Cattleya at home, varieties

Description and varieties of orchids

In nature, there are several hundred species of orchids, but only a few of them are well suited for growing in our strip at home:

1. Phalaenopsis. The most popular genus of orchids, characterized by unpretentious care, and an unusually rich palette of colors. Most often found in stores, especially on the eve of a women's holiday. On the peduncle there is a large number of flowers of rather large sizes, which bear some resemblance to the wings of a butterfly. Hence its name phalania, translated from Greek it says "moth".
2. Paphiopedilum. This species of the orchid family, also known as the Lady's Slipper, came to us from East Asia. Very unusual in shape, bright flower, quite capricious in care. But if you wish, you can tame it too. On the peduncle, as a rule, there are 1-3 large flowers. A distinctive feature of the plant is the original shape of one petal - a lip that resembles a shoe.
3. Cattleya. Due to its beauty, it can rightfully be considered the queen among orchids. In nature, the habitat of these plants is very diverse, some live on the trunks and branches of trees, others are found in the mountains and grow in rocky faults. This is the reason for the difference in nutrition and care of different types of Cattleya. It takes patience to get this plant to bloom at home, but the result will be worth it.
4. Dracula. A very spectacular flower that fully justifies its name, almost black in color. On one peduncle, it can release up to 5 flowers one after the other, in shape resembling the mouth of a dragon. It is known for the fact that in nature it is pollinated not only by insects, but also by bats.
5. Dendrobium. The exact translation of this species of orchids is “tree-dwelling”. It is considered the most numerous and diverse in the orchid family. Flowers differ in a wide range of colors, shape and size, can grow upwards or hang down with a brush, but they all have a characteristic feature, this is a protrusion of the spur-like lip, the so-called "chin". Dendrobium blooms so richly and violently that a donated pot with this plant may well compete with the most huge and expensive bouquet of cut flowers.
6. Aganizia. The smallest genus of orchids. The plant is undersized, the peduncle reaches a length of no more than 15 cm. The flower resembles a cattleya in shape, and, although small in size, it can quite compete with it in beauty.

Features for some species

Cymbidium

This terrestrial epiphyte is planted every 3 or 4 years. The reproduction procedure, planting is carried out immediately after flowering. One of the important conditions for reproduction is the presence of at least 6 pseudobulbs in Cymbidium. The plant is divided into sectors 3-4 pseudobulbs with leaves and roots, dead roots are removed and planted in a new container with prepared soil mixture.

Cambria

Cumbria, like many orchids, has a negative attitude towards transplants. A planned transplant is performed every 2-3 years, depending on the condition of the substrate.

Reproduction is carried out with bulbs. In this case, the bulbs are carefully separated from each other, taking care not to damage the roots. If the roots are damaged, then they must be treated with crushed activated carbon or cinnamon.

For good stability and rooting, they should:

• Fasten to the support stick;
• And do not water for a week.

Cattleya

The procedure for transplanting and reproducing is based on the same principles as for other species when dividing a bush.It is better to perform such a procedure during the planned transplantation every 2-3 years, during the period of the beginning of active root growth:

• The plant is removed from the container;
• Soaked;
• Cleans up;
• And processed;
• Then the rhizome is divided so that each part has at least 3 bulbs;
• And after processing and drying, it is planted in a container prepared in advance.

Wanda

If in nature Wandas can reproduce not only vegetatively, but also by seeds, then at home, seed reproduction is impossible. The transplant is carried out in the same way as most orchids, every 2-4 years.

The most effective method for planting Wanda is considered to be the separation of children, or as they say, root rosettes, from the mother plant. Of course, it is best to perform this procedure during a planned transplant:

• The baby is separated from the “mother” with a sharp disinfected instrument;
• Cutting points are processed with crushed activated carbon or cinnamon (ground);
• Children are placed in small containers with a substrate of bark, charcoal and sphagnum moss;
• A support is installed for the vertical position of the children in the container and a greenhouse effect is created (mini greenhouse);
• Airing, condensate removal is carried out daily;
• Periodically, as necessary, the mulching layer of moss is sprayed;
• According to the regrowth of roots and the resistance of young plants, the greenhouse is removed.

Dendrobium

Reproduction of Dendrobium even in a natural, natural environment does not cause difficulties. Therefore, there are many ways to reproduce it. Under natural conditions, it is able to reproduce from broken small fragments, if it lands on a fertile place.

At home, it is best to plant it in vegetative ways.

Children

The baby, very similar to a small copy of an adult plant, emerges from a bud that has formed at the very base of the stem. This serves as a signal for offspring. There is an opinion that after several such cycles of breeding offspring, the mother plant begins to die off. You can see the baby in the photo, we will tell you step by step when to separate her from her mother.

Baby on the dendrobium.

As soon as the roots appear on the baby, 3-5 cm in size, it can be separated with a piece of the trunk and placed in the substrate, then creating a small mini-greenhouse.

Advice! Experienced flower growers recommend planting sphagnum moss simply in moss.

By dividing the bush

An adult, sufficiently overgrown Dendrobium orchid can be divided, while receiving several copies. Moreover, such specimens will be adult plants.

The division process is reduced to:

• Removing the main bush;
• Cleansing and processing of the root part.

Plots are made in such a way that at least 2 stalks and young shoots are located on each. Do not forget to process the cut sites to avoid infection.

Cuttings

It is realistic to plant this type of orchid with stem fragments that have several internodes. These fragments should be placed on wet sphagnum or sand. Having created a greenhouse effect, good lighting, temperature, wait for the appearance of children.

Then the children are seated in a permanent place of growth. Many growers use grafting transplantation.

Plant feature

The phalaenopsis flower is distributed throughout the world and can survive normally in almost any conditions. The orchid is able to hold onto the roots of nearby plants, which protect them from the sultry, scorching rays of the sun, drafts and rains.

Reproduction occurs sexually. When an orchid blooms, insects pollinate the plant. As a result, a capsule is formed, which contains many dusty, very small seeds. It ripens for 8-9 months, then bursts, and the wind carries the seeds. After the last flower has dried, the plant will also dry the peduncle.

In nature, there are many varieties of the phalaenopsis orchid, but not all of them normally take root in the conditions of modern apartments, which are radically different from their natural environment. Often, gardeners grow varieties such as:

• horse phalaenopsis;
• deer-horned;
• hieroglyphic;
• giant;
• pleasant;
• Stewart;
• Schiller;
• Luddemann;
• Parisha.

Horse Phalaenopsis naturally grows in the Philippines and Taiwan. Flowering lasts 4-5 months. Its flowers are pale pink, small in size.

Phalaenopsis deer-horned stands out for the unusual shape of its peduncle. It differs in a branched shape in the place where the buds are formed. Each process has 7-12 flowers. Petals are yellowish-green with red spots.

Phalaenopsis pleasant - one of the most common species. On each peduncle, 20-30 creamy white or pinkish yellow buds are formed. The diameter of each reaches 8 cm. The peak of flowering occurs mainly in the summer. The buds give off an amazing, pleasant scent when blooming.

Phalaenopsis Stewart is distinguished by a very variegated color of the leaves. The peduncle curls quite strongly and on each shoot 15-20 flowers with a diameter of 4-5 cm are formed. Basically, their petals are white or cream with a dark scarlet spot located at the base. Flowering mainly occurs during the winter months.

Phalaenopsis Schiller is distinguished by the fact that with proper care it forms whole cascades of buds. The flowers reach 6-7 cm in diameter, have mauve petals. Their saturated color at the base gradually fades and becomes completely dull towards the tip. The flowering period is mainly in the winter.

Phalaenopsis Ludemana is characterized by the fact that each plant has 3-4 flowers with a very pleasant aroma. The buds have a beautiful pinkish-lilac hue. But sometimes there may be stripes and blotches on them. Blooms almost all year round.

Reproduction of an orchid at home

There are three main ways:

• Cuttings. Suitable for fast growing varieties with only one growing point. In this case, only the upper leaves are cut, at least 20 cm long. They must be healthy, without damage or other lesions. The cut sites are treated with charcoal and dried naturally. After that, they are laid out horizontally, slightly deepening, on the prepared soil and covered with cellophane film. When shoots appear, they are transplanted into the main pot with a substrate.
• Division. The mature plant is removed from the pot. The roots are soaked in warm water, then cut into two equal parts with a disinfected knife. Both cuts are treated with charcoal. Flowers are placed in separate flowerpots.
• Stepsons. One of the most convenient ways to breed orchids at home. To do this, it is enough to increase the temperature and remove new shoots with young roots on an old flower in time. Transfer them to the prepared substrate. At this time, the humidity is also increased - a glass of water near the plant is enough for this.

Transfer

When starting the transplant, it is necessary to lay drainage on the bottom of the prepared pot - expanded clay, polystyrene, small stones and sprinkle it with a substrate.

Carefully, trying not to damage the fragile roots, the phalaenopsis is immersed in the pot so that the plant is located in the center, and the substrate covers the stem and roots at the same level.

Too deep immersion of the orchid in the soil leads to the fact that the lower leaves of the plant in contact with the wet substrate begin to ache, rot, which affects the health and decorative properties of the flower.

Whether or not to leave the so-called aerial roots on the surface is up to the owner of the phalaenopsis. The peculiarity of orchids is such that over time, new young roots will grow higher along the stem of the flower, one way or another remaining on the surface.

They perform the same role as "underground", differing from them only in color, which depends on whether the roots are located in a dry or humid environment. Therefore, the position of the roots will not affect the state of the flower. The upper roots can be slightly tamed with the substrate for more reliable placement of the plant in the pot - the phalaenopsis should not stagger after transplantation.

If necessary, you need to install a support for the peduncle.

Still have questions? Then watch the video on transplanting the Phalaenopsis orchid below: