Orchid is an amazing tropical plant that evokes thoughts of hot islands, endless amazing forests, where similar flowers grow in huge numbers and, perhaps, elves live.
But today they have already become a part of our life with you. Every home and office must have at least one orchid, which every year pleases the eye with amazing inflorescences. But today we are interested in the most interesting variety - slipper orchids.
From the humid tropics to your home
Until recently, the cultivation of such curiosities was only possible in a greenhouse. Unadapted plants could not tolerate the dry air of our apartments and, at best, retained only decorative foliage.
However, the work of the breeders was not in vain, and the slipper orchids were adapted to the peculiarities of our climate, as well as room conditions. This is an amazing group of plants, with their own requirements and whims. You can choose specimens that are suitable for greenhouses and window sills orshelves with artificial lighting.
Diversity of species
The genus Paphidelium, which we are talking about today, has about 88 species. At the same time, the concept of a slipper orchid is even broader, which covers thousands of varieties of garden and indoor plants.
They got their name because of the unusual shape of the lower petal, which resembles a ladle. It is framed by the upper petals that form a sail. The result is a ball shoe with a delicate frame.
Getting to know the view
The first slipper orchids were brought from India. They came to Europe only at the beginning of the 19th century and immediately won the hearts of flower growers. However, botanists are still finding new varieties of orchids in nature.
You never cease to be amazed at the variety of shapes, colors and sizes. But no matter how generous nature was, the human mind turned out to be even more inventive. It is for this reason that all hybrid varieties cannot even be described.
Waiting for a miracle
So, a tropical guest settled on your windowsill. Today it looks very simple. Green leaves, aerial roots, nothing remarkable. However, be patient. Beautiful orchids you can see when they release an arrow. You can show off a broad-leaved or belt-shaped, as well as a variety with oblong leaves.
In the smallest representatives, rosettes do not exceed 10 cm, while in large ones, peduncles reach 60 cm. One flower develops from the center of the rosette. After the luxurious whisk withers,the escape will give rise to child sockets.
The duration of flowering is long, about 3 months. Beautiful orchids simply attract the eye, it is impossible not to admire their stunning petals, long pistils and delicate color transitions.
Among modern hybrids there are also many-flowered pafideliums. They have up to 30 buds on the peduncle, which bloom almost simultaneously. They can bloom seasonally, regularly delighting their owners with bright inflorescences.
Paphiopedilum Orchids
They go on sale with flower stalks. This is understandable, it is in this form that the plant is able to quickly find a buyer. However, it has only one rosette and several leaves.
Why is such a young plant blooming willingly? The answer is simple: this is the result of the action of flowering stimulants. After the peduncle dries up, it will take a lot of time to restore strength. Therefore, do not count on the next buds earlier than in 2-3 years.
Before you buy a plant, try to learn more about this hybrid and its properties. This will avoid disappointment. More attention should be paid not to flowers, but to the condition of the vegetative part, the absence of rot and dark spots, damage. Only in this case, the green pet will quickly adapt and begin to develop.
Analyze the substrate
Orchid Venus slipper at home is not too whimsical, but you need to follow a number of rules. substratemust be loose and breathable. Leave heavy trains aside.
As a basis, you need to take pine bark, boiled and dried. The size of the fractions should not be less than 5 and more than 15 mm. Lay out the largest pieces in the center, they will serve as drainage. In order for the substrate not to dry out, you need to add sphagnum moss. It is best to place it on the surface.
To make the mixture air and water permeable, you can add large fractions of perlite. To increase nutritional value - dolomite flour and fibrous peat. However, don't make it too difficult for yourself. The orchid grows well on a one-component soil of pine bark and forest humus.
Do I need a transplant
Now you know what should be in the pot, and you can carefully examine the composition filling it. If there are practically no large pieces, then they have had time to thoroughly decompose, and the substrate must be replaced. Strong plants easily tolerate both transplantation and transshipment, quickly adapt and begin to grow. The period after flowering or during the active formation of new shoots is considered optimal.
Transplantation is a responsible business. Of course, you want to quickly divide the plant so that you have several flowering pots, but you should not rush into this. The more rosettes formed, the more abundant flowering is expected.
Lighting and temperature conditions
Actually, it depends on what kind of lady's slipper you grow. A photo and description will allow you to choose the optimal conditions for each of these plants. But all as one they do not tolerate direct sunlight. Apart from burns, nothing good will come of it. Variegated "shoes" are shade-tolerant, they will take root with great success on the northern windows, but it is desirable that the sky is not completely covered by buildings or trees. A great option is an easterly direction, but on the western windows it can be a little hot in summer.
In the cold season, the southern direction is suitable. How to understand what exactly your lady's slipper requires? The photo and description of the plant gives an exhaustive answer to this question. The dark color of the leaves means that there is clearly not enough light, and the reddish border indicates that you overdid it and you need to hang curtains that scatter the sun's rays.
Normally, the leaves should have a light green leaf color. The optimal temperature regime in summer is + 20-25 degrees, at night a decrease of 3 degrees is desirable. Winter is a time of relative rest, so it is advisable to maintain +16-20 during the day, and a little less at night.
Orchid in your garden
A beautiful and exquisite decoration, preferably planted in the light shade of deciduous trees. Garden orchid Lady's slipper loves light and loose soil. The basis can be garden soil, and sand and perlite, crushed bricks are suitable as baking powder. The layer of such soil should be at least 30 cm.
Overflow for these plants is detrimental, so it is very useful to make good drainage from large stones andpieces of bark. Be sure to mulch the planting with a layer of pine needles, leaf humus and moss. Winter care is simple, just cover the plants with spruce branches, and they will live quietly until spring. Abundant and bright flowering will delight you throughout the summer.
Instead of a conclusion
Cultivation of orchids is a whole world, fascinating and immense. Today we have made a brief overview of "shoe" orchids. Plants are not too whimsical, bright and interesting. Even when at rest, they are of some interest. During flowering, they turn into real beauties.
