The Phalaenopsis orchid is very beautiful, unusual and easy to care for. The eye-catching plant on the window does not leave indifferent any passerby.
The main varieties of Phalaenopsis
There are a lot of varieties of the flower: this is Liodoro, and Big Lip, Mandala, Stone Rose and others.
What does an orchid look like?
Phalaenopsis Liodoro
Hybrid Liodoro bred by scientists, its distinguishing features are the presence of odor and unusual color. His second name is Sweetmemory. The variety is registered in America in the 80s. Brought it out by R. Smith. The scientist crossed the varieties Deventeriana and Violacea. The plant turned out with shiny leaves, large flowers and high peduncles.
Phalaenopsis Big Lip
The flower stands out for its similarity to butterfly wings. Big lip translates as "big lips." In the middle of the flower, the lower petal is large enough, and it is also slightly expanded. The petals themselves are easily injured, soft, tender, so the plant is difficult to transport.
Phalaenopsis Mandala
Orchid Mandala has a very amazing color. Her flower is a creamy golden hue, the middle is white, her lip is small, the color of a tiger. The length of the plant is 60 cm. The size of the flower can reach 9 centimeters. Like other species, the Mandala needs high humidity, moderate watering and protection from the influence of the scorching sun.
Important! Between blossoms 2-3 months of rest pass.
Phalaenopsis Stone Rose
This variety of Phalaenopsis is called Echeveria. Also his other formulations are Stone Rose, Green Rose, Stone Flower. It belongs to perennial herbaceous plants of the Tolstyankov family. Originally grown in Mexico, it can also be found in Central and South America.
In nature, there are more than 200 species. The people call the plant "stone rose". In appearance, it looks like a rose flower. She has no thorns; the leaves are smooth, as if carved from stone.
The plant either does not have a stem or is very short. The leaves are arranged in a spiral, fleshy, covered with fluff. They differ in oval or flat shape.
Phalaenopsis Stone Rose
The flowers are bright fiery red or orange. In appearance, they look like a bell.
Other types of Phalaenopsis
There are many other varieties:
- Hybrid Dendrobium Berry Oda, characterized by high temperature tolerance, compactness (height - up to 40 cm).
- White orchid Amabilis is the progenitor of many varieties. The most popular hybrids are Diamond, Gold Lip, Salt Lake and others. They differ in flower size and height.
- Blue orchid is a rare and expensive hybrid. In 2013, Japanese breeders developed the Aphrodite variety, to which they added the blue gene of Commeline. The world's first blue orchid was called Aphroditeblue. The remaining species are artificially painted through irrigation.
- Phalaenopsis Wild cat is a rare spotted species, whose birthplace is Australia and the Philippines. There are more than 20 varieties of flower. The color of the bud is white-yellow with violet-purple spots. The structure of the petals is dense, waxy and sparkling. Depending on the care, the speckles may be larger or smaller.
- Phalaenopsis mini - differs by medium-sized flowers, with a diameter of 4 cm, short peduncles and leaves up to 15 cm long. Micro orchid pleases with long flowering. The care requirements are the same as for large individuals.
Phalaenopsis mini
- Phalaenopsis Cleopatra is the most popular selling orchid in the world. It is characterized by unpretentiousness, good survival at low humidity. The flowers are a mix of white or white-yellow buds with lilac, pinkish, purple dots. There are species with pink flowers.
Orchid Care at Home
Each buyer, buying a flower, thinks: "How to care for Phalaenopsis?". There are no special problems with this. You can use these recommendations.
Orchid Phalaenopsis home care:
- The temperature in the house. The thermal regime in the room for orchids is optimal. Air conditioning can adversely affect the plant. He dries it. Therefore, the orchid will have to be moistened. Also, the orchid does not tolerate a draft. So that buds appear on the flower, you can lower the temperature during the day to 12 degrees, at night - another 2 degrees. Go to normal temperature gradually.
- Lighting. In the summer, it is better to limit the bright rays of the sun, since the leaves of an orchid can burn. It is better to choose eastern or western windows, so that the light is diffused. In winter and autumn, additional illumination is needed so that the flower blooms and the leaves do not turn yellow. For example, a 40 W lamp is needed per plant.
- Watering. To see the root system of a flower, you can plant it in a transparent pot. The color of the roots can determine the need for watering. When the roots become light gray, then moisture is required. You can water by immersing the pot in a container of water for 5 minutes. So the plant will take as much moisture as it needs. In opaque pots, you need to focus on the topsoil. If it is dry, you need to make him resuscitation - moisturize.
Important! The main thing during watering is not to fill the flower, as the roots will begin to rot.
To prevent rot, the Phalaenopsis flower is occasionally taken out of the pot and inspected the roots. Spoiled processes are cut off. The soil must be replaced. In the cold season, watering is reduced, in the warm - it is increased. With a lack of moisture, the leaves of the orchid become thinner and yellow.
Picture 2 Watering orchids
- Priming. The earth must dry quickly. Basically, they make such a composition:
- Pieces of expanded clay, polystyrene;
- Sphagnum moss;
- Oak or pine bark;
- Pome husk;
- Charcoal;
- Perlite.
This composition promotes air access to the roots. By the appearance of the plant, you can understand that the soil is correctly selected. All soil components must be thoroughly washed and thermally treated. Moss is soaked for a day, solids are washed. Everything that can be ignited in the oven. These procedures will prevent the development of fungi and pests.
- Fertilizers Orchids need to be fed periodically. Soluble mineral fertilizers with phosphorus, nitrogen, and iron are used. These components improve flowering, leaf growth, and protect the plant from disease. Pieces of banana peeling can be used as organic, natural additives.
Important! When using organic fertilizers, you can not overdo it so as not to provoke rot.
The most popular fertilizer is an orchid stick soaked in minerals. It is inserted near the wall of the pot. When watering, the fertilizer gradually dissolves.
You can also see the care of orchids on the YouTube channel "Phalaenopsis George Goryachevsky"
Flowering phalaenopsis
Orchids give flowers 2 times a year, sometimes three. The diameter of the bud is 2-15 cm. Peduncles can be strewn with 3-40 pcs. flowers. It depends on the state of the plant and its branches. There are plants with peduncles up to 1 meter and buds up to 100 pieces. The color palette of Phalaenopsis varies from white to dark purple, from yellow to reddish. Distinctive features are streaks, specks, spots of various tones. There are species of Phalaenopsis that can produce pleasant aromas. Flowering lasts from 8 weeks to six months.
In order for Phalaenopsis to bloom well, he needs to create favorable conditions: optimal lighting, temperature, watering, application of mineral substances, moisturizing. On southern windows, the plant more often produces buds earlier, but it needs to be protected from the scorching sun. It is necessary not to overmoisten the soil so as not to block the flower stalks with new sprouts.
For better flowering, orchids need to be fertilized 1-2 times a month. First, water the plant, then make fertilizer.
Bloom
The growth process in Phalaenopsis is continuous. To stimulate flowering, it is possible in the spring to inhibit its growth by lowering the temperature. Thus, the orchid will release buds faster.
Fluctuations in temperature affect flowering. Changes of 4-5 degrees day and night contribute to the lush and intense growth of buds. Hot weather at 32-35 degrees helps to increase leaves, but does not contribute to flowering.
After the buds wither, the peduncle is not cut off, as flowers may form again, or a new shoot will grow. Or you can cut the arrow 1 cm above the sleeping kidney. This procedure stimulates the formation of a new shoot or children.
Some species of Phalaenopsis bloom for many years on the same peduncles.
Breeding methods
There are many types of propagation of orchids, of which 2 are the main ones.
Root separation
For the propagation of Phalaenopsis, you need to choose a suitable instance. His roots should be healthy, each of them should have several pseudobulbs. You can breed and aerial roots. The formed strong root is selected.
Division propagation
For cultivation, flowers with a thickened stem and sleeping buds are better suited. The best time to breed is spring. This time of active growth, as well as the plant has accumulated many useful substances. Division should be done after the orchid fades. First, remove the peduncle with a sharp sterile knife. Powdered charcoal.
Important! After flowering, the roots cannot be divided. The plant needs a rest of 1-2 weeks.
Separation Stages:
- Extract the plant from the pot.
- To clear the roots of the soil by lightly shaking the flower.
- Place the plant in water with a temperature of 30-35 degrees for 30 minutes.
- Sanitize the knife. Cut the roots.
- Sprinkle the incision site with cinnamon, activated charcoal or charcoal.
- Leave the plant to dry for 2 hours.
- Seedling in pots.
Reproduction by children
It is necessary to observe the flowers, periodically moisten with a spray bottle. The appearance of strong roots and leaves means that the orchid has taken root. You can water the plant as usual.
Reproduction by children
There are three ways to reproduce:
- Kids at the roots;
- On the trunk;
- On the peduncle.
Important! Children need to be planted after leaving the orchid bloom, so that it is healthy, and the peduncle is not older than 1.5 years.
The baby is on the peduncle. She looks like a kidney. Stimulate her since February. Plants are planted in the west or east, shading it so that the sun falls only on the flower stalk. During the day it is necessary to maintain 27 degrees, and at night - 17. Reduce watering. Do not feed the plant until the bud wakes up.
After that, move the plant to a dark and warm place. Normalize watering and feed the orchid on leaves. Once the bud grows well, you can fertilize under the root. When the baby grows 3 leaves, and the roots grow to 2 cm (about six months later), you can separate it and plant it.
The pot is taken the same as for an adult plant: transparent and with holes. In it, you can add soil from the mother's orchid 1: 1. There should be an optimum level of temperature and humidification. Do not allow direct sunlight directed at the baby. You need to fertilize by following the instructions on the method of reproduction.
Orchid Phalaenopsis is an amazing plant in terms of variety and beauty. She pleases the eye with her flowering and unpretentious care.
