Orchid care at home. flower appearance and growth in nature

Dendrobium at home

If the dendrobium you bought is poorly fixed in the pot or the substrate spills out of the container, the plant can be transplanted immediately without postponing this procedure indefinitely. It is worth taking a plastic pot for an orchid, measuring 20 × 15 cm.To make it easier to observe the condition of the roots, it is better to stop the choice on a transparent container. If there are no drainage holes in it, they need to be made as many as possible so that the roots do not suffocate.

As for the substrate, for dendrobium, you should choose a pine bark of the middle fraction. On top of it, you can lay a layer of sphagnum moss. Do not forget about drainage, which can be used as expanded clay.

It is best to replant orchids before they enter the new growth phase. The main rule when transplanting is to respect the roots of plants. Since orchids are most often transplanted from a smaller container to a larger one, new pots should be taken 1-2 sizes larger. If any of the specimens grows on the block, it is not necessary to transplant it - it is enough just to tie a new sphagnum to the bar from time to time. Many growers advise replanting orchids immediately after purchase, but in fact, the feasibility of this procedure depends on the condition of the plant.

For the first time, you need to water the dendrobium 6-7 days after purchase. Subsequent watering should be done at the same interval. In order for the roots to receive enough moisture, the orchid can be soaked for several minutes together with the pot in a container with ordinary running water. Then you need to let the excess liquid drain and only then return to its usual place.

It is better to spray dendrobium only on the surface of the soil or around the pot. Leaves and bulbs should not be moistened once again - this can lead to the development of rot.

When choosing a place for dendrobium, it is worth staying at the sunniest window in the house. The plant loves natural diffused light - therefore, the purchased orchid must be shaded. To do this, you can use lightweight fabric (tulle), paper or metallized film. These materials will allow you to achieve soft, diffused light.

Bulb Orchids

There are quite a few beautiful orchids with pseudobulbs. But not all of them can be grown in an apartment or house. Even with great opportunities. Serve some conservatories with appropriate conditions. But there is plenty to choose from.

Zygopetalum (Zygopetalum)

Guest from South America. There are a total of 15 species of them.

The temperature for growing it is from 15 to 28 degrees. Can even be placed on northern windows. But he loves backlighting.

Zygopetalum.

Paphiopedilum (Paphiopedilum) or "Lady's slipper"

A diffused light suits him. Temperatures of 17-24 degrees are quite satisfactory for him. Transplant only if necessary.

High humidity must be maintained in the summer. But without spraying. It is better to water by dipping the pot. Venus Shoes bloom for almost 2 months.

Paphiopedilum.

Cattleya

They love this orchid for its multi-colored and huge flowers. And for the fact that she can be kept in the summer and on the balcony. With good air circulation.

It is necessary to transplant after 2 years. Water the pot by immersion for 10-15 minutes.

Cattleya.

Cymbidium

A large orchid can grow up to a meter in height. And the flowers are up to 13 cm in diameter. He doesn't like high temperatures. When flowering, 19-23 degrees is enough for her. And at night, five degrees less.

On sale they offer more often its miniature copies. After watering, let the roots dry out.

Cymbidium.

Dendrobium

Quite often, flower growers acquire it. He adapts well to the conditions of an ordinary apartment. Place on southern windows without fear.

But the difference between day and night temperatures is necessary for it to bloom.

Dendrobium.

A bit of origin history

According to scientists, the first plants that could be ranked among the Orchid family appeared more than 100 million years ago. There are many legends associated with the origin of the flower, one of them claims that the orchid is the fragments of a rainbow that crashed in the sky. Another says that the first flower grew where the ancient Greek goddess Aphrodite dropped her elegant shoe. The name of the plant is interesting, translation from ancient Greek means "egg". This is probably due to the peculiar shape of the rhizome.

In Europe, the flower appeared about 180 years ago and its history is no less interesting. It is believed that at the beginning of the 19th century, a European lover of tropical plants, whose name, unfortunately, remained unknown, received the stems in a package. They were used by the sender as packaging material. Out of curiosity, he planted these plants in the garden and after a while was surprised to find an unusual, delicate purple flower.

Over time, orchid cultivation has reached a commercial level, and many different varieties have been developed by botanists. Thanks to the tireless work of breeders, not only in the garden, but also on the windowsills, such an exotic flower as an orchid has appeared, which is not easy to care for at home, but it is quite possible.

Cymbidium at home

After bringing the cymbidium home, place it on a light-colored windowsill, but not in direct sunlight. To prevent leaf burns, the plant must be shaded with cloth or paper.

When placing an orchid in an apartment, keep in mind that the cymbidium should not overheat during the day. Therefore, for the plant, you need to choose a place where fresh air will circulate well. However, the cymbidium must be protected from drafts. In general, all orchids are afraid of cold air - this must be remembered when planting an epiphyte in the house.

You should not place the orchid where there is a sharp temperature drop. In order for the cymbidium to adapt well after moving out of the store, it should not be stressed. Although at night the temperature may drop slightly (by a few degrees). This is beneficial for most orchids, as a slight drop will provoke flowering. Well, what florist doesn't want to see an orchid in all its glory?

Orchids are tropical plants, so low temperatures (below 12 ° C) are contraindicated for them. Although among indoor epiphytes there are also orchids of mountain regions that can live in relatively cool climates, it is still not worth experimenting. When choosing the right temperature for an orchid, it must be remembered that too hot a climate for these plants is also not suitable. The optimum temperature for keeping orchids is considered to be 20-25 ° C. But insignificant differences (by several degrees) in day and night temperatures contribute to the distillation of peduncles.

Immediately after purchasing, the cymbidium must be watered. After that, the substrate should be moistened regularly - once a week, soaking the flower pot for 10 minutes in water. Before returning the cymbidium to the place of detention, you need to allow excess water to drain. There is no need to feed the orchid immediately after purchase.

The subtleties of caring for an orchid at home

The orchid begins to bloom in about one and a half to three years.

As soon as the buds have formed, care must be taken to create a reliable support for the peduncle so that the plant does not break under the weight of the blossoming flowers.

The supports can be selected from plastic or wood. The flowering period of an orchid for home care can be several months.

Conditions for flowering

The orchid starts flowering when the difference between day and night temperatures is between 4ºC and no more than 10 ºC.

This is often observed in apartments with central heating, this happens in the fall, when the outside temperature is already quite low, and heating in the apartment has not yet been provided.

Another option is a cold snap in May. Such stressful situations for the orchid are the impetus for the beginning of the flowering phase.

You can artificially do this situation yourself if you move the flower pot to a cool place with a temperature of at least 15 ºC. This situation will stimulate the ejection of the peduncle so that it blooms.

How to prolong flowering?

1. Do not move or rotate the plant pot.
2. Provide adequate lighting with photo lamps.
3. Change the frequency of feeding the plant up to 1-2 times a week.
4. Increase watering frequency and water temperature, preferably in the form of a warm shower simulating tropical rain.
5. Some are interested in such a question as transplanting a blooming orchid. During flowering, it is better not to touch the plant so that the orchid does not drop flowers and stop the flowering period.
6. In everything else, observe all the principles of caring for the plant, as in the period when the plant does not bloom.

Pruning and caring for orchids after flowering

When the orchid stops blooming, some care is required.

When the peduncle dries up completely and turns black, it needs to be pruned at the base and removed.

Common hybrids (photo)

In order to properly care for an orchid, it is worth considering the peculiarities of its origin. This variety appeared as a result of crossing representatives of several botanical genera:

• Miltonia,
• Odontoglossum (Odontoglossum),
• Brassia and some others.

As a result of complex work, a new variety of orchids appeared, which scientists have named

× Degarmoara. The complex name did not catch on with the producers, and they renamed this group to Cumbria. Under this sign, they can be found in flower shops. Different suppliers can detail the origin of the orchid with the terms Beallara, Aliceara, Bakerara. In any case, we are talking about cambrian hybrids.

Orchids of the hybrid group Cumbria (x × Degarmoara).

This type of orchid is characterized by sympoidal growth.

Pseudobulbs have an oval, slightly flattened, fusiform shape. At their ends, 2-3 narrow leaves are formed, up to 50 cm long.

Like all orchids, the roots are covered with velamen, a specific tissue that can absorb nutrients in a gaseous state.

The size, shape and color of flowers depends on which species and varieties were involved in the selection.

Most of all, flower growers loved these hybrid forms:

The participation of several plants in the breeding process explains the diversity of the appearance of the hybrids. Also, the care for them may differ, but, in most cases, the growing conditions are the same. Let's tell you more about them.

Errors

The orchid has a solid reputation as a flower that is very difficult to care for. This is not true

The orchid loves attention (but not excessive), care and adherence to the above basic rules. Many beginners, seeing a yellowed leaf, begin to re-read all the literature on diseases, and, having found similar symptoms, begin to intensively treat the plant, and sometimes they just throw it away.

And behind the yellowed leaf was a banal non-compliance with the requirements for the maintenance of the orchid. Some people perceive the orchid more as an element of the interior of the room, without thinking about the fact that they are facing a living organism with its own needs.

Orchid bulbs

Purpose and how to distinguish from a pseudobulb

The many different types of orchids share some common traits. What unites them:

• A group of orchids with a monopodial growth type:
  • The apical bud, which is also the point of growth, grows continuously only upward throughout the life of the shoot;
  • It disappears only with aging;
  • The peduncle emerges from the lateral buds in the leaf axils. Various perennial leaves;
  • The brightest representatives of such orchids are Wanda, Phalaenopsis.

Phalaenopsis are orchids with a monopodial growth type.

• Orchids with sympodial growth:
  • Rhizomes (rhizomes) grow horizontally. Stems (shoots) grow from them. Each of them reaches a certain height and stops growing;
  • The apical bud ends in inflorescence or dies off. A new shoot begins to form at the rhizome;
  • The stems are thicker at the bottom:
    • For a long time, stem-like, thickened tubers in the form of bulbs were called bulbs. Bulbus (lat.) - onion;
    • All such thickening of orchid above-ground shoots are also called bulba. But with the prefix pseudo. So it turns out - a false bulb. Or a false bulb;
    • And fans of orchids with experience call them tuberidia. Or an air tuber.

• Cymbidium and Odontoglossum have pseudobulbs with heights ranging from a few millimeters to 20 cm;
• At Dendrobium, they grow up to 4 meters;
• In other orchids, it is difficult to call it a bulb or a bulb. And the pseudobulb will be more accurate;
• Such orchids cannot do without pseudobulbs:
  • The supply of nutrients and moisture accumulated in them provides the plant with the growth of leaves, stems and peduncles. Their bloom. And also reproduction. Especially during dry periods;
  • Bright green bulbs also have phytosynthetic functions.
• The shape and size of the bulbs are noteworthy:
  • Flattened and rounded;
  • Elongated (tapered);
  • Ovate and even club-shaped;
  • Multistage (several internodes) and single;
  • Small bulbs and huge bulbs.
• Healthy bulbs are firm and firm. This provides her with a strong epidermis:
  • In the middle, like a filler, dense mucus;
  • From above, some part of the scales may be dried up;
  • They are usually gray-green or brownish. They even smell of greenery. Someone even resembles a cucumber.

Cellogin bush.

They also retain their vital functions in different ways. Alone for only a year. Some and more than 10 years.

Role in reproduction

Most sympodial orchids are propagated by bulbs:

• Dendrobium;
• Cattleya;
• Cambria;
• Oncidiums;
• Zygopetalum;
• Tselogin;
• Cymbidium.

To do this, it is enough to divide the bush of an adult plant into several bushes. After flowering and in the spring, such divisions and plantings are more effective.

Important! Growers do not recommend planting less than 2-3 bulbs. Such plants take a long time to harden.

And they are in no hurry to bloom.

From vietnam

In total, two types of orchids grow in Vietnam. Epiphytic ones find places to live in trees.

Terrestrial orchids attract particular attention. But not only flowers with a sophisticated scent

And also with unusual bulbs:

• They are quite large. Those who come from Vietnam often buy the bulbs of local orchids. They are purchased as a souvenir;
• And upon arrival they ask: “What to do? How to plant and grow? "

And these are the Pafiopedilum varieties:

• Vietnamese;
• Appleton;
• Siamese;
• Beautiful;
• Bearded;
• Elena and others.

Paphiopedilum is beautiful.

Take into account! The bulbs of these orchids should be planted without delay. If it's just an onion

If this specimen purchased in a container has sprouts, do not rush to transplant. Let it grow.

Watering orchids at home

Watering is a determining factor in the successful growth and flowering of your beauty. In nature, the vast majority of orchids are not in water and do not tolerate prolonged moisture stagnation. Watering orchids at home boils down to creating conditions for the plant that are close to real ones. To do this, you need to know what species your orchid belongs to. "Phalaenopsis", "Pafiopedilum", "Odontoglossum", "Cymbidium" always prefer a slightly wet, but not wet substrate, but the soil for "Oncidium", "Dendrobium", "Cattleya" must be dry before watering.

In addition, factors such as air temperature and humidity, lighting intensity, pot size, substrate composition, and the phase of seasonal vegetation also affect the intensity of irrigation.
Orchids are epiphytic plants, so they can briefly endure overdrying of the soil.
But with systematic irrigation, the orchid will begin to wither and wrinkle the leaves, and with an excess, there is a high probability of rotting of the root system, and the formation of yellowness along the perimeter of the leaf.

Water the orchid preferably with soft water. The ideal option would be pre-settled rainwater in summer and melt in winter. You can also boil tap water.
The water temperature for irrigation should be 2 - 3 degrees warmer than the surrounding air.
In summer, the orchid is watered 2 - 3 times a week, when the outer layer of the substrate dries up. In winter, watering is reduced to a minimum of 1 - 2 times a week; a slight wrinkling of the pseudobulb will serve as a signal to tolu.

An orchid planted in a pot is watered from above, and immersed in blocks or baskets in water for 3 to 5 minutes. In both cases, it is necessary to allow excess water to drain, in no case to prevent its stagnation.

Reproduction of orchids

Despite the exotic nature of the plant and the relatively difficult care of orchids, it can be very successfully propagated at home. Even though orchids produce a lot of seeds, their main method of reproduction is vegetative. There are several ways to reproduce orchids in this way:

There are never too many flowers

With the help of the offspring of the stem

With a sufficient content of nitrogen, which stimulates the vegetation of plants, additional lateral shoots, the so-called "babies", begin to form. As the roots appear in the children, they can be separated and planted separately. Before that, each shoot should be treated with charcoal powder.

Newborn "cub"

Using cuttings

Grown up additional shoot, ready for planting

The method is more complicated, but it allows breeding without waiting for additional shoots to appear. In this case, an shoot with a length of 10 to 15 cm is taken and cut off with a knife. Before this, the knife should be disinfected.

The cut on the plant should then be sprinkled with charcoal.The cutting must be planted in a nutritious substrate or soil with the cut down. Further, caring for him is similar to caring for a regular orchid. Typically, over 80% of cuttings root well and survive.

Cutting the cutting.

By dividing the root

One of the most common methods, suitable for all orchids, without exception. The main thing is that the rhizome is sufficiently developed. It consists in dividing the rhizome into 2 (or more) parts, each of which must have at least one pseudobulb (thickened part of the stem).

The cuts are sprinkled with charcoal, and each plant is planted in its own pot. Flowers should be watered daily until new shoots appear. After that, you can proceed to the normal watering regime.

Splitting the root

Reproduction of orchids

Detailed description of this issue

8.4
Total Score

Home orchid

8.3 Average score

Ease of care

7.5

Appearance

8.5

Bloom

8

Originality

9

8.5 User rating

Ease of care

5.2

Appearance

9.8

Bloom

9.7

Originality

9.4

pros

• Orchid can be a decoration for your hearth
• Abundance of species and all kinds of color options

Minuses

Regular care is required

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