Orchidsare one of the most beautiful flowering plants and very fashionable as pot flowers. Although so beautiful, it is nevertheless demanding and not easy to maintain at home. Therefore, it is worth finding out what the correctorchid carelooks like and choose the appropriateorchid varietiesthat we will be able to deal with. Here are the10 secrets of growing orchids at hometo help your orchids grow he althily and bloom beautifully!
Orchid Phalaenopsis
Orchidsgrow in both hemispheres, both in temperate and equatorial zones. They are perennials. They include over 30,000. species. Those from the temperate zone root in the ground and can be grown as garden orchids, such as the Shoe (Cypripedium). On the other hand, those from the equatorial zone are epiphytes and decorate our homes.
We grow orchidsbecause of their beautiful and varied flowers. When making a purchase, we often pay attention to flowers. What is our surprise when, shortly after the purchase, our orchid sheds flower buds or other more serious problems begin with it. We then blame ourselves for these problems and find that orchids are not plants for us after all. However, we could easily avoid many problems if we noticed other important factors during the purchase, in addition to flowers. So - how to buy orchids?
1. How to buy orchids?
Currently, in garden centers, supermarkets or other stores you can buyorchids at promotional pricesOften succumbing to the charm of flowers and affordable prices, we decide to buy an orchid. I would like to warn you against such an ill-considered decision. Before you make a purchase, especially for the first orchid in your life, find outwhat species and varieties of orchids will feel good in your living conditionsand look for such species. Otherwise,growing an orchid at homemay fail.
If you manage to meet the orchid you want, instead of admiring its flower, pay attention to the system rootDo not buy orchids with withered or rotten roots. A certain amount of dried roots, e.g. in Phalaenopsis, is not a problem, but it is not always possible to correctly assess the number of he althy roots in the store. Therefore, try to choose such orchids, the root system of which leaves no doubt. A he althy root system is the basis for a successful orchid cultivation!
Orchid Phalaenopsis
Yes, you can buy an orchid for resuscitation, but leave that to more experienced growers. Check if the orchid is stable in the pot. Look at the leaves. These should be hard, without discoloration and mechanical damage. If the orchid you are buying is flowering, check if the flowers are discolored. Make sure that, for example, in the case of Phalaenopsis, the plant has young leaves sprouting from the center and that the heart is not flooded and rot. Only buy plants that are well marked with the label.
Why is it so important toto designate the orchid variety ? Becauseeach type of orchid, and in some cases a species within a genus, may require different growing conditions to bloomSo if you don't know which orchid you have, how will you provide it with optimal growth conditions?
Orchid Dendrobium
2. Orchid varieties for growing at home
Often, before buying the first orchid, we ask ourselveswhich orchid variety to choose to be easy to growSome growers recommend Phalaenopsis to start with. In fact, it is generally available and reasonably priced. Others point to Dendrobium as undemanding, while Vandas strongly advise amateurs as difficult to grow.
My adventure with orchids started with Phalaenopsis, but unfortunately it was not a successful start. It turned out that Phalaenopsis is a demanding orchid, anderrors in growing this orchidcan be seen only when the plant is in an almost agonizing state. It was much easier and more fruitful for me with the reborn Vanda and today I recommend it to beginner orchid lovers, despite the relatively high price.
One thing is for sure,try to learn as much as possible about the orchid variety before you buy which one you decide on If you get to know your plant's needs and follow certain rules of cultivation, such as: watering, lighting, temperature, fertilization and transplanting, thengrowing orchids will become interesting and easy for youAnd when the orchid will be yours care, he will pay you back with a long and abundant flowering, you will be a very happy person: -)
Believe me, growing orchids is not as difficult as popular opinions say and it is not reserved for a narrow group of people. Below I will describe a fewbasic rules for the care of orchids at home , the observance of which will allow you to enjoy good condition and abundant flowering of your orchids.
Orchid Miltonidium
3. Watering orchids
"Watering is a very important procedure in the care of orchids.For watering orchids, use lukewarm (not cold!) Water, preferably pre-boiled and settled Water from a reverse osmosis filter can also be used. Such water does not harm the orchids. However, it is not allowed to soften the water chemically. Water softening sodium is toxic to orchids. If someone uses bottled water to water their orchids, they should first find out how the water has been softened. You can also use rainwater, but only where there is no air pollution.
Bothwatering and sprinkling the orchids are best done in the morningto let them dry by evening. In this way, we will avoid many diseases that attack orchids.More convenient and safer than watering from above is the so-called bathing orchids. For this purpose, we use a bowl in which to fit several pots with a plant, pour water and put the orchids in for about 15 minutes, then take it out on the stand, and after a few minutes pour out the excess water from the stand. "
Orchid Phalaenopsis
The most common orchid cultivation failures are due to watering errorsWe know that orchids hate excess water and can tolerate over-drying much better than overflow. We take this principle to heart that we sometimes dry the plant too much, treating it like cacti, which leads to the complete drying of the roots and it is extremely difficult to recover such an orchid. Although it sometimes works. Remember, even cacti without enough water will die, without water, there is no life. Therefore, it is worth knowing the rules explaining how to water an orchid. I will give you some general rules, but please remember that different species have different water needs and it is good to know your plant's needs. For now, however, let's focus on these general rules that willsuit most orchids in our homes
We water orchids more often when :
- they grow in baskets without a substrate (this is how they are sometimes grown, e.g. Vandas,
- Humidity around orchids is only 40% (e.g. during the heating season),
- The air temperature is 20 ° C and above, and the orchids are exposed to direct sunlight,
- There is an increased air flow (circulation) around the orchids,
- Orchids have thin and flabby leaves and stems.
We water orchids less often when :
- It is cloudy for three consecutive days or more, and the orchids are away from direct daylight,
- The temperature in the apartment drops below 20 ° C during the day
- Orchids grow in plastic pots,
- There is little air circulation around the orchids
- Air humidity around orchids is 70% or more
Important!Do not water the orchids until the substrate is dry after the previous watering.
4. How much sun do orchids need?
Proper care of orchids requires providing them with the right amount of daylight.Different types of orchids have different light requirements, depending on their origin and the conditions in which they live in nature. Some of them are exposed to bright tropical sun rays, while others grow in deep shady forests. That is whyit is worth making sure what type of orchid we have and try to provide it with a similar level of lighting that it has in nature
How do you know that our orchid has too little light? For example after the dark green leaves turn dull. Each new leaf increment is less than that of the previous increment. The orchid does not bloom or has very few flowers and becomes limp. When any of the following symptoms occurred, it is best to
move the orchid closer to the light source , e.g. to the window sill, sometimes it is enough to get rid of dense curtains, open the blinds, remove objects that shade the orchids.And sometimes more drastically, get rid of outdoor plants that shade the windows.Moving the orchid to a more bright place must be carried out carefullyso that too much sunlight does not burn the plant. Therefore, we gradually move the orchids closer to the light source over the course of a few days. To illuminate orchids, you can also use special lamps for illuminating plants, which in the autumn and winter months, when the intensity of natural light is low, should shine for about 14-16 hours a day.
How to judge that our orchid has too much light?
With too much exposure to sunlight, orchid leaves may burn.Leaves become rough and feel warm to the touch, but should be cool. Some orchids have a whitening of their leaves, others have a reddish color. The growth cone dwarfs and the next leaves turn yellow. Of course, there are some species of orchids where red discoloration is natural when exposed to a lot of light, but they are alpine orchids that naturally have a cold environment under high light conditions.However, at home, red discoloration should worry us.
I know that it is difficult to judge the highest appropriate amount of light at home. I once read that for orchids, the highest amount of light that can be tolerated is that which the human eye can tolerate. I do not know if it is true, but I am applying this principle myself successfully. Higher light intensity is good as long as the plant feels comfortable in it. The internal heating is worse than the external heating of the plant, which will undoubtedly occur if the orchid is exposed to long-term solar radiation or the use of inappropriate fluorescent lamps. Such a state will lead to the inevitable death of the orchid.
If we notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms in our orchid,we should move the orchid to a place not directly exposed to the sunPlace the plants on window sills that the windows face east. If this is not possible, it is enough to separate the flowerbed with the orchids from the window, e.g.with a thick curtain or use blinds.
5. Orchid growing temperature
Also, the heat demand varies from one orchid variety to another.Each type and species of orchids has its own heat demandEvery orchid owner should learn about the needs of their charges in this regard. Unfortunately, many species of orchids, such as Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum, and Dendrobium, will not produce flowers if they do not pass the dormant period in a cooler room. The length of the dormant period depends on the orchid species, in any case the minimum time is 2 to 3 weeks.
Often the temperature at night has to be lowered to 14-16 ° C. I achieve this temperature by placing orchids on a cold window sill near the glass, where the temperature is much lower than in the entire room. Additionally, you can make a special screen that separates the window sill from the rest of the room. This method also works great, especially when there is a radiator under the window sill.However, it should be rememberedthat the orchid does not touch the window paneThanks to this method, we do not have to allocate a special room for orchids. The most important thing is to know the needs of our orchids, because, for example, the temperature at night below 13 ° C for Phalaenopsis grown willingly at home is too low and can seriously harm the plant.We shouldn't place orchids with the window tilted in winter
How to recognize that our orchid is frozen?Even after the leaves turn dark to black and become watery and soft. Orchid leaves that touch the glass, which freezes, may have such symptoms.
Also, overheating a plant is as harmful as overcooling it too much. If the temperature is too high,orchid leaves turn yellow or the tips of the leaves turn brownThe leaves fall down and the plant stops growing. After observing such symptoms, it is good to lower the ambient temperature, in winter by screwing on the radiators, and in summer we can take our orchids into the garden by placing them in the shade of trees.Sometimes it is enough to limit the direct access of light, which is also a source of heat.
Orchid species that prefer lower temperatures are: Cymbidium, Masdevallia, Miltonia, Ondontoglossum, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum. The maximum temperature for these species during the day is 27 ° C, the minimum at night is 10 ° C.
In medium temperatures, Oncidium, Cattleya, Dendrobium, Laelia, Paphiopedilum with mosaic leaves feel good. The maximum temperature for these species during the day must not exceed 30 ° C, and at night it should not fall below 13 ° C.
Higher temperatures reaching a maximum of 32 ° C during the day and not falling below 15 ° C at night prefer: Phalaenopsis and Vanda.These are only examples, because here too there are exceptions to generally accepted rules and e.g. hybrids derived from crosses of various types can grow well in any temperature range.
6. Fertilizing orchids
"Orchid experts adhere to the rule weakly, every week. Where did it come from? Well, most orchids grow in nature on trees, receiving their nutrients very diluted with rain.Hence, it is better to use a highly diluted fertilizer one day a week during the period of strong plant growth.
There are manytypes of fertilizers for orchids on the market , their dosage varies: from 1/4 up to 1/2 teaspoon per liter of water. It is important to follow the manufacturer&39;s instructions. Remember - better less than more. I personallyuse an orchid fertilizer every two weeksIt is important to understand the needs of our orchids, as some orchids need a resting period while others need fertilizing. "
7. Air humidity and orchid sprinkling
Depending on the speciesorchids prefer an air humidity of 40% to 70%Ambient humidity reduces evaporation from the leaves. It is not necessary to keep the humidity constant, and even to keep our orchids in good condition, it is sometimes good to lower the humidity even to 40%. Also, nothing will happen if the air humidity fluctuates between 90% - 100% for a short time.However, if humidity remains at this level for a long time, especially as the temperature drops, it can lead to excessive condensation and settling on the orchid leaves, which can cause rot and mold formation. To correctly determine the humidity level, you can use a hygrometer.
If we have dry air in the room with orchids, we can buy one of the air humidifiers available on the market. In stores you can find various types of humidifiers and at different prices. However, if you only have a few orchids, or you do not want to expose yourself to additional costs, you can usesimple home methods of humidifying the air around the orchidsOne of them is, for example, hanging wet towels on a radiator. A more effective way: sprinkle expanded clay on the tray and pour water slightly below the surface of the expanded clay. Place pots with orchids on the trays prepared in this way. Important: the roots must not touch the water. The problem of excessive humidity in houses does not occur, so we have nothing to fear from this side.
8. What kind of air for orchids?
Orchids, like people, need fresh airThey hate nicotine smoke, react badly to the ethylene content in the air, so avoid placing orchids, baskets or fruit plates nearby, especially apples. Also, cooking on a gas cooker, using sprays, the release of compounds from paints, floor panels, plastics can also be harmful to orchids. That is whyit is good to ventilate the room where our orchids are located regularlyJust be careful that during airing, too strong a stream of cold air does not blow the orchids, because it can lead to dropping flower buds. If ventilation is not possible, a fan can be used to improve air circulation.
9. Orchid replanting
"Orchids do not like to replant too oftenIt is enough to do it every 2-3 years on average. And they certainly do not like too large pots, in which the root ball dries too slowly. In this case, there are also exceptions, and so, for example, some Paphiopedilum or Miltonie like to be replanted every year, but here, as in previous cases, you need to get to know the needs of your plants in more detail. However, in most cases, we wait for new growths to grow far beyond the edge of the pot or for the substrate in which the orchids are growing to be decomposed and become uniform and soft, making it difficult for air to circulate around the roots. Replanting orchids should also be done when the substrate is excessively s alty and even rinsing under running water does not work.
For transplanting, it is best to usespecial substrates for orchids , usually based on the bark wood. We can get such a substrate in a garden store without any problems.You can also prepare such a substrate yourself, but here you need to have some knowledge and experience. We transplant to a slightly larger pot, because I will emphasize it again, most orchids grow in small pots. We do not replant orchids at any time, according to my own opinion. Here, too, it is best to get acquainted with the specific needs of our orchids. And so, for example, Paphiopedilum is best transplanted in winter after flowering, and Miltonia and Odontioda prefer autumn replanting.
On this occasion, I will mentionorchids grown without substrate in basketsDominates the opinion that such plants cannot grow in the substrate because it is harmful to them. Nothing could be more wrong. Vanda orchids can also be grown in the ground. We can easily prepare such a substrate by using a mixture prepared in equal proportions of hazelnut shells (you must not use walnut shells because they contain tannin that is harmful to orchids), peanut shells, polystyrene and charcoal.We plant Vandas in the prepared substrate by tapping the pot for better distribution of the substrate and stabilization of the plant. We never knead the ground. Before planting, you need to remove all damaged roots and spray with a fungicide. After planting, do not water the plant for about 14 days to give it time to acclimatize to the new conditions. "
10. Mycorrhiza in the life of orchids
"Most orchids in nature live in close symbiosis with mycorrhizal fungi.Fungi decompose organic substances in the substrate, thus releasing minerals needed by plants for proper development. All orchids in nature need mushrooms to reproduce from seeds. Orchids that grow at home are deprived of the support that would be given by beneficial mushrooms. The company Mykoflor came to our aid by producing live mycorrhizal mycelium for orchids. You can often hear voices that the use of mycorrhiza is a new fashion. Perhaps it was the fashion that caused a greater interest in mycorrhiza, it is important that thanks to the use of mycelium our orchids will gain greater resistance to root pathogens, less sensitivity to environmental stresses, better water supply, greater ability to absorb nutrients, including those difficult to digest, such as phosphorus, more abundant flowering and overall better condition. Thanks to the use of mycorrhiza, the cultivation of the orchid will become much easier. with which we apply the mycelium directly to the roots. You can also dissolve the content of the syringe in water and then bathe the orchids in it. The mycorrhizal vaccine is used once for the entire life of the plant.The effectiveness of the mycorrhizal vaccine for orchids by Mykoflor has been proven by vaccine efficacy study for Phalaenopsis. This orchid had a bad root system. About two and a half months after the mycorrhization, the increase in a large mass of roots was clearly visible, and the overall improvement of the plant&39;s condition.
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"I strongly encourage you to become interested in this interesting group of plants. Orchids are extremely hardy plants. Sometimes it seems that we have made so many cultivation mistakes that the orchid is in such a state that it cannot be saved.While in the case of other plants, it is easy for us to decide to throw the plant in the trash, in the case of orchids, do not make such a decision hastily. You will always manage to get rid of the plant, but before you do it,try to revive the orchidMore than once, you just need to help the plant a little so that it rises like a Phoenix from the ashes. Orchids have an incredible power to fight for their existence, unknown to me in other plants. I hope these few tips will dispel your concerns and make you decide to buy an orchid without fear. If you need more information, please visit our discussion forum: Forum Ogrodnicze STORCZYKI "
Tatiana Ciesielska
