Phalaenopsis orchid: the main types and options for home care

Phalaenopsis orchid is very beautiful, unusual and easy to care for. The eye-catching plant on the window does not leave indifferent any passer-by.

The main varieties of Phalaenopsis

There are a lot of flower varieties: these are Liodoro, Big Lip, Mandala, Stone Rose and others.

What does an orchid look like?

Phalaenopsis Liodoro

The Liodoro hybrid was bred by scientists, its distinctive features are the presence of a smell and an unusual color. Its second name is Sweetmemory. The variety was registered in America in the 80s. It was brought out by R. Smith. The scientist crossed the Deventeriana and Violacea varieties. The plant turned out with shiny leaves, large flowers and tall peduncles.

Phalaenopsis Big Lip

The flower stands out for its resemblance to the wings of a butterfly. Big lip is translated as "big lips". In the middle of the flower, the lower petal is large enough, and it is also slightly expanded. The petals themselves are easily injured, soft, delicate, so the plant is difficult to transport.

Phalaenopsis Mandala

Orchid Mandala has a very amazing color. Its flower is creamy-golden, the middle is white, the lip is small, the color of a tiger. The length of the plant is 60 cm. The size of the flower can be up to 9 centimeters. Like other species, Mandala needs high humidity, moderate watering and protection from the influence of the scorching rays of the sun.

Phalaenopsis Stone Rose

This Phalaenopsis variety is called Echeveria. Also his other formulations are Stone Rose, Green Rose, Stone Flower. It belongs to the perennial herbaceous plants of the Tolstyankov family. Originally grown in Mexico, it can also be found in Central and South America.

In nature, there are more than 200 varieties. The plant is popularly called "stone rose". It looks like a rose flower in appearance. It has no thorns, the leaves are smooth, as if carved from stone.

The plant either does not have a stem, or it is very short. The leaves are arranged in a spiral, fleshy, covered with fluff. They are distinguished by an oval or flat shape.

Phalaenopsis Stone Rose

The flowers are bright fiery red or orange. They look like a bell.

Other types of Phalaenopsis

There are many other varieties:

• Hybrid Dendrobium Berry Oda, characterized by high temperature tolerance, compactness (height - up to 40 cm).
• The white orchid Amabilis is the progenitor of many varieties. The most popular hybrids are Diamant, Gold Lip, Salt Lake and others. They differ in flower size and height.
• The blue orchid is a rare and expensive hybrid. Japanese breeders in 2013 bred the variety Aphrodite, to which they added the blue gene of the Commeline. The world's first blue orchid was called Aphroditeblue. The rest of the species are artificially dyed through watering.
• Phalaenopsis Wildcat is a rare spotted species native to Australia and the Philippines. There are more than 20 varieties of flowers. The color of the bud is white-yellow with purple-purple spots. The structure of the petals is dense, waxy and sparkling. Depending on the care, the specks can be more or less.
• Phalaenopsis mini - differs in medium-sized flowers, 4 cm in diameter, short peduncles and leaves up to 15 cm long. Micro orchid pleases with long flowering. The care requirements are the same as for large individuals.
  

  Phalaenopsis mini

• Phalaenopsis Cleopatra is the most popular selling orchid in the world. It is distinguished by its unpretentiousness, good survival rate at low humidity. The flowers are a mix of white or white-yellow buds with lilac, pinkish, purple specks. There are species with pink flowers.

Orchid care at home

Each buyer, purchasing a flower, thinks: "How to take care of Phalaenopsis?" There are no particular problems with this. You can use these recommendations.

Orchid Phalaenopsis home care:

1. House temperature. The thermal regime in the orchid room is optimal. Conditioner can negatively affect the plant. He dries it out. Therefore, the orchid will have to be moistened. Also, the orchid does not tolerate draft well. In order for the buds to appear on the flower, you can lower the temperature during the day to 12 degrees, at night - by another 2 degrees. You need to move to normal temperature gradually.
2. Lighting. In summer, it is better to limit the bright rays of the sun, as the leaves of the orchid can burn out. It is better to choose east or west windows so that the light is diffused. In winter and autumn, additional lighting is needed in order for the flower to bloom and the leaves do not turn yellow. For example, one plant needs a 40 W lamp.
3. Watering. To see the root system of a flower, you can plant it in a transparent pot. By the color of the roots, you can determine the need for watering. When the roots turn light gray, then moisture is required. You can water by immersing the pot in a container of water for 5 minutes. This will allow the plant to take in as much moisture as it needs. In opaque pots, you need to focus on the topsoil. If it is dry, you need to give it resuscitation - moisten it.

To prevent rot, the Phalaenopsis flower is occasionally taken out of the pot and the roots are examined. The spoiled processes are cut off. The soil must be replaced. In the cold season, watering is reduced, in the warm season, it is increased. With a lack of moisture, orchid leaves become thinner and turn yellow.

Picture 2 Watering the orchid

4. Priming. The earth should dry out quickly. Basically they make this composition:

• Pieces of expanded clay, polystyrene;
• Moss sphagnum;
• Oak or pine bark;
• Pome husk;
• Charcoal;
• Perlite.

This composition facilitates air access to the roots. By the appearance of the plant, you can understand that the soil is selected correctly. All soil components must be thoroughly rinsed and heat treated. The moss is soaked for a day, the solid components are washed. Everything that is possible is calcined in the oven. These procedures will prevent the development of fungi and pests.

5. Fertilizers. Orchids need to be fed periodically. Soluble mineral fertilizers with phosphorus, nitrogen, iron are used. These components improve flowering, leaf growth, and plant protection against diseases. Banana peel chunks can be used as organic natural additives.

The most popular fertilizer is a mineral-soaked orchid stick. It is inserted near the side of the pot. When watering, the fertilizer gradually dissolves.

You can also get acquainted with the care of orchids on the YouTube channel "Phalaenopsis Georgy Goryachevsky"

Phalaenopsis bloom

Orchids give flowers 2 times a year, sometimes three. The bud diameter is 2-15 cm. Peduncles can be covered with 3-40 pcs. flowers. It depends on the state of the plant and its branches. There are plants with peduncles up to 1 meter and buds up to 100 pieces. Phalaenopsis's color palette ranges from white to dark purple, from yellow to reddish. Distinctive features are streaks, specks, spots of various tones. There are Phalaenopsis species that can produce pleasant aromas.Flowering lasts from 8 weeks to six months.

In order for Phalaenopsis to bloom well, it needs to create favorable conditions: optimal lighting, temperature, watering, the introduction of minerals, moisture. On the southern windows, the plant produces buds more often and earlier, but it needs to be protected from the scorching sun. It is necessary not to overmoisten the soil so as not to block the peduncles with new sprouts.

For better flowering, you need to fertilize orchids 1-2 times a month. First, the plant is watered, then fertilizer is applied.

Bloom

Phalaenopsis' growth process is continuous. To stimulate flowering, you can slow down its growth in the spring by lowering the temperature. Thus, the orchid will release buds faster.

Temperature fluctuations affect flowering. Changes of 4-5 degrees during the day and at night contribute to the lush and intense growth of the buds. Hot weather at 32-35 degrees promotes the growth of leaves, but does not promote flowering.

After the buds wither, the peduncle is not cut off, as flowers may form again, or a new shoot will grow. Alternatively, you can cut off the arrow 1 cm above the dormant bud. This procedure stimulates the formation of a new shoot or children.

Some Phalaenopsis species bloom on the same peduncles for many years.

Reproduction methods

There are many types of orchid breeding, of which 2 are main.

Separating roots

For the reproduction of Phalaenopsis, you need to choose a suitable specimen. Its roots must be healthy, each of them must have several pseudobulbs. Can also be bred with aerial roots. A formed strong root is picked up.

Reproduction by division

Flowers with a thickened stem and dormant buds are best suited for breeding. The best time for breeding is spring. This is a time of active growth, and the plant has accumulated many useful substances. The division should be done after the orchid has faded. To begin with, remove the peduncle with a sharp, sterile knife. Powder the cut off place with charcoal.

Separation stages:

1. Remove the plant from the pot.
2. Remove the soil from the roots by shaking the flower gently.
3. Place the plant in water with a temperature of 30-35 degrees for 30 minutes.
4. Disinfect the knife. Cut the roots.
5. Sprinkle over the incision with cinnamon, activated charcoal or charcoal.
6. Leave the plant to dry for 2 hours.
7. Place in pots.

Reproduction by children

It is necessary to observe the flowers, periodically moisten from a spray bottle. The emergence of strong roots and leaves means that the orchid has taken root. You can water the plant as usual.

Reproduction by children

There are three breeding methods:

• Children at the roots;
• On the trunk;
• On the peduncle.

The baby is on a peduncle. It looks like a kidney. They have been stimulating it since February. Plants are placed in the west or east, shading it so that the sun hits only the peduncle. During the day it is necessary to maintain 27 degrees, and at night - 17. Reduce watering. Do not feed the plant until the bud wakes up.

Then move the plant to a dark and warm place. Normalize watering and feed the orchid to the leaves. As soon as the bud grows well, you can fertilize at the root. When the baby grows 3 leaves, and the roots develop up to 2 cm (after about six months), you can separate it and plant it.

The pot is taken the same as for an adult plant: transparent and with holes. You can add soil from the mother orchid 1: 1 to it. There should be an optimal level of temperature and moisture. Do not allow direct sunlight directed at the baby. Fertilize by following the instructions for the breeding method.

Phalaenopsis orchid is an amazing plant in terms of variety of species and beauty. She pleases the eye with her flowering and unpretentious care.