One of the most beautiful indoor plants is the orchid. Her blooms are mesmerizing. This plant can become the main decoration of any interior. In order for an orchid to feel good at home, it needs to be properly cared for. Its subtleties will be discussed further.
General Description
How to care for an orchid at home? This question interests many flower growers. After all, this beautiful plant is one of the most desirable for growing at home. To understand all the subtleties of this process, you will need to learn more about the wonderful flower.
Orchid is a member of the orchid family. It includes almost 10% of all plants in the world. This is an ancient plant. Its traces have been found in the sediments of the Cretaceous period. Orchids grow in the wild everywhere, where at least approximately suitable conditions are created for them. However, tropical forests are the favorite place for this plant to grow.
Bigsome species of orchids are epiphytes. These flowers do not have a double fertilization process (which later types of green spaces managed to acquire). At the same time, the species diversity of orchids is huge. Some of them are quite tiny. There are plants that grow up to 2 m in height.
Growing orchids at home requires taking into account some features of their growth in the wild. Many of these flowers grow on tropical trees. This helps to receive the light necessary for life. Orchids are also often found on sheer cliffs. They are firmly held by their roots for uneven terrain. Water accumulates in such depressions.
Many legends are associated with this flower. Some people still believe that man-eating orchids live in the jungle. However, the largest prey that predatory species feed on are small insects. The orchid was associated in ancient cultures with love and beauty.
Varieties
Today, different types of orchids are grown at home. They can have different sizes, colors and shapes of flowers. There are very small plants. Some orchids grow quite large. All of them are united by an indescribably beautiful flowering.
The Dendrobium Orchid, home care and reproduction of which does not cause any particular difficulties, is a heat-loving plant. It also needs adequate lighting. One of the most popular species today is Dendrobium Phalaenopsis. If it is impossible to provide a temperature of +23 ° C in the house, it is better to purchase a different type of this plant. This isDendrobium Nobile. The plant prefers moderately cold temperatures.
One of the most unusual types of orchids is Wanda. It has a completely open root system. In this case, the plant does not need supports. Its watering consists in constant humidification of the air. The plant receives moisture in natural conditions from fog, precipitation. Houseplant loves high humidity and bright light.
Growing orchids at home will be easy if you choose a species that will match the existing conditions in the room. So, less demanding than other species (and therefore the most popular) is Phalaenopsis. This type of orchid is characterized by abundant flowering. She loves heat and light, but when the temperature drops, she can adapt to environmental conditions. Flowering continues for a long time.
Lighting
How to care for an orchid at home? It will be necessary to provide the plant with everything necessary. First of all, you need to pay attention to lighting. This plant needs a lot of diffused light. However, it should be noted that direct sunlight is contraindicated for her. This rule should be followed when choosing a place for growing orchids.
The main sign of a lack of sunlight is the lightening of the leaves. They become stretched out. If there is enough light for the plant, the flowering of the orchid at home will be long and bewitchingly beautiful.
Summerthe plant that stands on the windowsill will need to be shaded. If this is not done, the orchid will get burned. Also, too bright lighting does not allow the plant to properly adapt to environmental conditions after a long winter period. A special opaque film is used for shading.
In autumn, shading is not required for the plant. At this time, the light intensity is reduced. The plant will gradually rebuild, entering a dormant period. Buds will form on it, new shoots will develop.
It is also worth paying attention to the length of daylight hours. It must be at least 12 hours. If it has become shorter, the orchid will require artificial lighting.
Temperature
Care and watering of orchids at home should be carried out depending on the type of plant. It is also important to consider at what temperature a particular species grows. There are orchids that need a high, medium temperature. There are also cold-loving species.
Plants that prefer warmth should grow at daytime temperatures between 23 and 32°C. Temperatures can drop to 15°C at night. In winter, the temperature can stay at the level of 15-18 °C. In this case, the temperature difference should not be more than 3-5 degrees. Its decrease should be gradual.
Plants that prefer medium temperature should grow in conditions of 18-23°C in summer and 12-15°C in winter. They are most often found in mountainous areas. Suchplants are more hardy. However, they do not like rising temperatures.
Cold-loving orchids are also grown at home. In the wild, such species grow on hills and in the mountains. They prefer a temperature of 15-18 °C. In winter, the temperature should not fall below 11 °C.
Almost all types of orchids feel comfortable at a temperature of 13-27 ° C during the day, and 13-24 ° C at night. The difference between day and night temperatures must be maintained in order for the plant to bloom for a long time.
Irrigation
How to water an orchid at home? This is one of the most important factors that affect growth and flowering. The plant does not tolerate prolonged stagnation of water. To properly perform this procedure, you need to know the characteristics of the growth of this species in the wild. From this factor, the rules of watering can vary significantly.
Species such as Cymbidium, Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum prefer to grow in a slightly damp substrate. However, the soil should not be wet. If Dendrobium, Oncidium, Cattleya are grown in the house, the soil must dry completely before it is moistened again.
When choosing the frequency and abundance of watering, the temperature in the room and the amount of light are also taken into account. It is also important to consider the size of the pot in which the orchid is located and the composition of the substrate. During the growing season, the plant needs more moisture. Since the orchid is an epiphyte, it can tolerate short-term drought. However, if this situation becomes regular, the leaves will beginwither.
Excess moisture is also dangerous for the plant. The roots in this case will rot. A yellow outline forms around the edges. Knowing how to water an orchid at home, you can achieve its chic appearance.
Soft (settled) water is used for irrigation. It should be a couple of degrees higher than the room temperature. In the summer, orchids are watered on average 2-3 times a week. In this case, you need to monitor the condition of the soil. In winter, the procedure is carried out 1-2 times a week.
Plant propagation
Reproduction and transplantation of orchids at home is a responsible occupation. The appearance of the plant depends on the correctness of these procedures. Orchids can be propagated in many ways. One option is to split the rhizome. To do this, the plant will need to be removed from the pot. The roots are carefully cleaned from the ground. Between the false bulbs you need to cut the rhizome. Charcoal should be poured onto the wound of the plant. Two separate plants are planted in separate pots.
For propagation of an orchid, its cuttings on the tops are also suitable. This method is suitable for those species in which the nodes are at a sufficient distance. At the height of half of such a cutting, you will need to cut off the shoot. The cut site must be disinfected with charcoal. The knife must also be sterile. Then the shoot is planted in a pot with soil.
Can be used for breeding side shoots. When it appears on the plant, it must be sprayed. This stimulates the appearance of roots. It is separated andorchid is being transplanted. At home, it is easier to breed a plant in this way.
Also used for breeding orchids seeds. This is a complex method that only specialists use.
Transfer
Particular attention when considering the rules of care is transplanting orchids at home. Step by step, this procedure needs to be considered in detail. The plant does not respond well to such procedures. Therefore, the work must be done carefully. It is best to leave the root ball of the earth. If this is not done, the hairs on the shoots in the ground are damaged. It is through them that the plant receives the nutrients and moisture necessary for life.
Therefore, the lump does not need to be removed. This is done only as a last resort, if the soil no longer contains mineral components, has lost its structure. In other cases, they do transshipment. You will need a larger container. A new substrate is poured into it. Next, you need to get the orchid out of the pot. It is installed in a new container at the same level where it was before.
Only after the end of the flowering period can an orchid be transplanted at home. Step by step, this procedure should be considered in detail before starting work. It is carried out if the pot has become small for the plant or living and dead roots are intertwined in the container. Also, the procedure may be required when the substrate is saline.
If the substrate needs to be removed, the orchid is taken out of the pot. It must be carefully freed from the substrate. Dry, rotten and damagedthe roots must be cut off. The roots are washed with water. Soil is poured into the prepared container. The plant is placed in a pot. Soil is poured into the container. The growth point should not be covered with earth. Moisturize it a little and put it in the shade for a few days.
Substrate for transplantation
How to transplant an orchid at home? A step by step description has been provided above. However, it is worth paying attention to the preparation of the substrate. It is purchased in a specialized store. You can also prepare the soil yourself. For this, chopped fern root, peat, tree leaves, pine bark and charcoal are used. Willow leaves cannot be used.
Properly prepared substrate allows you to not fertilize the plant for a long time. Drainage must be provided in the transplant tank. It should be 25% of the entire pot. There should be holes in the bottom.
If the orchid will be grown in a wicker basket, then the gaps need to be processed. They are poked with sphagnum moss. Soil is poured into the bottom of the pot or basket. A plant is installed on it, gently straightening the roots. More substrate is poured on top. It doesn't need to be sealed. If necessary, the plant is additionally strengthened on a support made of threads or wire. Watering is not carried out for 4 days. The wounds should dry out and heal.
Flower period
Orchid at home can bloom for a long time with proper care. During this period, it must be provided with everything necessary. During the period of growth and flowering, the plant requires a lot of light. In summer and spring, the orchid stocks up with strength. In autumn it blooms. In itwatering time should be increased. However, stagnant water in the pot is unacceptable.
You can apply fertilizers that are purchased in a specialized store. The leaves of the plant should be sprayed with warm water from a spray bottle. Humidity around a blooming orchid should be high. At the same time, windows should be opened periodically in the room. This will create the right microclimate.
However drafts should be avoided. Also, sudden changes in temperature should not be allowed. Before the flowering period, watering is reduced to a minimum. If the orchid has managed to stock up on all the necessary substances, it can bloom continuously for up to six months. After that, a number of actions are also required.
Post-flowering care
Orchid at home after flowering requires some care. The peduncle after drying does not need to be cut off immediately. It will nourish the flower for a while. Only when it turns yellow can the peduncle be removed. The stump should be about 2 cm.
Water at this time is reduced. Feeding is also not required. If the plant is then transplanted, it may not bloom for a whole year. To restart the process, it is recommended to move the plant to another location.
Having considered the features of growing an orchid at home, you can achieve its he althy appearance and charming flowering. The plant will delight its owners for a long time.
