Orchid in the home: the characteristics of growing

Orchids of many are striking in their beauty, but not all are at risk of buying them. After all, for some reason it is believed that it is difficult to grow this flower. But the opinion is mistaken, an orchid at home is able to grow normally and please its owners with a long flowering.

Most often, lovers of exotic plants acquire phalaenopsis - this is the most common and attractive option. In addition, it is not difficult for him to provide the appropriate conditions, but to please his butterfly flowers, he will be around 6 months a year.

If you have never had an orchid, then, most likely, you have no idea what conditions they need. To begin with, it is worth remembering that an orchid at home should be grown in a transparent pot. You can choose an inexpensive plastic option or choose a more spectacular glass, it can be colored and even matte. The main thing is that at least a little light gets on the roots. In addition, their structure is such that they will simply grow to the walls of pottery. And the subsequent transplantation will be impossible: the roots have to be cut off.

In all stores, as a rule, orchids are sold in plastic pots with a special bottom. If it has a normal substrate, then this plant can not even be transplanted for a couple of years. Of course, if you want to change it to a more spectacular and attractive pot, wait until the flowering is over and then proceed with the transplant.

Very carefully it is worth taking a selection of the soil, do not forget, the orchid at home will grow only if it provides the closest approximation to the habitual for it natural environment. And in the wild it is attached to trunks and branches of other trees, its roots do not need ordinary land. Therefore, as a primer, only the bark and the dried sphagnum moss are suitable . Also in the substrate, you can add the roots of the fern, peat and a few turf and leafy earth.

It is equally important to organize the correct watering and lighting. Orchid at home is much easier to tolerate a lack of moisture than its excessive amount. With abundant and frequent watering, these flowers simply perish: their roots rot, their leaves start to turn yellow and fall off. If there is not a single green leaf left on the flower, then it will not be possible to save it. It is enough to water it 2 times a week on hot days and 1 time in cool weather, this will ensure sufficient moisture of the soil.

For phalaenopsis, it is better to choose a well-lit place, but make sure that direct sunlight does not fall on the leaves. By the way, according to the degree of illumination, the western or eastern window is an ideal variant for growing such a flower as an orchid.

Reproduction in the home can be done in several ways. The most common method is the division of a bush, it is cut in half, each of the flowers obtained is planted separately. On the plants must remain at least 3 leaves, from which the roots go.

In addition, at high air temperatures orchids can form "children" - the so-called side shoots, which when they have a separate root system are transplanted. In addition, you can try to grow orchids from peduncles, cutting them into parts of 10-15 cm and placing each of them in a greenhouse on the wet sand or moss. New shoots appear from the kidneys, from those places where there were flowers. Orchid, at first glance, is quite demanding on the conditions, but in fact growing it does not cause any special problems.