How to care for an orchid

Large leaves, tall flower stalks, decorated with bright butterflies - this is an orchid that is very difficult to care for at home. This foreign beauty came to us from the distant tropics and has long become the pride of many flower growers. Despite the clearly expressed heat-loving character and high maintenance requirements, she liked the local conditions. Of course, on the territory of our vast homeland, even in its warmest regions, it is only possible to grow orchids at home. While such flowers grow right under the canopy of trees in distant China or Australia, we can create tropics for them exclusively indoors. However, this is more than enough for orchids to grow and delight with their unique blooms.

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However, before you buy a lovely tropical flower, you should learn all about orchids at home. After all, in order for them to feel good, they should create conditions that are as close to natural as possible. Warmth, moisture, moderate lighting - that's what these beauties need. And, of course, it is also necessary to properly care for plants throughout their life, taking into account different periods of development.

Luxurious orchid - care at home, taking into account growing technology

First of all, it is worth noting that there are many types and varieties of orchids. Some of them grow, like most plants, in the soil, while most are epiphytes and live on trees. They feed not with roots, but with leaves, through which they absorb life-giving moisture. This does not mean that orchids are rootless crops. They have them, but they only serve more to give the outlet stability. One of these representatives is phalaenopsis, the most popular home orchid among gardeners.

But regardless of the species, all orchids are heat-loving tropics that require special maintenance conditions.

The room where they are located should have:

• warm;
• damp;
• light, but without direct rays.

Comfortable temperature

The room should have a stable above-zero temperature, preferably with a difference between day and night temperatures. Plants feel best at 23°C. Higher temperatures have a negative effect on them: they quickly dry out the substrate and reduce leaf turgor. At the same time, coolness is needed for the formation of buds. In order for an orchid to bloom annually, profusely and for a long time, at night the temperature must drop 5 - 8 ° lower.

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Drafts and cold air flow from the air conditioner are destructive for flowers. First of all, the leaves suffer from them, becoming covered with spots. Then the orchid may die completely.

Air humidity

Orchids require high levels of air humidity, which is typical for the tropics. It is somewhat difficult to maintain it in an apartment, especially during the heating season. Therefore, plants must be sprayed frequently.

A special device - an air humidifier - will help maintain the desired humidity in the house.

This is especially convenient during the flowering period of orchids, because water should not get on the buds. Brown spots appear on them, which spoils the appearance. In addition, the flowers no longer last as long and fade quickly.

Orchid: care at home in compliance with the lighting regime

Tropical plants need indirect light. Since in nature orchids grow under the protection of tree crowns, they do not like direct rays. South-facing windows are completely unsuitable for these crops - they quickly “burn out” there. It is better to place the pot on western window sills. Oriental ones are also suitable, but on the condition that in the morning, when the sun is shining in them, the flowers will be shaded. In winter this is not so important, but the spring sun already burns well through the glass and causes burns.

In winter, on the contrary, the orchid needs additional lighting, especially if this period coincides with its flowering. If there is insufficient lighting, the buds may never open fully, and the foliage turns pale and yellow.

It is advisable to provide additional lighting to plants in the fall, starting in October, when daylight hours begin to decrease. In most species, it is during this period that the formation of flower buds occurs. If the orchid does not have enough light, it may not bloom. Accordingly, another main point in caring for an orchid at home is winter supplementary lighting.

In order for a flower stalk to appear at the end of winter, it is necessary to provide at least 10 hours of daylight.

How to properly care for an orchid

When growing these plants, it is important to create the most adapted conditions for successful growth and development, close to natural ones. Then subsequent care will not cause any difficulties. Let's see what needs to be done step by step.

Location and lighting

This is a very important question: how often and how well your orchid will bloom depends on the supply of the required amount of light.

1. If there is too little light, then during the growing season the orchid will not have enough strength to begin to form buds and bloom. But if the strong sun constantly falls on the crown of the flower, the plant will burn.
2. The most comfortable place will be the eastern or western side of the room, where there is diffused lighting almost all day long. Daylight for an orchid should last at least 12 hours.
3. In the autumn-winter period, it is necessary to organize additional artificial lighting. And in the hot summer period, it is advisable to shade the window with blinds and tulle. As an option: you can place the flowerpot a little away from the south window so that direct sunlight does not fall on the leaf plates.

Temperature

The most unpleasant thing for these decorative flowers is dampness, drafts, and during the winter months, dry and hot air in the room, generated due to the operation of heating devices and radiators. In addition, different types of orchids may have different room temperature requirements.

• Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Cattleya prefer temperatures in the daytime within +25 - 32 degrees, and at night - +18 - 20.
• For varieties that naturally grow in mountainous areas, the temperature should be slightly lower: during the day +20 - 22 degrees, at night +15 - 18. Among them are Odontoglossums, Miltonias and others.
• Paphiopedilums and Lelias successfully develop and bloom at moderate temperatures in the daytime - +19 - 22, and at night the optimal temperature will be +15 - 18 degrees.

Watering

The frequency of moistening the substrate largely depends on the type of orchid, as well as on the temperature and humidity level in the room where the plant is located. All factors must be taken into account so as not to harm the flower.

1. Under natural conditions, the orchid root system is not in a humid environment, so many species cannot tolerate stagnation of water in the roots. Putrefactive processes immediately begin, and the leaf blades begin to acquire a yellowish tint.
2. Odontoglossum, Phalaenopsis, Cymbidium and Paphiopedium grow well when the substrate is slightly moistened almost constantly. Oncidium, Cattleya, Dendrobium will require almost complete drying of the substrate in the flowerpot between waterings.
3. It is necessary to increase the number of waterings during the active growing season, when the plant develops and blooms. In winter, there is little lighting, and the temperature is lower, a period of rest begins, so the amount of moisture must be kept to a minimum.
4. Proper watering is as follows: place the flowerpot in a container with warm and settled water for 10 - 15 minutes, and then move it to the sink to drain off excess water. You can also water the orchid from the shower, and then also let the excess moisture drain. The process will take approximately half an hour.

Humidity level

The norm for orchids is at least 60 - 80%. Place the pot in a tray with moistened Sphagnum moss or gravel or expanded clay. During the summer months, you can moisturize the plant several times a day: morning and evening. It is important that the crown has time to dry before nightfall.

Also remember to ventilate the room regularly. Orchids need fresh air to develop and grow. But it is not recommended to place the flowerpot in a place where there is shade and drafts.

Fertilizer

The best option would be to purchase fertilizer for orchids. During the growing season, you need to feed the plant several times every 7 days. During the dormant period, feeding is gradually reduced to a minimum.

It is important to follow the indicated dosage, and for Miltonia you need to reduce the dose several times. Do not use fertilizers intended for other indoor plants.

What soil is needed for an orchid?

The composition of the soil depends entirely on the type of crop. As already mentioned, there are terrestrial and epiphytic varieties of orchids. Terrestrial species, such as cymbidium, naturally grow in the ground, so they also need soil at home.

It can be ordinary, but supplemented with useful additives that will give the orchid additional nutrition:

• rotted leaves;
• charcoal;
• peat.

Epiphytes require a special soil composition - they grow in the bark. Again, in nature, epiphytic orchids cling to the bark of trees with their aerial roots and grow on them. Therefore, home specimens should have similar conditions. Flower shops have a large selection of ready-made substrates specifically for orchids. For adult specimens, large-fraction bark is more suitable; young orchids need smaller fragments.

Orchids - epiphytes do not need nutritious soil. The main requirement for the soil is that it must quickly evaporate excess moisture.

Many gardeners prepare such soil mixtures on their own. The basis is store-bought ready-made soil for orchids.

Additional components are added to it to improve the structure and increase the looseness of the substrate:

• perlite;
• sphagnum;
• charcoal;
• expanded clay;
• oak or pine bark;
• husks from sunflower seeds.

Separately, it is worth mentioning about pots - for orchids it is better to use transparent plastic flowerpots. The roots are clearly visible in them and it is easy to determine when it is time to water the flower. And in case of rotting, it will be possible to notice the problem in time and prevent the death of the plant.

Ceramics for orchids is not the best choice, since the roots grow to the walls of the dish. During transplantation they are injured. If you really want to have a beautiful painted flowerpot, you can simply place a plastic pot with an orchid inside it.

Orchid - home care for lush flowering

It is not enough to create tropics for orchids at home; it is also important to properly care for them. Especially in terms of watering, because providing moisture has its own characteristics. No less important is feeding flowers that grow in non-nutritious substrate. They receive all the necessary elements for development and flowering exclusively through feeding. And well-developed rosettes also require a larger pot so that they are not crowded. Don’t forget about this point: how to care for an orchid at home depends on its specific type. Terrestrial varieties have slightly different requirements than epiphytes.

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How to water orchids

The thick gray roots in the pot and protruding above it are not really roots at all. Or rather, the roots themselves have the appearance of a thin but strong thread and are hidden precisely in this gray thickening. The spongy gray fabric is designed to absorb moisture and create reserves. It is she who feeds the filamentous roots, gradually releasing water. This determines the peculiarities of watering orchids. Despite the fact that they love moisture, its excess leads to rotting of the roots.

You should water orchids only after inspecting the contents of the flowerpot. If the roots are greenish, the pot is heavy and there are drops of condensation on its walls, there is enough moisture. Watering should be delayed until the roots become silver in color and the container is significantly lighter in weight. This means that the substrate has dried well and become light, and the moisture reserves in the spongy tissue have also been reduced to a minimum.

It is recommended to water orchids through a tray, immersing the pot in a bowl of lukewarm water.

In summer, when it is hot, the plants are watered more often, but not too much, so as not to flood them. In winter, the frequency of watering is reduced. But orchids love frequent spraying at any time of the year - this is another way for them to “get drunk.” In addition, as a result, air humidity increases, which only benefits the flowers.

How to fertilize plants

For orchids, it is necessary to use special liquid preparations that contain soluble mineral fertilizers. They are added to water when watering and spraying. To bloom profusely and for a long time, gorgeous beauties need phosphorus. To grow large foliage, they need nitrogen, and for metabolism and the formation of strong immunity - potassium. These are the three main components of any fertilizer, which have the required proportions. They vary depending on the purpose of application, for example, feeding flowering orchids or simply for growth. In addition to them, the preparations also contain other microelements that help the flower develop.

It’s not difficult to choose the right concentration, because there is a wide selection of fertilizers for orchids in stores.

For example, you can use one of the drugs that are in the photo below:

• Bona Forte;

• Pokon;

• Dr. Foley;

• Agricola;

• Agrecol.

Orchids do not have a rest period, so they need feeding all year round. In autumn and winter, once a month is sufficient; in spring and summer, fertilizers should be applied twice a month.

When to replant

On average, an orchid can grow in one pot for 2 – 3 years. But during this time the outlet grows greatly and requires more space. If the flowerpot is entangled with aerial roots that hang down on the windowsill, it means the orchid needs a transplant. In addition to increasing the size of the plant, the need for replanting is also caused by a change in the structure of the substrate. Over the course of several years, the bark begins to deteriorate, and air exchange between the roots is disrupted.

Replanting an orchid is a little more difficult than ordinary plants that grow in the ground. This is due to the fact that the roots often grow together with the bark, it is difficult to detach them, and it is inconvenient to fill the pot tightly with fresh bark.

But with a little effort, you can do everything quickly and, most importantly, carefully:

1. The first step is to remove the orchid from the pot. It comes out easily, but you need to hold it by the leaves.
2. Clean the roots from the substrate and inspect them thoroughly.
3. Cut off dry and rotten roots. Sprinkle the sections with crushed activated carbon.
4. Place a layer of fresh substrate at the bottom of the new pot.
5. Place the orchid in the center of the container, straighten the roots and cover with fresh bark. If necessary, use a pencil to push the pieces under the spine.

In case of orchid disease or root rotting, transplantation should be carried out immediately. All affected roots must be removed, and the remaining ones are treated with a fungicide.

Fertilizers

In the jungle, located on the treetops, the crop receives few nutrients, so at home, frequent feeding will not benefit the flower. Its roots are very sensitive to salt, and if there is an excess of fertilizers, they die.

An orchid can do without feeding at all: regular replanting into a new substrate is enough. If you still want to support the flower with additional nutrition, you can use special complex formulations. These include:

• nitrogen for foliage and shoots;
• phosphorus for roots and flowers;
• calcium for growth;
• potassium for disease resistance;
• magnesium for healthy metabolism.

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When keeping an orchid at home, it is enough to feed it once every 2-4 weeks, while during the dormant period the amount of fertilizer should be reduced as much as possible. The nutrient mixture is added to the substrate only after watering, strictly observing the proportions specified in the manufacturer’s instructions.

Home care after buying an orchid

In flower shops, all their green inhabitants live in a completely different climate, different from that of an apartment. There is higher humidity, and stably maintained, optimal temperature and lighting. Therefore, an orchid “torn out” from its usual conditions and brought home experiences real stress. She needs time to adapt to both less bright light and lower humidity. And also - to make friends with your “neighbors”, but at the same time not to infect them with possible insects - pests or fungi. Not often, but it happens and even store-bought copies can get sick.

What to do with the purchased flower? First of all, the pot with the plant is quarantined for a couple of days, placing it separately from other indoor flowers. This should be a cozy place, maybe partial shade - for this period the lighting requirements are not so high. The main thing is that there is no working heating radiator nearby. Moreover, for the first 2 weeks it is advisable not to place the orchid near other plants at all.

The first watering after purchase is carried out after 7 - 10 days, then you can water once a week - one and a half. Otherwise, caring for an orchid at home is the same as described above.

Do I need to replant a purchased orchid? If it is healthy and there are no pests, there is also no need for replanting. This is additional stress for the flower.

Humidity and watering

At home, the flower grows in conditions of high humidity 40-80%, absorbing water from the air. If the room is too dry, which often happens in winter with the beginning of the heating season, the leaves dry out. Excessive humidity and stagnation of liquid in the pot are also not beneficial, leading to the development of fungal diseases, rotting and death of the crop.

To ensure abundant flowering of a bush orchid in a pot during care, you should adhere to the following rules:

• Water once a week in winter and 2 times in summer.
• Replant the bush in a container with a hole for water drainage. This way it is possible to avoid stagnation of liquid in the pot.
• Water only with settled or filtered water. At home, the flower absorbs mainly rainwater, which contains few salts. If you use tap water, excess lime compounds can destroy the plant.
• Do not leave drops of liquid on the leaves after watering to avoid spreading the fungus.
• To prevent diseases at high air humidity, you need to ventilate the room or turn on artificial ventilation.
• If the room is too dry, you can spray the leaves in the morning, install electronic humidifiers, or place containers of water or an aquarium nearby.

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Maintaining air humidity, moderate watering and replanting the orchid at home in a container with holes in the bottom is the basis for proper plant care.

An orchid is blooming: care at home should be special

During the flowering period, orchids need special care and the creation of more comfortable living conditions. At this time they need more lighting, in addition, it is advisable to move the pot to a warmer room. But this must be done at the stage of formation of the peduncle, because it is impossible to rearrange the flowering bush.

During flowering, you cannot replant the orchid and spray its buds and flowers.

Blooming orchids need regular watering, so it is important not to let the substrate dry out completely. They also need feeding with special mineral complexes that will help prolong flowering.

Orchid propagation

Some varieties reproduce primarily by children, while others reproduce by simple division of growth points. It all depends on what kind of orchid, but all types can be propagated using seeds. Although at home this method is almost never used due to the labor-intensive and time-consuming process.

You can also propagate indoor orchids in this way:

1. Division. Suitable for dendrobiums and other sympodial species that have many growing points. It is better to divide only very overgrown orchids, leaving at least 3 pseudobulbs on each division. Then the new plant will take root easier and bloom faster.

2. Rooting of root children. To obtain them, the old plant is divided horizontally, leaving a trunk with several roots. There should also be a couple of leaves on the stalk that is left. Over time, basal children with their own roots form on it.

3. Cuttings. It is noteworthy that all types of orchids can be taken from cuttings. Sympodials are propagated by cuttings of pseudobulbs, and monopodials by cuttings of peduncles.

4. Separation and rooting of children formed on the peduncle. They may appear on their own or they can be stimulated using hormonal paste.

Sometimes you can find orchid bulbs on sale. They are actually pseudobulbs of a variety called cycnades. It is planted “standing” in dry bark, only slightly deeper, and is not watered until roots form.

Thus, orchids and caring for them at home are not such a difficult task. Knowing the specific development and requirements of these tropical plants, it is quite possible to please them. And in return, the orchids will delight you with gorgeous blooms.