Phalaenopsis black orchid - description and types
Content:
Orchids are popular decorative plants. At the same time, it is a very delicate plant that requires special care to stay healthy. Black orchids are very rare in homes and therefore arouse interest.
Characteristics of the black orchid
Applied to indoor floriculture, the genus Phalaenopsis is the most common of the Orchid family. The popularity is due to the fact that the representatives of the genus are quite easy to care for. This genus has about fifty different species, all of tropical origin. Phalaenopsis orchids are native to exotic countries such as Taiwan, the Philippines and Australia.
Orchids are never completely black
The black orchid is the original flower. However, there is not much true black in nature. In fact, this shade is provided by a special blue or purple pigments. Phalaenopsis black at close range turns out to be maroon or dark purple. But still, these flowers are beautiful.
It is not surprising that Tom Ford created his famous Black Orchid perfume based on the scent of the black orchid. Ford's Orchid is not even a scent, but a step towards bohemian luxury. It is worth noting that plants can have different shades. For example, Black Pearl phalaenopsis can have pinkish red, burgundy, or deep purple petals.
Common varieties and varieties
Even the so-called black orchids exist in several varieties and varieties.
Orchid Black Pearl
They differ in appearance and sometimes do not look alike at all. The most popular are presented below.
- Black bird
Has a deep blueberry shade. The flowers are located on one peduncle, they are large, with a waxy gloss. The flowering is very effective and long lasting.
- Black Prince
Has an almost ink shade. A characteristic feature is white spots in the center.
It can reach a height of up to 50 cm, the diameter of the flower is not more than 7 cm.
- Black Pearl
This black phalaenopsis orchid is the fruit of careful selection. Its flowers have a very unusual shape, the plant forms up to 4 peduncles. The color is burgundy with a slight purple tint, the leaves are of a rich emerald color.
- Black Widow
A very attractive plant. The shade is very juicy, colorful, and you just want to touch the petals. The black orchid flower has an elegant shape.
- Not the most famous varieties of black orchids
Black Trevor, Black Mamba and Black Swan orchids are interesting varieties.
Orchid Black Trevor
All of them need appropriate care, without which they will not be so attractive.
Planting a plant
General tips and tricks for orchid care apply to most plants on the market. These impressive flowers require basic maintenance that is not that hard. However, you need to know their specific preferences, such as the amount of watering, the required lighting, the temperature, the type of environment, etc.
Planting in a pot
Phalaenopsis orchids are in dire need of lighting, so finding a suitable spot to bloom properly is essential. For this reason, it is advisable to place them next to a window or terrace, but without direct rays.The ideal temperature should be around +22 ºC during the day and between +16 ºC and +20 ºC at night.
A plastic pot is usually a good choice because when it comes time to transplant the plant, the plastic is much easier to peel off and can even be cut off if necessary to remove the roots as carefully as possible.
Ready-made substrates are available from nurseries and garden centers, which are usually made from cork, white peat, charcoal, vermiculite, polystyrene and coconut fiber. All of these materials have in common that they are spongy, lightweight and resistant, capable of storing water and nutrients, maintaining optimal conditions for caring for orchid roots.
Watering
Watering is probably one of the most delicate aspects of orchid care. The water must be soft enough to almost completely eliminate tap water, which usually contains dilute salts. They concentrate in the substrate and roots of plants, disrupting their growth and flowering.
Watering the plant
Any description of the irrigation procedure says that it is advisable to use rainwater. But this is quite difficult, because few people will be able to collect and store water every time it rains.
As a substitute, you can use bottled water with a low content of mineral salts, sodium, calcium. Orchids usually do not need a lot of water to bloom.
Water should be watered only when the ground surface is practically dry. Therefore, this should be done about twice a week in the spring and summer, during the hottest months; and every two weeks in winter and autumn. In the period from March to October, it is advisable to add a small amount of special fertilizers to the water.
To water properly, follow these instructions:
- Orchids prefer a moderately moist substrate because if it is too moist, the roots cannot breathe and will rot.
- It is best to leave the substrate dry by watering it a day later. Therefore, the frequency of watering will depend on the ambient temperature.
- You can make sure the plant needs water if the substrate is dry to the touch or if the roots are whitish. If they are green, then no watering is needed.
- Watering should be abundant without flooding the roots.
- The water should be at room temperature.
Care should be taken not to moisturize the flowers to avoid staining. It is also necessary to avoid getting water on the surface of the leaves.
Reproduction methods
Orchids can reproduce in two ways: by cuttings or by seeds.
Reproduction methods
Unlike violets, leaves alone are not enough to grow orchids.
Reproduction through cuttings gives confidence that a new plant has the same genetic characteristics as its parent. Seed samples are not identical. Some species of the genus Dendrobium and Phalaenopsis form small new plants themselves.
Aerial roots emerge from the stem. When the roots take on a size of 3 to 4 centimeters, the new plant is separated, they begin to heal wounds with coal dust and placed in a pot.
Top dressing and fertilizers
Providing nutrients to your orchids is a good way to stimulate natural growth and new flowers. Orchids should be fertilized during the growing season.
Top dressing and fertilizers
As with watering, it is better to apply less fertilizer rather than more. Epiphytic plants have very few nutrients in their natural habitat.
Plant transplant
Epiphytic orchids rarely need a larger pot, however, it is important to renew the substrate from time to time so that the roots breathe well and can dry evenly.
It is recommended to transplant an orchid every two to three years, regardless of the condition. It is also important to pay attention to the types of orchid pots. If there are a lot of roots or they go beyond the edge of the pot, then the plant definitely needs to replace the container. You also need to change the substrate if traces of fungus or decay are visible.
Before proceeding with the transplant, it is necessary to make a small drainage (pebbles or polystyrene), the flower pot itself needs to be cleaned and disinfected.
Transplant procedure:
- To remove the plant, you need to press your hand on the surface of the pot to detach the roots. Then hit the base.
- Remove the old backing completely.
- Cut off all dead roots with disinfected scissors.
- Disinfect wounds with coal dust or cinnamon.
After that, the phalaenopsis can be planted in a new container on fresh soil.
Pruning black orchid
Any organic debris such as leaves or fallen flowers should be removed as soon as possible to avoid rotting. Large cuts or wounds need to be healed. To close the wound, the incisions should be dusted with coal dust or cinnamon.
Pests and diseases
Orchids need fresh air, care must be taken to ensure that the room in which they are located has minimal daily ventilation, but is not exposed to the cold winter air.
Affected leaves
Air renewal is necessary in order to avoid the appearance of certain types of diseases, mainly caused by fungi.
The most common pests are snails and slugs, especially if orchids are in the garden. If you notice any symptoms of disease, it is recommended that you contact a specialized garden center, where experts in the field can help and recommend remedies.
With proper care, black orchids can bloom several times a year. In fact, Phalaenopsis orchids will adapt much better to indoor life than to outdoor conditions. And varieties with black flowers are of constant interest to everyone.
