These luxurious flowers grow in the tropics. Their main place of growth is on the slopes of the mountains. Often they cling to the bark of trees with their roots. The variety of these attractive flowers is very large. And no wonder so many hobbyists have become fans of orchids.
Orchids
Today, flower growers distinguish many types of orchids that grow ideally at home. It should be noted that some species of these plants are less whimsical than pelargoniums and violets.
Orchids are a flower that blooms brightly and luxuriantly for an extended period. And with proper care, this plant will delight the owners with beauty for many years. And it is not surprising that in recent years, orchids have been especially popular with flower growers.
So, an orchid has appeared in your house. This luxurious flower is quite unpretentious, but has its own characteristics. Therefore, it is imperative that you familiarize yourself with them in order to achieve a good result.
The most important thing is proper plant care and proper fertilizer. And for this you need to know how and what to feed an orchid.
Important information
You have an orchid in your house. You know that every plant needs regular feeding. But what is the right way to feed an orchid? Before you go to the store for fertilizer, you should familiarize yourself with some rules.
- Fertilizers can only be applied during the period of active growth. How to determine? Leaves, peduncle or roots often begin to grow on the plant during this period.
- If for one reason or another you had to transplant an orchid, then it cannot be fertilized for the next month. The plant should "take root".
- If pests, diseases are found, or roots and leaves have begun to rot, then fertilization should be postponed. Only foliar top dressing can be used.
- Remember, before fertilizing, you need to water the plant. Otherwise, top dressing may burn the roots.
- In winter and summer, the orchid is recommended to be fertilized once a month. And in the autumn and spring, this procedure can be repeated 2 times a month. At the same time, remember that the plant should not be at rest.
- Did you get a blooming orchid as a present? Have you ever fertilized her? Do not experiment, it is better to postpone this procedure to a later date. After all, abundant fertilizer can significantly reduce the duration of flowering.
- Orchid has several stages of growth. This should be taken into account. After all, for a certain period it is necessary to use different top dressing. For example, a large need for nitrogen in a plant is observed during the formation of new leaves. But when bookmarkedflower stalks need to be fertilized with potassium and phosphorus.
How to properly fertilize a plant
How to feed an orchid? After all, there are many fertilizers that are provided for feeding the root system and the extra-root part of the plant. Each of them is characterized by its method of application, action and recommendations.
So how and how to feed an orchid at home? Consider each of these types of feeding separately.
Fertilizers for the root system
This fertilizer is used for he althy plants. The main purpose is to stimulate growth and replenish nutrients. Before fertilizing, water the plant thoroughly until the roots are completely wet. After that, fertilizer must be added to the container with filtered water. Its concentration should correspond to the information in the instructions for the drug. Water should be warmer than room temperature by 20C.
A flowerpot with a flower is placed in this solution for 20 minutes. Immersion in the solution of the pot should be carried out slowly. At the same time, you should hold the bark so that it does not fall out. Can be watered with solution from above.
After feeding, make sure that all excess liquid flows out of the pot and does not remain in the pan. The ambient temperature should also be monitored. After fertilizing, the plant should not be left in a cold room.
How to feed an orchid at home? During the period of active growth of leaves and rootsit is better to use "Mr. color - station wagon". To prepare the solution, you need to mix 3 liters of pure water and 1 cap of the drug.
How to feed an orchid during flowering? For laying peduncles and during this period, it is better to use fertilizer of the same brand, only marked "Orchid". To prepare the solution, you must take all the ingredients in proportions: 1 cap of the drug per 1 liter of water.
Foliar top dressing
Foliar feeding is just as important as root feeding. It is used in such cases:
- Alternative to basic fertilizer.
- During the period when the mass of roots is growing. After all, at this time they are easy to burn with root fertilizer.
- When the root system is damaged, the flower does not receive the required amount of nutrients. And this method contributes to their delivery to the right place.
- Chlorosis. This method contributes to the rapid feeding of the plant. Often the result can be seen within a few hours after application.
Now let's figure out how and what to feed the phalaenopsis orchid at home in this way.
Foliar feeding of orchids should be carried out in cloudy weather or in the evening. So direct sunlight will not fall on the drops of the solution and will not create burns to the leaves. The air temperature should be between 15 and 27 0C, there should be no drafts in the room. Now you need to spray all the leaves from the top and bottom side, visible roots. For buds and flowers, the solution is neither inunder no circumstances should it hit. After top dressing, it is necessary to carefully examine the sinuses between the leaves. They should not contain a solution. Otherwise, the plant may start to rot.
So how to feed an orchid from above? For growing leaves and root mass, it is better to use the "Doctor FOLI starter". But to stimulate the peduncle, it is better to give preference to fertilizer marked "Orchid".
Key characteristics of fertilizer
Many flower growers are interested in how to feed an orchid after flowering. So, after the plant has faded, it often goes into hibernation (rest period). At this time, it is better to postpone feeding.
You should also pay attention to fertilizer. What characteristics should I look for when choosing a fertilizer for an orchid?
- Required level of acidity (5-7 pH).
- Nutrient concentration.
- Content of trace elements in chelated form.
- Components that prevent the accumulation of s alts in the bark.
- Availability of additional components.
- It is better to choose fertilizers in liquid form.
- It is better to choose mineral fertilizers.
Conclusion
So we learned how to feed an orchid at home. Reviews about each of the above drugs are mostly positive. Therefore, you can safely fertilize your luxurious orchids. Let them please your eye for many years bright andattractive colors.
