Peduncle
Reproduction of orchids Peduncle
Reproduction of orchids in this way is in many ways similar to cuttings. For cutting cuttings, an already faded peduncle is used. It is cut off at the very base, then cut into small pieces approximately 5-7 cm long. Each segment should have one dormant bud in the middle. The resulting blanks are placed in a container with moss, regularly moistened, kept at a temperature of at least 29 ° C and a humidity of 70-90%.
4 Steps to Take to Effectively Use Cytokinin Paste:
- Choose a kidney that needs awakening.
- Carefully remove the scales, cut it a little.
- On a scale-free kidney, make a few scratches with a clean needle or a toothpick, then the ointment will better penetrate the plant tissues.
- Using a needle, apply a ball of paste with a diameter of 1.5 to 2.5 mm, distribute the agent evenly over the entire surface of the kidney.
Step by step instructions
We will describe in detail all the actions for choosing and creating optimal conditions for growing phalaenopsis.
Seat selection
The usual arrangement of flowers in an apartment is window sills or special stands. For tropical beauties, an oriental window is suitable, where there is enough light, but at the same time there is no direct sunlight.
Phalaenopsis loves diffused light, blooms profusely in the back of rooms, but provided that there is at least 12 hours of daylight. When placing the pot on the south side, a little shading should be done for the orchid in the summer. If the number of light hours is insufficient, fluorescent lamps are used for additional illumination.
Note! During the formation of flower buds, the plant is not recommended to move, transfer from place to place.
The flower reaches for the light and, in order not to get a one-sided plant or a plant falling to one side, the pot is carefully turned.
Humidity and temperature
Inhabitants of the tropics, Phalaenopsis are demanding on air humidity and a certain temperature. In city apartments, the air, especially in winter, when the heating is on, is too dry, so humidifiers must be used.
A good option is pallets with pebbles, expanded clay, where water is poured. The orchid pot is placed on pebbles (not in water) to keep the plant in a comfortable environment.
Spraying of phalaenopsis is allowed, but in moderation and only in the morning.
During the procedure, it is important that water does not linger in the axils of the leaves, at the point of growth, otherwise the plants will rot. In the summer, containers with water are placed near the pot with an orchid.
The premises are regularly ventilated, preventing drafts from falling on the plants.
The best temperature for Phalaenopsis is + 24ºC… + 29ºC in summer and + 17ºC… + 25ºC in winter. Plants do not have a pronounced dormant period; to stimulate the formation of flower buds, it will be necessary to slightly lower the temperature to + 17ºC. Phalaenopsis is kept in this mode for 2-2.5 weeks until bud formation begins.
It so happens that the temperature in the room has dropped. A short-term change in indicators for phalaenopsis (by 1-3 days) to + 11ºC… + 15ºC is not so critical, but you still need to try to prevent this. With a prolonged decrease in temperature, diseases arise, the plant may die. One of the most common mistakes novice florists make is increased watering of an orchid wilted from the cold. With a decrease in temperature, the root system of the plant loses its ability to absorb nutrients and moisture, the leaves lose their turgor, wrinkle.Increased watering leads to a deterioration in the situation, the roots rot and the orchid can be difficult to reanimate. Therefore, you always first need to find out the reason for the deterioration of the flower's condition, and only then take some measures.
First watering
When growing Phalaenopsis, the watering regime is observed. The first time after the purchase, the plants are not watered immediately, but after adaptation. In this case, it is necessary to inspect the roots of plants, the substrate, removing all moisture-consuming materials from it.
Orchids of this species like moderate watering, tolerate short droughts, but suffer from an irregular supply of moisture. The optimal irrigation regime is chosen taking into account the room conditions, temperature, humidity, season, as well as the state of the plants themselves.
Graph (approximate):
- in the summer - every 3-4 days;
- in winter - every 10-14 days;
- in autumn and spring - every 6-8 days.
Water is used clean, filtered, slightly warm. Orchids are watered in the morning so that the plant dries slightly by evening. It is best to water your orchid by placing the flower pot in a bowl of water. Time is 2-3 hours. During this period, the bark of the substrate is saturated with water, the roots "take" the required amount of moisture.
Another option is to put the pot in a sink or basin, gently pour water over the substrate for 12-15 minutes. The excess will drain into the pan, then the pot is returned to its usual place. In order to accurately determine that phalaenopsis needs watering, the roots of the plant and the substrate are examined. The pot has become light, which means it's time to water the orchid, but strictly observing the norm. Also, the need for watering is indicated by a change in the color of the flower roots, they become light gray, silvery.
Important! The orchid should not completely dry out! A slightly moistened substrate is a guarantee that the plant will not experience discomfort, lack of moisture.
Abundant moisture leads to the appearance of rot, plant diseases. Therefore, compliance with the norms and schedule of watering is a prerequisite for the normal growth of phalaenopsis.
Children on a peduncle
Reproduction of phalaenopsis by children is used most often. The orchid forms babies on a peduncle and from dormant buds on the trunk of a plant. In general, the phalaenopsis peduncle is its lateral shoot growing from an awakened bud.
In winter, when the air temperature is in the range of 20-25 ° C, buds and flowers are formed on it. In summer, the orchid can also produce a flower stalk. But at a temperature of about 30 ° C and above, children are formed on the peduncle.
The lateral shoots of phalaenopsis, grown in winter and summer, differ significantly from each other in appearance:
- Winter flower stalks are very long and have many buds from which buds are formed. If such a peduncle does not dry out and survives until summer, children can form on it;
- Summer shoots are usually not very long. As a rule, they do not form flowers. At their top there is a kidney from which a baby grows. Sometimes these shoots are so short that it seems as if the baby is growing right on the trunk.
Reproduction of phalaenopsis by children is difficult, since this orchid is reluctant to give side shoots. This process can be stimulated with special drugs. But there are plants that are often chipped. This is an individual feature of a particular instance. But, unfortunately, if an orchid gives a lot of children, it blooms rarely and poorly.
Basic facts about phalaenopsis
Phalaenopsis natural habitat
Phalaenopsis grows in South and Southeast Asia, New Guinea, China, Indonesia, the Philippines. Its natural habitat is tropical rainforests with high air temperatures and diffused lighting. For life, he chooses tree trunks to which he clings with roots.
Large, fleshy leaves accumulate water contained in the air, and aerial roots not only keep the plant on the tree trunk, but also participate in photosynthesis and respiration of the orchid.
Natural conditions (humidity, temperature, daylight hours) are optimal for the normal reproduction of orchids.
Under natural conditions, phalaenopsis reproduces by seeds and babies that appear in the rainy season. In the off-season, these shoots are formed after damage to the peduncles by animals or birds.
Further care
A young plant must be constantly monitored and carefully looked after. It will be fully formed by 3-4 years. Florists, taking into account the natural living conditions of orchids, advise planting them in transparent pots, since the roots take part in photosynthesis and need lighting. In addition, it is easier to control the condition of the roots, since they cannot be allowed to rot. Rot is the main enemy of the orchid; in no case should you flood the plant, it may die.
Foliar irrigation is carried out by abundant spraying of the plant, creating a kind of wet "fog" around it. Experts propose to carry out root watering by immersion: in the bottom of the container where the orchid lives, a sufficient number of holes are made, the pot is placed in a wide bowl of water. In this case, the roots themselves have the opportunity to pick up the amount of liquid they need. The frequency of watering is the same as for adult plants, and also depends on the season and phase of the orchid's life.
The roots are very delicate, they can crawl to the surface. In this case, they need to be sprayed along with the leaves, it is permissible to cover them with pieces of moss. If brownish spots have appeared on the roots, it is time to start treating the orchid, otherwise black "blots" will form on the leaves, a rotten smell will appear, and mold may even start. This is already a neglected state; it is unlikely that it will be possible to save the flower.
For orchids, the composition of the soil is very important. It is fundamentally different from ordinary soil mixtures, it is prepared on the basis of pine bark, sawdust, charcoal and sphagnum moss. A self-prepared substrate must be disinfected by treating with hot steam, a weak solution of potassium permanganate or any fungicide. But experts advise nevertheless to purchase a special ready-made substrate.
The pot is selected in a suitable size, does not hamper the development of roots, but also not excessively spacious. There should be a lot of drainage holes; moisture stagnation should not be allowed. 1/3 the pot should be filled with drainage - expanded clay, brick chips or foam. Polyfoam is also an excellent heat insulator
This quality is especially important if the window sill becomes cold during the cold season.
They differ from other complex dressings in composition and lower concentration. They can only be used in liquid form. Orchids need proper care more than other houseplants. Watching a flower developing is a very fun process. Subject to all the rules, good lighting and the right temperature, the flowering of a young orchid will come on time and will delight the owner.
For information on how to propagate orchids, see the next video.
Reproduction of an orchid by cuttings of a peduncle
This method is within the power of even inexperienced growers, its effectiveness, subject to the necessary conditions of sterility and temperature and humidity conditions, gives a 70% result. Cuttings are carried out in an orchid that has faded no more than 3-4 months ago.
Algorithm of actions:
The peduncle is cut off at the base. The cut sites are processed on the mother flower and on the peduncle. This can be done with crushed activated carbon, cinnamon, or molten wax.
With a razor blade or a sharp scalpel, pretreated with a disinfectant solution, the shoot is cut into cuttings 5-7 cm in size with a slight slope, making sure that there is one dormant kidney in the middle of each. The buds located on the peduncle below are more developed and strong, and it is from them that full-fledged orchids will grow fastest.
The substrate for the germination of cuttings is prepared from crushed sphagnum moss, poured into wide baths, and moistened with a biostimulant solution. On the base prepared in this way, the prepared segments of the peduncle are horizontally laid, making sure that the bud is on the upper side of the cutting.
An obligatory step when growing orchids from cuttings is to create a tropical climate for them, for which the segments are covered with glass, transparent film. The temperature in the greenhouse should be at least 25 degrees, humidity 70-80%. Lighting is desirable for at least 10-12 hours, with indirect sunlight. It is imperative to air the plantings once a day, to prevent the moss from drying out, for which it is regularly sprayed with a root solution
It is important that the cuttings do not rot or mold!
At the correct temperature and humidity, after 3-4 weeks, small roots and two pairs of leaves will appear - thus a "baby" has been formed.
As soon as the roots of the “baby” gain a thickness of at least 3-5 mm in diameter, become covered with a waxy coating, and the tip acquires a bright green color, the “baby” can be transplanted into the “adult” soil. Before planting, you need to carefully (the roots are very fragile!) Cut off all the dead parts of the cutting.
If there is no moss, you can try a simpler method of awakening dormant buds on a peduncle, but the effectiveness of this method is lower - about 40%, due to the fact that the cutting can rot.
- Any high transparent container is suitable for growing, a glass one is better than a plastic one: a tall narrow vase, a bottle with a wide neck, a jar.
- Prepare a solution that meets 2 requirements:
- prevents rotting of the peduncle;
- provides bioactivation of dormant kidneys.
- To do this, dissolve 1 tablet of activated carbon or several crystals of potassium permanganate in 0.5 liters of settled soft water (you can get it by freezing ordinary water in a freezer, and then removing and melting the top layer of ice) to make a pale pink solution, as well as 1 tablet succinic acid or a few drops of any biostimulant.
- The resulting solution is poured into a container to a height of 3-5 cm and the cut faded peduncle is placed so that its upper part does not reach the upper edge of the container by 2-3 cm. If necessary, the upper part is shortened. The lowest kidney should not touch the water.
- The bottle (jar) is closed with a film or glass lid and placed in the sunniest place in the house.
- Every day, a solution of a biostimulator is sprayed into the container, and its concentration is reduced by 2-2.5 times in comparison with the recommended instruction. To avoid decay, the water is changed every 3-4 days.
- Providing sufficient moisture, warmth and light, the sleeping kidneys should wake up, and biostimulants activate the process of the formation of "babies".
- When the "kids" reach a sufficient size, they are carefully cut from the peduncle and planted in a mixture for orchids.
Follow-up care
When the transplantation process has been completed, the main task of the grower is reduced to competent child care. Watering remains very important, since the plant needs high humidity.
But here it is important not to pour water, otherwise the roots will rot. After the first watering, the planted baby can be moistened only after the soil has completely dried
At first, growth stimulants and fertilizers will have to be added to the water for irrigation. In addition to watering, you need to provide the flower with optimal lighting and a comfortable temperature.
For reproduction of orchids, not only children are suitable, but also plant cuttings, and even roots. The latter option is possible only for sympoidal species, including the Dendrobium orchid, the reproduction methods of which we considered separately.
Orchid propagation by children is a simple process that even a beginner can do.
Just before that, it is important to carefully prepare everything, starting from the baby herself and ending with a pot of soil. After planting, it is important to maintain suitable conditions for the development of the plant and regularly care for it.
