Paphiopedilum - home care, photo

Paphiopedilum (Paphiopedilum) - This is a perennial unpretentious plant belonging to the Orchid family. The birthplace of Paphiopedilum in nature is Southeast Asia.

The size of the plant can reach 60 cm, its growth rate is small.

Venus slipper (the second name of Paphiopedilum) is a perennial plant, modern hybrids are able to bloom several times a year. Among them, single and multi-flowered, as well as revolving specimens of flowers are most often found. The most popular shades of flowers are red, green and yellow.

Paphiopedilum: home care (briefly)

Paphiopedilum: home care (in detail)

Flowering paphiopedilum

The length of the flowering period of Paphiopedilum at home depends on the type of plant, and it occurs most often in the autumn-winter time. Modern breeding species can bloom two or more times a year.

To approximate the flowering process, gardeners reduce the amount of watering the plant and lower the room temperature for several weeks. If all these conditions are not met, then Paphiopedilum may not begin to bloom at all. Adverse conditions are created for a short period of time precisely in order for the plant to begin to bloom (this is a way of propagating it for further survival).

After the plant fades, it is recommended to prune the stem to the location of the leaves.

Temperature mode

Depends on the season and type of plant. For orchids with green leaves, the temperature from +10 to + 25 ° degrees is considered the most optimal: in summer it should be slightly lower than in winter.

Paphiopedilum with variegated leaves for a comfortable growth needs a higher temperature - 18-30 ° degrees, along with this it is important to ensure good humidity.

It is not recommended to place the plant in direct sunlight or near sources of heating: Thermal burns may occur, as a result of which the leaves will lose their beautiful color.

Spraying

The plant grows in tropical regions, therefore, requires high humidity in the room (at least 40%). It seemed that you can achieve the required level using spraying, but most experts do not recommend this: high humidity can lead to fungal diseases of the leaves and root system. Also, due to excess moisture, Paphiopedilum flowers fall faster at home.

Paphiopedilum Lighting

The plant is best placed on the east side, diffused light is suitable for him. Otherwise, it is necessary to produce artificial shading, as direct sunlight can provoke the development of burns on the leaves of the plant.

This can be indicated by a change in the color of the leaves to red. But in the winter, when daylight hours are significantly reduced, the home Paphiopedilum needs an additional light source (daylight hours should be about 12-14 hours), otherwise the flower may begin to hurt and stop blooming.

Watering Paphiopedilum

The watering regime for each plant needs to be developed individually. This is due to the fact that both overdrying and excess moisture adversely affect his health. The soil should always be wet, for beginners to care for Paphiopedilum at home, it is recommended to put a stick in the pot, by which you can determine the moisture content of the substrate. If its end, lowered into the ground, becomes completely dry, then the plant must be watered.

In summer, the plant needs to be watered on average 2-3 times a week, the frequency depends on the air temperature: the hotter the summer, the more often you need to water. The same rule applies to winter, but at this time of the year, watering should not exceed once a week.

Watering the plant is advised in the morning, in the evening, all excess liquid is absorbed into the substrate. Excess moisture should not remain on the leaves, as this adversely affects the health of the flower.

Frequent moistening of Paphiopedilum is dangerous by the occurrence of fungal infections, in combination with cool air, this leads to rotting of the roots of the plant. If such a problem is found, all affected roots must be removed, and the plant should be transplanted into another substrate to prevent the infection from developing again on healthy roots.

For watering an orchid, it is undesirable to use tap water, and especially from non-centralized sources of water supply. It may contain various impurities, from which the leaves may lose their beautiful color or may even deteriorate. It is good if the water is boiled or filtered.

Paphiopedilum primer

For this type of orchid, a substrate based on the bark is suitable, to which you can add sphagnum moss, coal, peat, perlite. For species growing in nature on soils rich in calcium, lime stones are added and fertilized with dolomite flour.

Fertilizer and fertilizer

Paphiopedilum quickly expends its supply of nutrients, so it often needs to be fed. This is done once for 3-5 waterings.

The fertilizer for this flower should contain a lot of nitrogen, complex mixtures that are balanced by trace elements also have a good effect on its growth. Exceeding the indicated dosage of fertilizer during feeding is not recommended, as this can toxic effect on the plant.

In winter, you can reduce the amount of fertilizing up to once a month. Subject to other factors, this favorably affects the flowering process.

Paphiopedilum transplant

It is carried out after a flowering period every 1.5-3 years. This is recommended because of the possible accumulation of toxic substances, salts and other impurities in the soil that adversely affect growth and further flowering.

When transplanting, all damaged roots are removed, and the cutting angle must be sprinkled with charcoal. For a transplant, a plastic pot is best suited, as the substrate in it will retain moisture for a longer time. When transplanting, the roots should practically rest against the bottom of the pot, there should be a dense placement: thanks to this, the root system does not need to grow, and flowering will come faster.

Paphiopedilum quickly adapts after transplantation to new conditions. The leaves of the plant do not need pruning: this procedure must be carried out if they are affected by a bacterial or fungal infection.

Prolonged lack of care

For a long time (more than a week), the plant can not be left without care. The plant must be protected from overdrying, as well as to control the duration of its exposure to the sun.

Propagation of Paphiopedilum

The process of propagation of Paphiopedilum is quite lengthy and energy-consuming, so this plant can not be found in every flower shop.

The main ways of reproduction are carried out using:

• seed;
• by dividing outlets.

It is possible to propagate a flower with the help of rosettes in the event that they will be at least 2-3 in each dividend. Only in this case, the plant can safely adapt to new conditions and take root.

Diseases and Pests

Possible problems that may arise when caring for the plant:

• Paphiopedilum leaves darken - this may indicate a lack of fertilizers, it is recommended to fertilize;
• Paphiopedilum flowers quickly fall - the cause may also be an insufficient amount of nutrients and minerals;
• new Paphiopedilum leaves are very small - in the soil, Paphiopedilum lacks nitrogen or the room temperature is too high;
• spots appear on the leaves, and the plant discards buds - these signs may indicate a bacterial process;
• the roots of papiopedilum rot - the result of excess moisture or infection, you need to remove the affected roots and transplant the plant;
• mold on the leaves - the cause is the disease - gray rot. It can appear in a plant as a result of spraying at low indoor temperatures;
• yellow spots on the leaves papiopedilum- from the excess of sunlight on the plant, to eliminate this, the flower pot must be moved to the shade;
• paphiopedilum does not bloom - there may be several reasons, but the most common is an insufficient amount of light;
• lower leaves fall - if old leaves fall, then this is a natural process. Old leaves are replaced by new ones.
• other diseases: fungal diseases provoked by excessive humidity and cool air are most common. To eliminate this problem, antifungal agents are used.

The main pests of Paphiopedilum are mealybug, scale insects, spider mites and aphids.

Types of Paphiopedilum with photo

An orchid has three main types:

• Single flowered - are the most beautiful representatives among all species. One large flower is located on one flower-bearing stalk: its size can reach 17 cm. Flowering lasts 2 months on average.
• Multi-flowered species are more popular; several flowers may bloom on one peduncle. The flowering period of multifloral Paphiopedilum lasting about three months.
• Revolving - this species is of great interest, since the flowering period is quite long and can reach two years. This is due to the fact that the flowers of the plant bloom not at one moment, but sequentially - one after another. At one point, the plant may have one or two flowers that last for 1-2 months.

Paphiopedilum strong-haired

In this species of orchid, green leaves are not wide, the flowers are large and are located on the pubescent peduncle. Petals at the beginning of flowering have a flat surface, and then in the upper part the end becomes corrugated.

Paphiopedilum Appleton (Appleton)

In nature, grows in China, Vietnam, Thailand, located in the shade of trees in mountain forests. The flower is large, in diameter it can reach 10 cm. The flowers are green-purple in color, bloom in the spring. Leaves of a sedentary appearance, their ends rounded.

Paphiopedilum Apricot

The flowers are yellow in the center - orange. There are quite rare species that are white in color. Variegated leaves, in length can reach 15 cm.

Paphiopedilum Bearded

On the leaves there is a marble pattern, when blooming one flower of purple-red color blooms. Flowering occurs in the spring. Lateral leaves of Paphiopedilum bearded up to 20 cm, dark red in color, at the ends may be slightly white.

Watch the video: Paphiopedilum philippinense - About multifloral Slipper Orchids (May 2024).