Paphiopedilum - paphiopedilum

Flower "pafiopedilum": caring in the home

Pafiopedilum is considered difficult for the purpose of cultivating in everyday circumstances, however, understanding the characteristic features of the service behind it, it is possible to cope.

If the crown is greenish or a large number of flowers are formed in the peduncle, such specimens need flashy confused lighting. In winter, all kinds of this orchid need additional lighting.

Individuals with extensive greenish foliage call for the lowest temperatures in comparison with their own relatives. The crown of this orchid is very sensitive to the fine world, for this reason, it should not be affected by bright hot lighting, as the leaves will turn yellow and dry out.

Photo of pafiopedilum

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Pafiopedilum home care

Paphiopedilum is quite difficult to grow at home, but in general, knowing the peculiarities of caring for it, you can cope with it.

The lighting needed by the plant depends on its type. If the foliage is green or many flowers are formed on the peduncle, then such specimens need bright diffused light. If the leaves are spotty or one or a couple of flowers appear on the shoots, then partial shade on the northern windows will be enough for such individuals.

In winter, any species of this orchid need additional lighting by artificial means, so that daylight hours reach 12 hours.

The temperature required for the Shoe also depends on the species. Here we can distinguish as many as 4 types.

1. For varieties with spotted foliage, summer temperatures hover around 23 ° C and in winter 18 ° C.
2. If the leaves are narrow and just green, then the temperature should be a couple of degrees lower than for the previous category.
3. All species with "revolving" (that is, continuous or sequential) flowering need 22 ° C in summer and 19 ° C in winter.
4. Individuals with wide green foliage require the lowest temperatures in comparison with their relatives. Summer temperature for them is 20 ° C, winter 17 ° C.

Also, for proper care, you need a difference between day and night temperatures of at least 3 ° C.

Flowering occurs provided that the plant had a dormant period with a reduced air temperature.

The foliage of this orchid is very vulnerable to sunlight, so it is impossible to be touched by a bright burning light, because the leaves will turn yellow and dry. Once a week, the leaves should be washed and wiped, removing dust and preventing spider mite infestation.

Planting and care at home

This exquisite flower is less finicky than violets, begonias or fuchsias. With proper care, it pleases with long flowering.

Watch the video for caring for this type of orchid at home

Tips for growing and caring for a shoe at home

Paphiopedilum grows well in pots on the windowsill if several prerequisites are met:

• Preference should be given to slightly cool, well-ventilated areas with ample sunlight.The temperature regime should not exceed 20 degrees. In the warm season, the room where the orchid grows must be periodically ventilated. The moisture index can be in the range of 50-70%. Watering should be done as the soil dries, but not overdry.
• A lady's slipper in a greenhouse and at home blooms in winter, therefore, after flowering, watering should be moderate, and moistening should be done with a sprayer in the smallest drops mode. The lifespan of the plant and flowering depends on competent watering. The orchid does not tolerate waterlogging. In summer, the flower is watered twice a week, in winter - once; between waterings, the soil should remain completely dry.
• Orchid feeds are selected depending on the stage of growth. Fertilizers need to be applied only through watering. After transplanting, it is not recommended to feed the flower for a month. During the "rest" period, after flowering and during flowering, the plant is not fertilized.
• Reproduction of papiopedilum is carried out during transplantation. The plant is divided into several parts with roots and shoots. Young orchids are planted in clay pots with a diameter of at least 10 centimeters. A drainage made of polystyrene, expanded clay, crushed stone is placed at the bottom of the container, pouring a little soil. Then the roots are placed, and the top is filled with a substrate. The planting pot is placed on a windowsill away from direct sunlight. After 2 weeks, the plant can be sprayed.
• Transplanting an orchid into fresh soil should be done no more often than every 2–4 years. When changing the soil, the process of "getting used" to the composition of the substrate takes place. To make this period less painful, it is necessary to leave some of the old soil in the pot. The planting pot should be 5-8 centimeters larger in diameter than the previous one. The best time to change the soil is the dormant period of the flower culture, after flowering. It is not necessary to water the plant during transplantation, since there are enough trace elements and moisture in the new soil composition.

Note! The life expectancy and splendor of the flowering of papiopedilum depend on the quality of the soil and trace elements in it.

Special balanced substrates are available from flower shops. They must be nutritious and permeable to moisture and air. During the peduncle period, you should not carry and move the container with a flower, every movement for a light-sensitive plant causes stress.

In order for flowering to last as long as possible, during the swelling of the buds, it is necessary to double the number of watering. During the flowering period, the room temperature should be increased by 6-7 degrees.

Important! Orchids are very sensitive to light: with a lack of lighting, papiopedilum may not bloom at all, and the leaves will begin to turn yellow and wither. But the flower pot should not be placed in direct sunlight, as burn spots may form on the leaves, and the leaves will turn yellow

The light should be diffused. Pafiopedilum should not be placed next to the radiator.

When placing the pot on the north side, the flower will feel a lack of light, and additional lighting with phytolamps will be required. The most optimal choice of place is the eastern and western sides: the flower will bathe in the gentle rays of the rising or setting sun.

Optimal growing conditions

Suitable content temperature

In the group of this variety, there are warm and cold-loving varieties. They can be recognized by the tone of the flower:

• Bright inflorescences characterize thermophilic varieties;
• Leaves of an elongated shape of an intense green color - a cold-loving species.

Before the flowering of a lovely papiopedilum, it is necessary to recreate a dormant period with an optimal air temperature of 10-15 degrees. If the accepted temperature fluctuations are not created, then flowering should not be expected.

This orchid is very susceptible to extremes. For optimal growth and vegetation, temperature fluctuations can range from 18 to 25 degrees:

• In winter, the column should not fall below 10 degrees;
• In the summer, do not go up to 33.

Comfortable level of air humidity

Paphiopedilum loves moist air without leaf spraying. The optimum humidity is 45 to 70%. If drops of water fall on fragile leaves, then ugly spots will form on them.

We maintain a high level of humidity with expanded clay placed in a pallet. At the same time, make sure that the bottom of the flower does not touch the water poured into the pan. For this purpose, a pot of growing papiopedilum is placed on an inverted saucer of a pallet.

Advice! It is possible to increase the room air humidity with a modern nebulizer.

Room illumination

This type of orchid adores diffused light, they cannot stand the direct rays of the sun. On the south window, the delicate slipper is slightly shaded. Keeping orchids outside the window is also not advised, since then they will require 12 hours of lighting.

The current lighting conditions change gradually so that the perennial has time to adapt to the new environment. Move them from shade to sun every day for 3 weeks.

Attention! If the leaves of papiopedilum become reddish, then it indicates a strong degree of illumination, the plant requires shading.

Accommodation at home

The optimal place for placing an orchid is home windowsills:

• Northeastern;
• Eastern;

• And western windows.

Some subspecies also thrive in the northern part of the house. The room where the perennial plant is kept requires frequent ventilation; in the summer it is placed in the garden.

To start flowering

To provide an orchid with lush flowering, you need to create 16-hour daylight hours for it. This can be done using a fluorescent lamp. With a lack of light, it reduces the level of photosynthesis, artificial lighting will help accelerate the onset of flowering.

To increase the flow of light, the window frames are washed, dust is wiped from the leaves, the perennial is placed in a room with light walls and the same ceiling.

Orchid care at home

Considering that Vanilla is a climbing orchid, strong support is needed to grow it. To do this, it is best to use a tube covered with coconut fiber, a standard climbing stand, or a hanging planter.

Substrate selection

Pine bark should be part of the Vanilla Orchid substrate.

The substrate for this representative of Orchids is slightly different from the standard soil for plants of the epiphytic family, it should be more saturated. For its preparation, the following ingredients are used: tree bark, sphagnum moss, charcoal, fern roots or perlite, peat in a small amount. In general, the substrate should be lightweight and breathable.

Pot selection

Plant the Vanilla Orchid in a clay or plastic pot, or use an orchid basket. Most often, a basket is used, since the holes allow better breathing for the roots, and prevents moisture from stagnating in the soil.

The size of the container should not be much larger than the root system, the required distance from the roots to the walls of the pot is 2-3 cm.

Watering

Watering the orchid is done when the top layer of the soil dries up; it is impossible to allow the substrate to completely dry out. We use warm purified water that does not contain calcium.

Water the Vanilla Orchid with very warm water.

In addition to watering the soil, a warm shower is very useful for Vanilla, which is carried out about once a week. Sometimes watering can be done by immersion. At a time when the dormant period begins in the orchid and the growth activity decreases, watering is significantly reduced, but drying out of the substrate is not allowed in any case.

Video about the correct watering of the Vanilla orchid

Illumination

The plant is very light-loving, but direct sunlight should be avoided. Bright diffused lighting is necessary for the flower throughout the day.At the same time, it is not recommended to strongly shade it. In the winter season, it is necessary to provide artificial lighting.

Temperature

The orchid of this species is very thermophilic. The temperature throughout the year should not change, and reach + 28-29 degrees during the day, and at night it should not fall below + 20-23 degrees. At the same time, a more mature plant can tolerate a decrease in temperature by 3-4 degrees.

Humidity

To maintain air humidity, Vanilla Orchid should be sprayed regularly.

Due to the fact that the orchid is a tropical plant, it needs a high humidity of about 80-90%. To increase humidity, it is necessary to systematically spray the plant or place it on a pallet with moistened expanded clay.

The plant perceives fertilizers very well. Every 2-3 weeks throughout the calendar year, it is necessary to feed the flower with special fertilizers intended for orchids. The fertilizer concentration is reduced by 2-3 times in comparison with the dosage indicated by the manufacturer on the package. Top dressing can also be foliar, which is carried out by spraying.

Plant features

Makodes petola is represented by epiphytic, as well as terrestrial plants, which are directly related to the numerous orchid family. Their growth patterns are sympodial. This plant belongs to the group of "precious orchids" ("Jevel Orchids") and is prized for its very showy foliage. The name makodes comes from the Greek language, so "macos" means "extension, length", which is associated with the lip, which has an elongated shape.

A genus such as makodes unites about 7 species that can be found in the tropical rainforests of Oceania, as well as Southeast Asia. The most popular of the types is makodes petola. Such a precious orchid has truly beautiful leaves. One might get the impression that the pattern on the leaves is embroidered with gold threads, and they shine and shimmer in the sunlight. Thanks to such rare and very spectacular leaves, this plant is considered a kind of jewel.

Under natural conditions, such a "precious orchid" grows on the islands of Java, from the Philippines to Sumatra, in New Guinea, Malaysia. Prefers to grow in tropical forests (in shady mountain forests), where there is high humidity. Makodes petola grows on fallen tree trunks, as well as on rocks covered with humus and moss.

Such a miniature orchid has creeping shoots, which, moreover, branch strongly and reach a height of only 7 to 8 centimeters. Velvety leaf plates can be painted in various shades from greenish gray to emerald. On their surface, there are golden veins that shimmer in the light. The flowers of the plant are inconspicuous and very small. After the end of flowering, the rosette dies off, and at the same time babies (lateral processes) are formed. These plants are grown in collections, as well as in winter gardens.

Home care

Like other orchids, Pafiopedilum requires a lot of attention. But if you create conditions for her that are most similar to natural, then leaving will not cause much trouble. Since this flower is sympodial, it must be acquired when it has at least three outlets, in which case it will delight the eye with its beauty for a long time.

Substrate selection

Orchid substrate Paphiopedilum

The soil for the orchid should be moisture-absorbing and nutritious, as well as good air permeability. The substrate can be purchased at a flower shop or you can make your own. To prepare such a mixture, the following ingredients are used in equal proportions: sphagnum moss, leafy earth, fern roots. Another variant of the soil components is also possible: pine bark, fern roots, dolomite flour, polystyrene, charcoal.

Pot selection

These flowers can be planted in both clay and plastic pots, but it is preferable to use opaque plastic with holes in the bottom for good drying of the substrate. Or, in the case of using a transparent pot, it can be decorated with a cloth, for example, shading the soil in this way, since the roots of the orchid do not tolerate the sun's rays very well.

The size of the pot depends on the size of the root system, it should not exceed it much.

Watering

The plant is very moisture-loving and does not tolerate drying out of the soil. But waterlogging of the substrate is also not recommended to be allowed. The frequency of watering varies according to the period of flower development. With active growth, it increases, and decreases after flowering. Carefully you need to treat the substrate, maintaining a slightly moist state. For irrigation, warm boiled water is used, which should be clean and soft.

It is absolutely not recommended to water Paphiopedilum at the root in order to avoid water getting on the outlet and the leaves of the plant.

Paphiopedilum orchid is watered by immersion in water

Watering is done by immersion in a container with water, and the time spent in the water depends on the size of the bark fragments in the substrate. If they are large, then the procedure takes from 30 to 50 minutes, and with small ones - 10-15 minutes. It is advisable to do this operation in the morning, so that the orchid dries out by the end of the day.

Illumination

The light requirements depend on the type of shoe, since they are different for different representatives. Some prefer bright diffused light, while others are better suited to partial shade. But all, without exception, orchids of this family need additional light in the winter season, which must be provided to them for 12 to 14 hours a day.

Temperature

Temperature conditions, like illumination, depend on the type of Paphiopedilum. They are thermophilic and cold-loving. The first type includes hybrids and variegated shoes. The lowest temperature they can withstand is +15 degrees at night, and + 23-28 during the day. Representatives of the second species are plants with pure green leaves. They need a night temperature of + 10-12 degrees, and the daytime should not exceed +24 degrees.

Humidity

When using a hot shower, the Paphiopedilum orchid grows actively

Like all orchids, the Lady's Slipper loves humid air. To ensure it, you need to adhere to the required temperature, systematically wash the flower under the shower, do not place flowerpots close to heating devices, and also spray using soft water.

Top dressing

It is necessary to feed the orchid once every 2-3 weeks. For this, special fertilizers for orchids are used, the procedure is carried out in accordance with the instructions indicated on the package.

Pafiopedilum care

Let us consider in detail how to properly care for the papiopedilum orchid at home.

Temperature

Plants that belong to orchids are thermophilic and do not tolerate cold weather. At home, the temperature should be monitored both in summer and winter. In the first case, it must be at least twenty-three degrees. In the second - at least eighteen degrees.

If orchid species have large leaves, then they are better adapted to cold weather. In the summer season, the temperature is set and maintained from eighteen to twenty-four degrees, and in the winter season from sixteen to twenty.

Papiopedilum is adapted to temperature changes at night. Such a change has a good effect on their development and growth. During the day, the room temperature should be at least five degrees higher than at night.

Watering Pafiopedilum

You need to water the plant all year round on a regular basis and in the same amount. Before carrying out the process, the water must be settled and clean.

Before use, the liquid is heated to thirty degrees. If water gets on the leaves when watering, they will rot. The liquid must be removed from the plates with a napkin.

Watering is best done through a container of water in which the orchid is placed. If the potted soil is made up of ingredients that must be in the soil for the orchid to grow better, then fifteen minutes is sufficient for submersion. If there is a rough bark in the ground, then forty minutes.

After the orchid is saturated with water, excess liquid remains in the pan, it is poured out. As soon as the soil begins to dry, watering is carried out again.

Paphiopedilum grows naturally in humid areas. About seventy percent humidity is a comfortable condition for the life of the plant.

If the orchid is grown at home, then such care is difficult to provide. You can install a humidifier so that the culture grows actively. If it is not possible to install the device, then a layer of expanded clay is placed in the pallet and moistened.

Feeding Pafiopedilum

Fertilizers can be purchased in stores for special feeding for all orchids. The soil of the flower is fertilized monthly. If the culture is blooming, then the amount of feeding should be less than two times.

Transplant tips

A papiopedilumoma transplant is carried out if:

• the appearance of the culture has become withered;
• the plant smells like rot;
• the soil became firm.

The transplant is carried out once every two years after the flowering period. In this case, the orchid will quickly get used to the new conditions.

Whether a culture takes root or not depends on the soil. It should include:

• small pine bark;
• peat;
• coal;
• perlite.

The Paphiopedilum transplant pot should be wide, but not too high. A good drainage layer is laid out at the bottom. Before planting, the rhizome is examined, and the rotten and damaged areas are removed. The places that are cut are treated with coal. There is no need to water the plant after transplanting. This procedure is carried out only after three days.

The plant can be propagated by one method - dividing the bush. Each of them should have two processes.

2> Protection against pests and diseases

The immune system of papiopedilum is quite resistant to diseases and pests. But from over-watering or contaminated potting soil, harmful microbes can form.

For the prevention of diseases, before planting, the pots are disinfected, and the plant is treated with a biofungicidal agent phytosporin. At the first signs of the appearance of brown spot on the leaves, the damaged parts are removed from the stem. The container with the flower is transferred to a dry, ventilated room.

Paphiopedilum pests: what they look like

The most dangerous for the flower culture are:

• aphid;
• ticks;
• slugs;
• snails;
• thrips.

Small insects are located on the perianth and stem of the plant.
In the fight against them, spraying with a solution of karbofos helps.

Description of papiopedilum

This type of orchid is undemanding in courting. Epiphyte Papiopedilum belongs to the genus Cipripediaceae.

Orchids are protruding domesticated plants. Their elegance and grace are inimitable, and their miniaturism in combination with beautiful flowering does not keep a single soul indifferent. Since the century before last, a large number of types have been brought to Europe, which have perfectly adapted to family living conditions.

Now flower malls are replete with different hybrids of this species. And true connoisseurs of orchids feel admiration and pleasure if they follow this type of mixed orchid in this way. It is a sympodial epiphyte with a short stem and a well-formed root; leaves are extensive, belt-like or elongated. The power socket is double-sided.

The color of the leaves is capable of being pale emerald, in addition, leaves with a pattern of matte white colors are also found. The peduncle reaches up to half a meter in length.