The birthplace of the Phalaenopsis orchid Philadelphia is the Philippines. The flower grows in tropical rainforests on trees, various snags and volcanoes. Due to the unusual marble coloring of the leaves, the orchid is absolutely invisible during the dormant period.
General Description
Phalaenopsis Philadelphia - a hybrid of two species: Schiller and Stewart. This plant is completely unpretentious in care. Silver-green leaves and small purple-pink flowers give it a unique look. Phalaenopsis Philadelphia is capable of producing many flower stalks, and for some amateur gardeners it also branches.
The younger the plant, the brighter the marble pattern is expressed on the leaves. With age or with improper care, it darkens, an amazing color is lost. At home, the number of leaves rarely exceeds three, but in nature they can grow up to six.
The peduncle of an orchid can reach 60 cm, it is brown. The flower has a diameter of 7 cm, has white petals with a lilac-pink tint. Unlike other phalaenopsis - purple spots on the side petals.
Flowering at home
Phalaenopsis Philadelphia is a very beautiful plant. This hybrid has a large number of simultaneously blooming flowers, which, with the right stimulation with additives, appear throughout the year. Each plant of this species has its own individual duration of flowering. In Phalaenopsis, Philadelphia is the period from February to May, although the dormant time is not pronounced. It happens that under the same conditions, one flower blooms in February, and the other in June. This is also considered normal.
The easiest way to encourage flowering is to reduce watering and lower the temperature to 12-14 degrees. You can create an artificial spring. This is when the difference between nighttime and daytime temperatures is 6 degrees. It is impossible to stimulate the plant during the period of leaf growth.
Planting Phalaenopsis Philadelphia
The Phalaenopsis Orchid, which every gardener is interested in growing, is not a very capricious plant. Creating the right conditions is not difficult at all. Like other orchids, Philadelphias need soil based on disinfected, dried pine bark. Plus various extras such as:
- perlite;
- vermiculite;
- expanded clay;
- foam;
- coal, etc.
For the development of the plant and full flowering, you need to choose the right soil mixture. If there is no possibility or desire to prepare the soil yourself, then you can buy it in the store.
After planting from above, the ground is covered with sphagnum moss to retain moisture. This is an important condition. You can also put a container with water nearby to humidify the air. Phalaenopsis Philadelphia loves cramped conditions, so it should be planted in small pots. For a young plant, a container of such a size is chosen in which the root system does not reach the bottom by 2-3 cm. A transparent pot with side holes for better air circulation is considered ideal for planting. The root system is involved in photosynthesis. It is very important to provide access to it for light and not to close it when landing. When the roots of the lower part of the plant are overgrown, it is necessary to add soil to the pot. It is also important to remove dying leaves in time.
Philadelphia care
Phalaenopsis are very beautiful plants. No wonder they are considered an excellent gift for a woman. Orchids, which do not require much skill to grow and care for at home, bloom constantly in the right conditions.
Phalaenopsis Philadelphia tolerates a warm environment well: from +22° to +28° C during the day, at night from +18° to +20° C. You can’t keep the flower at low temperatures for a long time, as this has a detrimental effect on the orchid. You need to place the pot in the shade or partial shade. The main thing is to keep the air moist all year round.
Also important is the air circulation provided by the holes in the pot. This type of orchid does not like drafts and stuffiness indoors.
Irrigation
It is better to moisten the soil with warm rain or distilled water. Liquid must not be allowed to entersocket, this will lead to rotting. You need to fertilize the plant during the flowering period, after - you need to let it rest.
Peduncles that have faded but not dried out or wilted should not be pruned as they may sprout.
After buying an orchid, it is better to transplant. Then remove for two weeks in a dark place, stop watering for this time. During transplantation, the plant must be checked for diseases and pests. To do this, immerse the root system in water for 2 hours. Then they are removed and checked for rot and wormholes. Bad roots are cut off, and the cut points are treated with iodine or furatsilin.
Reproduction, tips
The procedure for breeding orchids is of interest to many flower growers. At home, three types of reproduction are used:
- kids;
- cuttings;
- dividing.
These methods have their advantages and disadvantages:
- The simplest - by children. A baby is formed on the peduncle or near the root. When 3-4 roots appear about five centimeters long, the shoot can be separated (with disinfected tools) and planted in a separate pot. The germination process will take approximately half a year.
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Flower growers distinguish two types of propagation by cuttings: cut shoots and twigs with dormant buds. The main thing with this method is to make the right cut. Two methods are used:
after the peduncle has faded, a stalk 4 cm long is cut off; if buds are needed, then the stem is divided into 2-3 segments 10 cm long.
Forcuttings processing uses charcoal and activated charcoal and cinnamon powder. Also, these components are used to process fresh cuts.
In order for the bud to wake up, it is advisable to maintain a temperature regime of + 25 ° C. It must be remembered that the closer the buds are to the leaves, the faster they germinate.
To make the cuttings begin to develop sooner, they create greenhouse conditions.
If the flowers begin to shrink, then it follows that the orchid needs to be given rest and not stimulated, or it is under abundant lighting.
Also, always watch the soil, when pouring, rot forms on the roots and the plant does not have enough strength for normal flowering. When using fertilizers that are not suitable for orchids, they begin to grow poorly.
Philadelphia Phalaenopsis, home care for her is quite simple, a very beautiful plant. And if you create good conditions for her, she will delight you with her flowering all year round.
