which should be about 10 centimeters. Places of cuts are coated with garden varnish. Take a tight-fitting plastic bag and fill it with moistened sphagnum. Place one or two cuttings in each bag, then they are tightly fastened and removed to a warm (from 22 to 25 degrees) and well-lit place, keep in mind that the light must be diffused. Air the cuttings every day and make sure that the sphagnum is always damp (not wet). Cuttings will take root after 15–20 days, after which they can be planted in separate pots. The bushes that grow out of them will bloom for the first time after 2 or 3 years.
Dendrobium Orchid! Propagated by cuttings! Simply and easily!
Varieties
There are many types of this plant - they differ in height, color and shape of the buds.
Snow white
Compact white Miltonia (candida) 30-50 cm high, characterized by long flowering - from late spring to mid-autumn.
The flower arrows are long, forming 3-10 buds, which thin the pleasant scent. The petals are elongated, dark brown in color, there may be green spots on the surface. The lip is blue and white, looks spectacular against the background of dark petals.
Clos
The Latin name is clowessii. Height varies from 50 to 70 m. Leaves are long, narrow, light green, not thick.
Peduncles are thin, cylindrical, form several branches, at the top of which buds of 8-10 pcs are formed. This plant is a mix with inflorescences of different shades - the petals are elongated, narrowed, yellow with brown blotches. In the center is a large snow-white lip with a purple or lilac base.
Miltoniopsis moth
The name in Latin is miltoniopsis miltonia phalaenopsis.
The variety was bred by crossing Miltonia with Phalaenopsis. The result is a hybrid that blooms in the second half of summer. Delicate and fragrant inflorescences strongly resemble Pansies.
The flowers are white with red or yellow patterns, the size is 4-5 cm. The flowering period is long - from July to October.
Varshevich
All varieties of Miltonia differ in color and shape.
A beautiful, delicate plant - Miltonia Varshevich (wascewiezii) reaches a height of 30-50 cm with numerous long, flat leaves of a pale green color.
Peduncle height - 35-40 cm.
3-5 buds are formed on one flower arrow. Petals are oval or rounded, light lilac in color.
The size of the inflorescences is 5-6 cm. The flowering period is long - from late May to mid-October.
Brilliant
Miniature brilliant miltonia (spectabilis), originally from Brazil, has a compact height of 20-30 cm. The plant is densely leafy - the leaves are long, light green, thin, belt-like.
Flower arrows are short - form one inflorescence at the top. The petals are dark purple, elongated, pointed at the tip.In the center near the lip is a light lilac petal with purple longitudinal stripes.
The flowering period is from the end of May to the last decade of October.
Yellowish
Another attractive look. The name in Latin is flavescens. An exotic flower, native to Peru, Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil, with an average height of 30 to 50 cm.
Blooms in May, ends in October.
The plant consists of several stems, densely covered with belt-like, dark green leaves. On each flower arrow, a racemose inflorescence is formed from numerous small flowers of a pale yellow tone.
Renelli
The Latin name is regnellii.
The leaves are thin, long, glossy, emerald green. Peduncles are erect, each developing from 3-7 flowers with white petals and sepals;
The lip is light pink, covered with longitudinal purple stripes, has a white border.
Miltassia
Hybrid plant Miltassia (orchid miltassia) 50-60 cm high, forms a large number of belt-like, long, dense leaves of a dark green color. On the flower arrows, one bud opens.
The petals are rounded with a pointed tip, snow-white, some have a purple spot. The lip has a yellow disc at the base.
It blooms from late spring to mid-autumn.
Wedge-shaped
Wedge-shaped miltonia (cuneata) is another short-growing plant (30-50 cm) with numerous, belt-like green leaves, pleases with grace and bright colors from February to March.
The main tone is chestnut or dark brown with small elements of light yellow. The edges of the petals are wavy. The lip is double, large, of a snow-white tone interspersed with a lilac shade.
Main types
Below will be listed those species that are most popular with flower growers and they can be safely purchased at a flower shop and grown in your apartment.
Vuylstekeara
It is a complex hybrid obtained by crossing Cochlioda, Miltonia and Odontoglossum. This graceful orchid on a peduncle can have from 5 to 20 flowers of a fairly large size, which are most often colored red, pink or yellow. It blooms for a long time, about 8 weeks. Flowering begins at the end of the winter beginning of the spring period.
Burrageara
This hybrid is even more complex than the previous one. It was created by crossing plants from the genera Cochlioda, Oncidium, Miltonia and Odontoglossum. The color of the flowers is a variety of combinations of red and yellow shades. The flowers are quite fragrant and their scent is similar to that of a rose. Flowering is observed in the middle of the winter period.
Beallara
This hybrid is obtained by crossing brassia, odontoglossum, miltonia, and cochliodes. Flowering is observed from mid to late summer. The flowers are cream-colored or pink-white-purple, as a rule, on their surface there is a very large number of various dots and specks of dark color.
Colmanara
This hybrid appeared as a result of crossing oncidium, odontoglossum and miltonia. The plant blooms for a long time, 1-3 months. The main color of the flowers is various shades of yellow and red.
Degarmoara
This hybrid was the result of crossing odontoglossum, brassia and miltonia. It has flowers of a rather large size, so their diameter can reach 10 centimeters. Flowering can begin at any time, and it depends on the maturation of the pseudobulbs. Flowers can have a wide variety of shapes and colors.
Odontocidium (Odontocidium)
This hybrid is quite simple and it is obtained by crossing oncidium and odontoglossum. On long peduncles there are up to 50 medium-sized flowers. Flowers can be painted in a wide variety of combinations of yellow and red, while on their surface there are a variety of dark patterns and dots.
Odontioda
This hybrid is also not difficult. It is obtained by crossing odontoglossum and cochliode. The color of the flowers is a wide variety of combinations of yellow and red flowers.
Lighting selection
Not only the vegetation of orchids, but also their flowering depends on the correct lighting. With enough light, flowering intervals of 2 to 6 months can be achieved with regular repetitions every year. If there is not enough lighting for the flower, then it will not only not bloom, but may even die altogether.
Lighting when caring for orchids in a home environment must meet the following criteria:
- It is necessary to apply diffused light. Point sources, even in large numbers, are not very useful for orchids;
- Use of direct sunlight is undesirable. In this case, the plant may get burned, especially in the summer;
- When using natural light, the plant needs darkening. For this purpose, matte glass, translucent plastic or a special mesh are ideal;
- They like long daylight hours - from 10 to 12 hours. If the geographical location does not allow them to be illuminated naturally during such time, artificial lighting is necessary. The best option is to use diffused light from fluorescent lamps;
- In autumn, when the sun is no longer able to cause burns to the plant, shading is not used. As a rule, it is during this period that orchids begin to slow down their life rhythm and go into a state of rest.
An example of artificial lighting
Orchids should not be placed too close to lighting lamps: heat radiation can also burn the leaves!
Additional lighting for orchids
A detailed description of all the subtleties of this issue
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How to choose the right one?
Since the orchid belongs to the category of "capricious" plants, it is important that the selected specimen is not only beautiful, but also healthy
When buying a flower, pay attention to the following factors
Time of purchase
Among orchids, there are both thermophilic varieties and those that are resistant to low temperatures. When planning a purchase, it is advisable to take into account the belonging of a plant to a particular type. If the orchid loves warmth, but it is “minus” on the street, it is better to postpone the purchase of a flower, especially if long-term transportation is necessary.
Place of purchase
It is better to choose a plant in a specialized store, where you can get advice from the seller and a guarantee of the quality of the goods offered.
It is not recommended to buy orchids from supermarkets or large shopping malls. Among the diverse products, flower care hardly meets the necessary requirements. Purchasing over the Internet is also associated with the risk of receiving a substandard product.
If you have the opportunity to buy a plant in a greenhouse, do not miss this chance. First, the conditions in nurseries are as close to natural as possible. Secondly, specialists are engaged in the cultivation of greenhouse exhibits.
Terms and conditions of sale
When visiting a flower shop, pay attention to the conditions in which orchids are kept. Flower racks must be dry and clean
There must be no water in the pan.
It is desirable that the substrate in which the orchid is located is also dry. Then the plant will tolerate transportation better and adapt more easily to new conditions. If moss is used as a substrate, it should not be wrinkled or crumpled.
It is good that the container used for the flower is transparent. This will provide an opportunity to view the root system from all sides.
To make sure the quality of the product, you need to pay attention to each part of the plant in turn.
Root condition
When examining this part of the flower, it is important to know that healthy roots:
- solid;
- dense;
- elastic;
- well developed;
- light gray - before watering;
- green - after watering;
- gray with green tips - during the period of active growth.
The presence of white, black or brown shades is a bad sign, which can be the result of excessive watering or a symptom of an illness.
To make sure that the roots are firmly fixed in the substrate, gently shake the flower pot several times. If the plant is stable, does not roll sideways, then the root system is strong enough and is in a healthy state.
What does the stem look like?
The upright stem, typical of some orchid species, should be straight. A twisted stem may indicate that the flower has been lacking oxygen for a long time.
If the plant has pseudobulbs, you need to pay attention to their appearance. They should not be faded, have a wrinkled surface
What are the leaves?
In a healthy orchid they are:
- clean;
- smooth;
- dense;
- elastic;
- uniform green color;
- with a glossy surface.
When choosing a suitable specimen, it is necessary to inspect the growth point and make sure that it is not damaged. A new leaf growing from the middle is a sign of normal development and proper flower care.
It is not recommended to choose an orchid with sluggish, dull, yellowed leaves. The plant is unhealthy or infested with pests if the leaf plates contain:
- spots;
- plaque;
- dents;
- dark edging;
- drying areas;
- sticky discharge;
- putrefactive processes;
- damage;
- foreign formations.
Normal leaves should be distinguished from overfed leaves. Too large and bright leaf plates may indicate that a large amount of fertilizer was used during the cultivation. With this care, the plant becomes more susceptible to pathogens and may not bloom for several years.
Condition of peduncles
When choosing an orchid, the best option would be a flowering specimen with several unopened buds of different sizes. A change in location can turn into stress for the plant, and then, in case of loss of inflorescences, after a while new flowers will appear. For the same reason, it is better to choose an instance with several peduncles.
A dying shoot indicates the end of the active phase. This means that the flowers will fall off in the near future, and the new bloom will not come soon. You should not buy a plant with damaged, mucus-covered or decaying peduncles.
What flowers? In a healthy orchid they are:
- fresh;
- elastic;
- brightly colored.
If the petals are sluggish, covered with dots or spots, fall off easily, then you should not dwell on this instance.
Purchase
A plant such as an orchid requires the creation of special conditions for itself. But, if everything is done correctly, there should be no problems with it. Taking proper care of a flower means knowing its lifestyle and some peculiarities.
Abundance of choice
It is advisable to make a purchase in a warm season - in spring, summer or early autumn. Before purchasing a plant, you need to carefully examine its root system: almost always orchids are sold in transparent pots, so there will be no problems with this. At this stage, a simple visual inspection and mechanical check of the strength of the roots is sufficient.
Visually, the roots should be uniform, without cracks and dried areas. The strength of the roots is checked by lightly rocking the plant in the pot. If the plant does not hold well, its roots are weak; a strong root system does not cause the stem to wiggle.
The root system of a healthy plant
Leaves should not have yellow areas. It is better not to buy plants with a large number of yellow leaves: this indicates a plant disease or insufficient nutrition. It will be possible to go out, but this will require a significant investment in time.
An equally important issue is the shape of the leaves and their mechanical properties. In a healthy orchid, the leaves should have more or less the same length / width ratio and be firm and resilient. If some of the leaves are noticeably thinner or wider, and also some of them are lethargic, this means that the plant has recently been ill and is not worth buying.
In some cases, to give the plants a more spectacular look when they are sold, they are specially fed with nitrogenous fertilizers. This gives them a very vigorous look, however, in the next few years, this plant will most likely not bloom. If the leaves have a pronounced glossy shine, this is a fairly accurate indicator of the recent application of a large amount of nitrogenous fertilizers.
Also, you should not buy orchids with leaves that have a large number of the following unpleasant signs:
- mechanical damage
- spots of different colors on the leaves
- dents and wet areas
Some orchids have a so-called pseudobulb (thickening on the stem). In no case should it be wrinkled or flaccid.
Pseudobulbs
Naturally, the plant should not have any pests or traces of their vital activity.
In addition, you should pay attention to some additional nuances:
- There must be a tag on the pot with an exact indication of the type / subspecies of the plant or its hybrid. Orchids can vary greatly in terms of keeping conditions, so it is necessary to know exactly the name of the flower that is being purchased.
- If the orchid is sold with props, they must be clean and free of mold or mildew.
- If a blooming orchid is purchased, it is necessary to examine not only the leaves and roots for pests, but also the flower of the plant.
- It is advisable to find out when the orchids were purchased for sale, since it is risky to purchase a plant that has been living in a store for more than a month. Who knows how he was looked after? Problems arising from improper care will not become noticeable immediately, since appearance is not always a guarantee of his health.
It may seem that there are too many rules for buying, however, it is better to approach the issue of purchasing it seriously. Because of one small mistake, I would not want to spend a lot of effort and time without achieving its flowering.
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Types of Miltonia with photos and names
In the genus Miltonia, there are about 20 types of epiphytic orchids. Many varieties have become extremely popular with amateur flower growers, and some are used by breeders to develop new hybrids. There are about 40 intergeneric hybrids, for which Miltonia (white, pink, etc.) and other orchids were used - Comparettia, Aspasia, Oncidium, Brassia, etc.
Miltonia snow-white (miltonia candida)
This is a plant with compressed ovoid pseudobulbs, pointed narrow-elliptical leaves, up to 40 cm long and 4 cm wide. Pseudobulbs grow tightly to each other, below they have 2 pairs of small leaves.
Branched peduncles grow from the axils of the lower leaves, reaching a length of 50 cm. One peduncle contains up to 12 flowers with a yellow-brown color, their diameter is 7 cm. The white lip rolled up in the form of a funnel has purple veins inside. The column is white with a small amount of lilac.
Miltonia clowesii
Miltonia clowes (miltonia clowesii).
This sympodial epiphyte, reaching a height of 56 cm. The pseudobulbs of the plant are narrow oval, slightly flattened, 8-10 cm long. They are located on the rhizome. Leaves with sharp tops of yellow-green color, growing up to 40 cm.
Flowers 8 cm in diameter, collected in a dense brush. The petals are pointed, amber-yellow in color with brown spots and stripes. The lip is white at the top and purple-purple below.
Orchid miltassia
This is a hybrid that was obtained by crossing Miltonia and Brassia. It is grown only at home, because this plant needs specific care. The petals of such an orchid are sharp and long, shaped like stars.
On high pseudobulbs there are 2 lanceolate leaves. The developed lip has a fringed border. It blooms in autumn and spring for 1.5-2 months.
Miltoniopsis moth (miltoniopsis miltonia phalaenopsis)
This plant has pseudobulbs strong and small in size. Glossy lanceolate leaves are light green in color. Peduncles are long, each has 2-7 flowers. The petals and sepals can be purple, bright red, pink, or white.
The flower is decorated with a large lip, which is decorated with various ornaments. It is difficult to care for such a plant, therefore only experienced florists grow it.
Miltonia varshevich (miltonia wascewiezii)
This flower has large inflorescences. The petals and sepals have wavy edges, and they are colored dark red or brown. On top they have a cream or white insert. The large pink lip has a bright spot in the center and a white edging. The plant blooms in spring and blooms for 1.5 years. To achieve this, you cannot cut the peduncle.
Transplanting Miltonia orchids at home
This flower does not like when it is often transplanted. This must be done immediately after the purchase and then after 3-4 years, since during this time the roots grow strongly, and there are no nutrients left in the soil.
If a florist grows Miltonia, then planting must be carried out in the following cases:
- the soil began to smell bad, caked, crushed, salted;
- a large number of aerial roots began to peep out of the pot;
- many dry roots appeared;
- the growth and development of the flower slowed down.
It is necessary to transplant the orchid correctly, therefore, the following recommendations must be observed:
The process of transplanting a flower along with an earthen lump. The pot is chosen small, because the roots of the plant are small;
lay a layer of drainage pine bark, polystyrene and a small amount of pebbles on the bottom so that the pot is stable;
moisten the soil in a flower pot and carefully remove it along with a lump of earth;
carefully lowered into a new container;
pour in a new soil mixture and carefully compact with a wooden stick;
so that the roots do not rot, it is not recommended to deepen them greatly;
too long roots are left on the surface of the substrate.
After transplanting, the flower is not watered for 3 days, but it is constantly sprayed. It is undesirable to feed him within 2 weeks after this procedure. In a transplanted plant, some of the roots that cannot adapt to the new soil mixture die.
In order for the orchid to take root well, it is necessary to create greenhouse conditions for it with high humidity. To do this, cover it with a cut plastic bottle. The root system often takes more than 6 months to recover. Then the protection is temporarily removed, and then completely removed.
How to care?
Home care is very simple. With experience, it becomes easier to determine how a plant reacts to changes in temperature and humidity. How long an orchid blooms depends largely on how well the grower takes care of it. Leaving can be exhausting and sometimes frustrating. The key to success is not only taking into account the advice of professionals, but also being attentive to the needs of the flower during the entire vegetative period.
It is important to remember that orchids are different from most types of plants, so the amount of time spent caring for them is an indicator of a successful result. There is no secret in the maintenance of a flower, it just loves to be taken care of.
Lighting
One of the biggest challenges in growing an orchid is providing it with the right amount of sunlight. Unlike most plants, these need indirect rays. The best place is the east and west window. When black tips appear on the leaves, you need to change the position of the flower, since such changes indicate burns.
Temperature and humidity
Orchids grow best at moderate room temperatures. They can withstand fluctuations of +/- 10 degrees, but no more. It is best to avoid extreme temperature changes or drafts, so it is recommended to keep the pot indoors not on a windowsill during winter.
It is also important that there are no heating elements or an air conditioner nearby, even normal ventilation can negatively affect
Watering
Most orchids should be watered every week. When the soil becomes dry, it is time to moisturize it. The best way is to water from the tap, then let the excess moisture drain through the drain holes. Avoid getting moisture on the crown and leaves.
Top dressing
Orchids are grown in the bark, since it retains the necessary moisture longer, is lighter than ordinary soil, but in such soil there is less nitrogen necessary for the normal development of the flower. The grower is required to feed the orchid and make up for this deficiency. Experts suggest using a water-soluble fertilizer with a higher nitrogen level. To increase flowering, you can take a composition with a high phosphorus content, which begins to give in the fall.
When applied weekly, it is necessary to dilute the solution four times more than what is written on the package. They feed the orchid with fertilizers along with watering, trying not to get on the leaves. Moisten the soil with clean water at least once a month to remove unused fertilizers. When feeding on a monthly basis during the growing season, dilute it twice as much as indicated on the pack.
If the grower notices that the leaves of the orchid are withering, it is because there are too many minerals. This problem often occurs with plants that do not grow in direct sunlight. You can move the pot to a more sunny location and use less fertilizer. If that doesn't work, the problem may be over-watering. Orchids need to be fed regularly as all nutrients are quickly washed out of the soil. Regardless of the composition of the fertilizer, it should contain little or no urea. If a person does not know which dressing to use, it is better to take the one that was used for other flowers in the house.
Urea is the most inexpensive form of nitrogen, which is perhaps why it is often present in finished formulations.
However, it is important to note that the roots are unable to absorb this element, but it helps to use other minerals from the soil with success. Orchids generally respond well to foliar feeding.
However, it is important to dilute the mixture highly and make sure that it does not get on the roots.
Tolumnia orchid care at home
Tolumnia is suitable for home cultivation by experienced orchid growers, and for them it will not be difficult. Inexperienced growers, however, must make every effort to achieve flowering of this plant.
Illumination
This light-loving plant needs bright enough light. The direct rays of the morning and evening sun do not harm this kind of orchid. But from the midday burning sun rays in the summer, she needs shading, because they can leave burns on the surface of the leaves. A window of western or eastern orientation is suitable for placing this plant. It should be remembered that from mid-autumn to mid-spring, the flower needs illumination with special phytolamps.Daylight hours all year round should have a duration of 10 to 12 hours, while the optimal illumination level should be at least 6000-8000 lux.
Temperature regime
The temperature regime for tolumnia is moderately warm, while the daily temperature drops should be well pronounced. The plant will grow and develop best at temperatures ranging from 18 to 22 degrees during the day and 14 to 16 degrees at night. Do not forget that the minimum difference in daily temperatures should be 5 degrees. Only in this case will the orchid bloom.
Earth mixture
Such a flower is grown on blocks, in special hanging baskets, and also in pots. In this case, it is recommended to fill the pots with a mixture consisting of sphagnum and pieces of fine pine bark, they must be taken in a ratio of 1: 5. Blocks are made from large pieces of pine bark. On such a block, you need to fix the root system and rhizome of the plant, not forgetting to first cover them with a not very thick layer of sphagnum.
How to water
Watering is recommended only after the substrate is completely dry. Watering is best done by immersing the container or block in a bowl filled with water. You need to get the flower in 20-30 minutes. It is put in place only after the excess liquid has completely flowed out.
You need to water it with exceptionally well-settled and soft water. Orchidists with considerable experience advise that such water be heated to a temperature of 30 to 35 degrees, and at the same time the flower is best immersed in the liquid during watering as a whole (that is, the pot and the flower). It has been observed that a "hot shower" activates the growth of greenery and the formation of flower buds.
From the end of the autumn to the end of the winter period, this kind of orchid has a dormant period, while in their homeland at this very time there is a dry period. For this period, the plant needs to provide very poor watering. Tolumnia, which grows on a block, must be watered once every 14 days, and grown in a pot - once every 30 days. When the first flower stalks appear, the orchid begins to water as usual.
If the plant does not have a dormant period, then flowering may not occur at all, or it will be very poor.
Humidity
Such a flower does not require too high humidity. So, it can grow and develop normally at a humidity of 45 to 70 percent. To increase humidity, household steam generators and humidifiers are used, as well as systematic moistening of foliage from a sprayer (this procedure should be carried out only in the morning). Also, in the immediate vicinity of the flower, you can put an open vessel filled with water. It is also recommended to pour expanded clay into the pallet and pour in a little water.
Transplant features
It is necessary to transplant tolumnia only if absolutely necessary:
- the block or container has become cramped for the flower;
- the substrate is sour or decomposes, algae have appeared on its surface.
Fertilizer
For feeding, special complex fertilizers for orchids are used, while the dosage must be seen on the package. You need to feed the flower every 5 waterings.
Reproduction methods
To propagate a plant in an apartment environment, you can only divide the rhizome. It should be remembered that the cut will grow and develop better if it has at least 3 pairs of leaves.
In industrial conditions, propagated by meristem (cloning) and by seeds.
Diseases and pests
The flower is resistant to pests. He can get sick as a result of overflow (especially when kept cool). In this case, he develops root rot.
