No wonder many gardeners are fascinated by mini orchids. Caring for flowers at home is not particularly difficult. The most important thing is to know some subtleties of their content, and then they will delight you with their beauty for a long time.
General characteristics
Mini orchids, dwarf orchids, they are also phalaenopsis, are flowers belonging to the same species. There are a huge number of varieties and varieties of phalaenopsis. However, we will only consider the mini, or dwarf version.
Mini orchids are not in vain loved by avid flower growers and people who just want to bring a little comfort to the room. These flowers have a miniature size, which distinguishes them from standard plants.
Dwarf orchids are represented by many varieties. An adult flower together with an inflorescence reaches 15-30 centimeters in height. There are varieties that are even smaller - they do not grow above 10 centimeters.
Where does this flower grow? A mini-orchid in nature can be found in the open spaces of the wooded part of the equator or among the rocks. Togrowing phalaenopsis at home has been successful, you need to understand which variety is most suitable for the microclimate of your home.
As mentioned earlier, varieties of mini-orchids are diverse. But it is impossible to consider all of them, so we will focus on the most popular.
Mini Mark
Easy to keep phalaenopsis. It has many creamy flowers. Petals are decorated with orange and pinkish patches. The lip has a rich orange tint. The leaves and stems are very neat, grayish green.
Separately, it is worth mentioning that this phalaenopsis will delight its owner with a double flowering per year. The flowers themselves have a pleasant aroma. The leaves of the plant reach a length of no more than 12 cm. Flowers in diameter - about 4 cm.
Pink Orchid
Not the smallest member of the orchid family, but smaller than average. The height of the peduncle is about 20 cm, it has a curved shape. Flowers are white-pink. On one plant they can be from 10 to 15 pieces. The leaf is elongated, its size varies from 10 to 15 cm.
Luddemann Orchid
A feature of this species is the ratio of the proportions of the sepals and the flower itself. Quite an unusual mini orchid, as the flower is much smaller than the sepal. The color is intense pink-violet. The core is a little darker. The lip has yellow-red blotches.
The leaves are elongated, not more than 20 cm in length. The color is light green. The diameter of the flowers themselves is about 5 cm. There are from 5 to 7 of them on one peduncle.
Oncidium
Oncidium is widespread and has more than 700 species. Some representatives are simply gigantic in size, while others are very miniature. There are species that do not exceed 10 cm in height, their flowers resemble irises. The aroma is delicate, but well perceptible. The inflorescence of a mini-orchid reaches about 10 cm. The flowers are small, each 1-2 cm in diameter. The main type of color is red, yellow and brown. Blooms all year round.
Cymbidium
Cymbidium has no less species than oncidium. One of the most famous is the aloe cymbidium. The plant does not exceed 30 cm in height. The flowers are light yellow, small, about 5 cm in diameter. Cymbidium can also be dyed in other shades such as burgundy and beige.
Cattleya Orchid
There are a lot of dwarf subspecies. Flowers have different colors, so everyone can choose a pet to their taste. The height of the flower itself is from 10 to 25 cm.
At the same time, in some species of Cattleya, the diameter of the flowers is equal to the height. The most famous varieties of Cattleya: Skinner, Walker, Aklanda.
Maintenance of dwarf orchid
There is nothing difficult in keeping mini-orchids. Home care includes the same procedures as for many other flowers. Consider the main features:
- The plant should not be in direct sunlight, but the lighting should be sufficient.
- Temperature conditions inThe room should change with the seasons. In particular, this applies to the first two months of autumn. During this period, the temperature should not be lower and not higher than 16-17 degrees Celsius. This is due to the process of laying flower buds. During the rest of the year, the temperature can vary between +18 … +30 oС.
- Humidity also matters for a mini orchid. Home care also comes down to maintaining the proper level of humidity. The higher the temperature, the higher the humidity percentage should be. Otherwise, the flower will simply die. However, if you overdo it, the process of decay may begin. To prevent this, it is recommended to ventilate the room well.
- Only soil based on moss, charcoal and coniferous bark is suitable for transplanting. A mini orchid is transplanted once every two years.
- Now for the question of how to water the mini orchid. Here, too, it is important to observe the temperature regime. Water should be 4 degrees above room temperature. What other features are there for caring for a mini orchid at home? You can put flower pots in water. For example, in the bathroom. This procedure should last no more than 20-30 minutes. In this case, as in the case of "baths", it is important that the water glass from the holes in the pot. Otherwise, the root system may rot. Flowers should be watered no more than once a week. In the hot season - once every 3-4 days.
- Irrigation is also necessary for caring for mini-orchid. At home, you can use a spray bottle. In especially hot weather, the procedure is recommended to be carried out in the morning. The water temperature should be the same as for watering.
- Feeding should be done twice a month. Moreover, it is possible to add a nutrient mixture both to the water for irrigation and to the water for irrigation.
- Pruning of peduncles is done after the mini-orchid has faded. You need to leave one centimeter of the base of the peduncle.
Resting period
A mini orchid in its natural environment does not need a dormant period. However, the apartment way of keeping and our climate dictate their own rules. Therefore, in the cold season, when it starts to get dark quite early, care must be taken to extend the daylight hours for the plant.
To do this, you can use artificial lighting. The ideal option is the use of special lighting fixtures for flowers. But if for some reason it is not possible to purchase such lamps, then you can use ordinary ones.
Diseases and anxiety symptoms
The dwarf orchid has enough he alth problems. This type of plant is susceptible to viruses and is sensitive to improper maintenance. There are also frequent pest problems. All this can result in the death of the orchid.
In order not to start the problem and save the flower in time, you need to be able to distinguish between symptoms that signal a disease. Consider some of them:
- Leaves turn yellow, wither and fall off. This isindicates either excessive accumulation of water in the soil, or too intense lighting.
- Flowers fall before they even bloom. A sign that the plant is very hot. Or it lacks moisture.
- Leaves are covered with dark spots, kukozhatsya. Symptom of insufficient watering.
In order to prevent, it is necessary to regularly inspect the plant for the presence of parasites. If they are found, remove them manually or use specialized products that can be purchased at a flower shop. Choose preparations especially for a mini-orchid. Home care for these beauties may not be difficult, but it is still necessary to monitor the plant.
