Orchid: care and transplant, useful advice

According to scientists, orchids adorned the Earth 130 million years ago. As a houseplant, they spread only 4000 years ago, first in China and Japan, where they were made medicinal infusions, since for a long time it was believed that they have healing properties.

In other countries, the orchid, whose care and landing was already familiar in the East, appeared only 200 years ago and since then has gained numerous admirers of its beauty.

Orchid in the natural environment

For a long time people were mistaken, thinking that this plant grows exclusively in tropical forests, so it is difficult for him to create the right atmosphere at home. In fact, there are about 30,000 species of orchids that grow in completely different climatic conditions, avoiding only too arid and cold places.

The error was not without sense, since most species of this plant really prefer wet tropical and monsoon forests, in which they are protected from direct sunlight with good air ventilation.

To date, there are no orchids only in Antarctica, while the rest of the continents are home to various varieties. Many of the varieties of this flower are epiphytes and need support in the form of a tree trunk. In this case, they do not belong to the parasites, since they feed exclusively on rotted leaves and insects.

Part of the orchids settles in the mountains, choosing for this cleft, in which moisture accumulates and there is protection from cold winds. For millions of years, these flowers evolved and "grew" roots and leaves that help them survive in the event of a drought, collecting moisture from the environment.

Some of them attract bees, while others have mutated and have been pollinated by flies, butterflies, mosquitoes, bats, hummingbirds and even moths. Not all of their species can survive outside the habitual ecosystem. Orchids, transplantation and care at home which do not cause much trouble, are represented by only 50 species, the most popular of which are cumbria and phalaenopsis.

Types of Orchids

Most often, flower growers pay attention to those varieties of these flowers, which do not require the creation of a complex microclimate in the apartment or greenhouse. These include:

• Phalaenopsis, which was first discovered on the island of Ambon in Indonesia. In Greek, its name means "a similar moth", which is associated with the shape of a flower that resembles an exotic butterfly. The plant has 4-6 evergreen leaves, from the sinuses of which grow peduncles and air roots. Propagates by the baby.
• Cattleya's orchid was found in Brazil by botanist William Svenson. The name was given by the name of the person who managed to first achieve its flowering in its greenhouse. This plant with large and bright flowers is very capricious and requires creating conditions for it with high humidity and illumination. Therefore, a beginner such orchid, care and transplantation for which requires more time and experience, is not suitable. It is better to start with less whimsical varieties.

• Dendrobium - one of the most numerous species, which consists of 1000 to 1400 varieties and garden hybrids. All varieties of this orchid can have a different number of flowers and leaves, but they have one common feature - the lower petal is wrapped around the base of the flower. This is the most favorite variety of these plants for gardeners, since it does not require special care and blooms from two to six weeks.
• Cumbria is a hybrid grown especially for "living" at home. They are the best option for beginners who wish to have an orchid in their home garden. Care and transplantation are the most minimal and simple. She will please her owner with blossom several times a year.

Hundreds of books have been written, detailing everything about orchids - care, watering, transplantation and feeding, necessary at home, so that even a beginner can afford an exotic flower in his "collection".

Orchids in pots

For many novice growers, the question is acute in which pots to grow orchids. The transplantation and care at home of these plants often depend on the chosen capacities, the place and the created artificial environment.

Most often, lovers of this flower prefer to acquire varieties, the period of rest is either minimal or absent altogether. These include tsimbidium, celogin, phalaenopsis and others. They bloom year-round, which is especially pleasant when caring for them.

For many orchids, soil is only a way to keep them upright, so it should not contain "heavy" garden land. Most varieties come from a mixture of sifted sand with the addition of clay, moss, bark, coal and cork. All this must be carefully crushed and mixed. You can buy a ready-made soil mixture for orchids.

Some newcomers believe that if a plant has roots dangling from a pot, then it is cramped in it, and they try to transplant the flowers. The orchid, whose care and transplantation is not as complicated as it seems, does not need large containers until its growth stops.

At the first stage, instead of a pot, an ordinary plastic cup may come up, but it all depends on the size of the flower. The main requirement of an orchid is constantly moist soil, so it needs not only drainage and holes in the pot, but a pallet with pebbles, which is regularly poured water.

Phalaenopsis

This kind of orchids has no rest period and pleases owners with flowers all year round, but that it will take root and blossom, some efforts will be required.

• First, it is important that the air at any time of the year is warmed to +25 degrees. But it blossoms only if there is a difference of 5 degrees between day and night temperatures. In this case, the flower creates new kidneys.
• Secondly, spraying, conducted once a day, should look like a water mist. It should not be allowed to leave drops of water on the leaves, but high humidity is required. To create it, you can use a pallet with pebbles, in which there is always water. It is important to remember that the pot is not in the water, but on the stones, so that the roots do not rot.
• Thirdly, when phalaenopsis orchids are grown , care, transplantation of this plant often depends on the substrate in which it grows. It must be breathable and can consist of bark, moss and pieces of foam. It is important to ensure that the soil is only slightly damp, or if the temperature is lowered, the wet substrate can cause rotting of the roots.
• Fourth, watering should be done very carefully, so that water does not fall into the base of the outlet, where its growth point is located. You can pour water along the edge of the pot.

This home orchid, care, transplant which is not too burdensome, if you fulfill all its "requirements", will bring joy to its owner. The constant pruning in the place where the flowering has ended will provoke the plant to the appearance of new buds, creating a year-round dissolution.

Transplantation of phalaenopsis orchids

It is important to know that it is the phalaenopsis orchid that poorly tolerates the destruction of the substrate . Care at home, transplant should be done with extreme caution and only if:

• The pot became really small;
• The tangle of living and dead roots began;
• The substrate was destroyed;
• There is the appearance of a raid on the ground;
• The old container was unusable.

During the transplant, the plant must be carefully removed from the pot. If it is made of plastic, then it is better to cut it. The roots should be freed from the old soil, cut off the dry and rotting sprouts and rinse in clean water.

In a new container, pour fresh substrate, place a flower in it and gently prick all the spaces between the roots. Soil slightly moisten and place the pot in the shade for a couple of days, so that an orchid can take root. After transplantation, care consists in moistening the substrate until the plant is taken. After that, you can transfer it to the usual place.

Cumbrian Orchid

Like all hybrid types of orchids, the cumbria variety only needs the correct watering, the necessary level of lighting and air temperature:

• This plant in summer prefers temperature from +22 to +26, and in winter - from +16 to +18 degrees. During the flowering period, it is necessary to ensure that the day and night temperatures differ by no more than 5-6 degrees.
• The best place for an orchid of cumbria will be windows from the western, eastern, north-eastern or northern side, where there is a lot of light, but there is no direct sunlight. When the plant blooms in the autumn-winter period, it is necessary to lighten it with a fluorescent lamp.

• Irrigation of this hybrid variety should be moderate, but regular. It does not tolerate stagnation of water, so there must be holes in the tank, and drainage can be poured not only on its bottom, but also the walls. Watering is done only after the substrate dries out after the previous procedure.
• Humidity should be moderate, up to 30%, but during flowering it can be slightly increased, which can be done by spraying up to two times a day.
• Top dressing should be carried out with special means for orchids once a month, during the period of its growth - from March to September. It should be done carefully, because for all its unpretentiousness this kind of orchids do not like salinization of the soil.

This requires the orchid of cumbria . A transplant is made if the pot does not already hold the plant, but only during a rest period. To do this, it is carefully removed from the old container, washed roots and put in a new pot with a substrate.

Watering and top dressing of orchids

Beginners often think that the only thing that is necessary for an orchid to bloom is care and transplant. How to properly water these flowers is also important to know. In many respects it depends on the species of these plants. Some people like to be watered when their substrate is not completely dried, but others, so that it is completely dry.

But most domestic orchids prefer moist soil, so when watering, you should take into account the humidity and daily spraying. When an orchid is grown, care, transplantation (the photo shows it) should be accompanied by moderate watering. If temporarily the plant can withstand dry soil, then increased humidity causes decay of the roots, which can lead to its death.

Water for irrigation should be soft, for which it must be defended or boiled. It is desirable that its temperature is a couple of degrees warmer than air. In summer, orchids are watered 3 times a week, whereas in winter it is enough twice.

For flowers planted in pots, watering is done from above, and if the plants are in baskets or blocks, they are immersed in a container of water for about five minutes, after which they drain excess moisture.

Top dressing of any kind of orchids is carried out once a month only during their active growth. To avoid salinization of the substrate, it is desirable to alternate it with its washing. You can not fertilize orchids in winter and during rest periods, and also use mineral fertilizers intended for other flowers.

In the case of orchids, it is better to underfeed them than to do it by excess fertilizing.

Crop and Lighting

The main thing that requires the owner of an orchid, - care and transplant (if necessary). However, pruning also affects both its growth and flowering. For those plants that do not know the period of rest, it must be produced every time it fades. After the flowers fall, this part of the plant is cut, stimulating it to form new buds in the axils of the leaves.

Depending on the variety, the orchid can completely cut off the flower stem or only the part where there was flowering. Depending on its length, it always has from 3 to 5 "sleeping" kidneys. If you cut a part of the peduncle above them, it will stimulate the flower to start a new side baby.

When the question is about what the orchid should be lighting, it should be borne in mind that regardless of the species they do not like direct sunlight. The light should be bright, but diffused. If it is not enough, the flower will signal this by changing the color of the leaves to a pale green color. If you do not take measures in time, they will start to turn yellow and stretch, trying to "reach out" to the light. It is enough to move the flower so that it will return to normal.

In the period from March to September-October, orchids have a period of growth, so light is required a lot, but on the sunny side of the window is better to pritenyat. In autumn and winter, on the contrary, there comes a rest, but at the same time new buds and shoots ripen, so you can extend their daylight with fluorescent lights, bringing it up to the necessary 12 hours.

Diseases and pests

Usually, with proper care, orchids are not sick, but if you systematically break the rules, it can lead to disastrous consequences. For example, this can cause problems such as:

• Flabbiness of the leaves, which is most often caused by damage to the roots. You should check their condition and carefully remove the damaged roots.
• Leaves can crack while abrupt temperature changes, especially after watering.
• Sun rays cause burns to the plant, which is manifested in the appearance of black dots, holes and various growths.
• The leaves begin to dry and rot, which can be caused by soft-bitten mites that settle in the middle of the rosettes, or a spider mite that covers its inner web with its silvery spider web. To get rid of them you need to use special acaricidal drugs.
• If the flower has ceased to grow and bloom, then check the inner part of the leaves, where nematodes feeding on its juices can settle. It is enough to treat the plant with nematicides in order to bring it back to life.

If you fulfill all the requirements for caring for the selected species of orchid, these problems can be avoided.

Flowering of orchids

If an orchid has bloomed an orchid, it means that he has become a professional, as it is extremely difficult to achieve her favor. For this, it is necessary to strictly fulfill all requirements for the care of a capricious plant. It is important to remember that these flowers start to bloom from the age of about two years.

In addition, it needs to be stimulated, for which it is important to observe the light regime, which for most species is 12 hours. You also need to create a mandatory difference of 5-7 degrees between day and night air temperature.

As an extreme measure, you can apply a change in the familiar environment, for example, hold it for a couple of weeks at a temperature of +16 degrees or skip irrigation. Extreme conditions create an orchid to blossom. Care after flowering, transplanting (if necessary) are simple. During the rest period it is necessary to trim the peduncle and observe the basic requirements for watering, air temperature and light.