Spring protection of garden plants from pests and diseases. Description of the most common types of indoor orchids

Among the many plants in the store Special attention attracted to orchids. These beautiful flowering plants will decorate any interior, but the main thing is to look after them properly so that they delight you with their beauty long time.

It is necessary to select the right soil, maintain the level of humidity, lighting, and water the plant so as not to harm or lead to the death of the flower.

How to adapt and care for a flower after purchase

For an orchid, changing a place and moving is a stressful situation. To pass it without consequences, you need to observe quarantine for a certain time. It lasts approximately several weeks. To carry it out, the plant is placed in a room where there are no other flowers.

If there is no separate room, then the orchid is placed on a separate shelf, but away from direct lines. sun rays.

A new orchid needs rest. It is not fertilized at this time. The flower must gradually independently adapt to the new microclimate. In the first weeks, you can avoid excessive watering; it is enough to monitor the condition of the stem and main leaves in order to eliminate pests and diseases in a timely manner.

After a few weeks, the orchid can be placed on the windowsill with other plants, but it is better not immediately, but placed for a couple of hours in the evening or in the morning so that the plant gradually gets used to the new light regime. It's also time to water indoor flower.

Varieties and types of orchids

Flower growers adore beautifully blooming orchids, of which there are a huge variety. The most common are the following:

Phalaenopsis is a variety that occupies a leading position due to its beautiful flowering. It is grown at home and adapts perfectly to different microclimates. The plant needs moderate watering, moderate fertilizing, a darkened windowsill, and average indoor humidity.
Cymbidium – luxury grade orchids, ideal for artificial propagation on a regular windowsill. The colors of the flowers are usually pastel, light and warm. They usually appear in winter.
Cattleya is a colorful flower - crimson, yellowish, purple, pinkish. Likes moderately warm and warm room, bright lighting, average humidity, good drainage for the soil. Water the orchid with softened warm water.
Dendrobium is an easy-to-grow and easy-to-care indoor crop. Produces lavender-colored flowers and blooms for several weeks. Kept at average temperatures, requires infrequent feeding. Tolerates dry climates if the flower is sprayed periodically.
Miltonia is similar to the pansy flower. It’s a good idea to keep such an orchid not on the windowsill, but in the middle of the room. It needs an influx of fresh air, as well as protection from direct sun, even and frequent moistening of the soil, but without drying out or waterlogging the substrate.

Proper lighting for the plant

This is an important parameter for proper care and growing a healthy plant. It determines whether the flower will produce new shoots and enter into flowering. With the right lighting, flowers will appear regularly. With a lack of light or too much light, the leaves gradually lighten, turn yellow and dry out.

When choosing a place for a plant, the following points must be taken into account:

long daylight hours, at least 12 hours. If this period is shorter, it is necessary to illuminate the flower artificially - with fluorescent lighting devices;
The orchid prefers abundant diffused light. Direct sun is not suitable;
in the summer months it is better to place the plant in a dark place; you can stick a matte film on the windows so that direct rays do not fall on the leaves;
in the autumn season there is no need to darken the foliage, because right now the shoots are maturing and the dormant period begins.

If these conditions are not met, the plant may gradually die.

Proper watering of an orchid

In nature, orchids bloom in conditions away from high humidity. Their root system does not tolerate stagnant water, although different varieties require their own conditions, for example, Dendrobium grows well in a dry substrate that rarely needs to be moistened. Phalaenopsis prefers a moist substrate. In general, all varieties of orchids are universal to temporary drought and waterlogging.

Increased watering is needed when the plant is actively producing flowers. If it does not receive enough water, the leaves will wrinkle, and if they become wet and yellow, they rot - this is an indicator of excessive waterlogging of the soil.

In the winter months, when the room is cool and there is insufficient lighting, there is no need to heavily moisturize the orchid roots. This is also suitable during the dormant period and after the flowering stage.

It is correct to water the flower with soft, warm water. Rain or melt water is ideal, although regular boiled water is also suitable. In the hot season, the orchid is watered as the top layer of soil dries, about 1-2 times a week. After watering, the water should drain from the drainage holes of the pot.

Suitable temperature conditions

Based on the air temperature required for normal growth, orchids are divided into several types:

Cold-loving plants grow in natural conditions in high mountain areas. The ideal temperature for them is plus 12-15 degrees in winter and at night, and up to plus 22 degrees in summer and day.
Medium-temperature plants grow in mountainous tropical regions. In summer, during the day, a temperature of 18-23 degrees is suitable for them, and at night and in the winter months - 12-16 degrees.
Heat-loving flowers grow in tropical climates. They love warm climates from 18-32 degrees. At night, 15-18 degrees is enough for them. The difference per day should not be more than 5 indicators.

On average, almost all varieties of orchids are suitable for home cultivation in Russia, if the room is properly heated in winter.

Feeding and fertilizers for orchids

Any homemade ornamental plant needs to be fed and fertilized. This is necessary during the period of bud release and increased growth. Fertilizer is applied to the soil no more than once a month. Fertilizers from the store are suitable - Bona Forte, Greenworld.

When fertilizing, you need to rinse the soil with plain water, alternating regular watering with fertilizing. In winter and during the rest period there is no need to feed your green pet. Fertilizers should only be used that are produced specifically for orchids.

Amateur and professional flower growers do not prefer to frequently feed their orchids. Frequent application of fertilizers reduces the flower’s own defenses. Usually the flower gets everything it needs from a high-quality substrate. It is updated every 1-2 years.

How to choose the right flower in a store

At the time of purchase beautiful plant in the nursery, garden store or greenhouse, you need to pay attention to the following factors:

It is best to order a flower from a nursery;
the root system should be branched and solid, partially protruding from the soil;
the leaves should have a uniform color - a reddish-greenish or emerald green tone without yellow spots or inclusions, the foliage should not be dried out or limp;
choose a flower variety suitable for home care;
You should buy an orchid during flowering to see the color, size and shape of the flowers;
leaves should look healthy, fresh, bright, without dried or torn off buds and branches.

You cannot buy a diseased plant at a discount. After purchase, it is packaged in a bag so as not to be damaged during transportation and not subject to sudden temperature changes.

How to propagate orchids at home

This amazing plant is propagated in different ways:

Vegetative propagation is suitable for all varieties of orchids. You just need to divide the root system of the flower. An ear of corn is left in each pot. This method is ideal if the plant is mature and large enough. It is pulled out of the pot, shaken off the ground and the roots are separated with garden shears. The sections are sprinkled with bulk coal and placed in separate pots. The substrate is moistened daily with a sprayer until the first shoots appear.
Reproduction of flowers by layering. Such shoots appear on cylindrical and long shoots. Part of the stem is bent and a small greenhouse is made, for example, from a small plastic jar. Dormant buds are moistened and waited until they take root and take root. Additionally, the shoot can be warmed up. In about a couple of weeks it should sprout new leaves. The entire cob is then separated from the main shoot and transplanted into small pot. Place it in a warm place or create a greenhouse.
Reproduction by young shoots. Small new shoots are suitable for separating and propagating the plant. The side cob is separated and treated with charcoal. Soon such “babies” send out roots if you water them.

Soil for a new or old plant can be purchased at the store. It should contain polystyrene foam, moss, crushed bark coniferous tree, expanded clay, charcoal. The pot should also be spacious so that the roots do not feel cramped.

Often gardeners buy transparent pots with holes for drainage. During transplantation, the roots are inspected. The rotten parts are removed with pruning shears or garden shears, the sections are treated with charcoal and dried. Droopy leaves are cut off at the root.

Proper care of an orchid during and after flowering

During flowering, it is important to take good care of your indoor plant. It needs sufficient watering. Warm showers and spraying are recommended. It is better to raise the night temperature, especially in winter, by a couple of degrees using heating devices. To prevent the roots from rotting, it is necessary to remove all liquid remaining under the pot after watering.

Transplant blooming orchid It is not advisable that it does not throw off the flowers and buds. He needs feeding. Moving the pot here and there is also not recommended.

After the flowering stage, the flower stalks turn black and dry out. They are cut off at the very root. In cold winters, it is enough to water the flower several times a month and spray it too. You can change the location by choosing a more illuminated place.

During a period of calm, it is possible to start propagating or transplanting into a more suitable pot with a new fresh substrate.

Ideal humidity for orchid growth

For successful healthy growth tropical plant The level of air humidification is important. In summer, a level of 60-70% is sufficient. In winter, it is necessary to humidify the air using artificial methods, because heating devices dry out the air greatly. To maintain optimal levels, use humidifiers or wet towels.

Young plant can be placed in a shallow, damp tray with moss. Moistened expanded clay is also used. Flower growers carefully and regularly spray foliage. Fungus can grow on exposed roots and succulent leaves if the plant is exposed to hypothermia after spraying, so it should be protected from drafts.

Why does an orchid get sick and turn yellow?

When growing and caring for orchids, various situations may arise that require a competent approach:

A beautiful flower will delight its owner for many years if you care for it correctly and carefully and adhere to the rules of propagation, replanting, watering and feeding.

Sakura is most often associated with Japan and its culture. Picnics under the canopy of flowering trees have long become an integral attribute of welcoming spring in the Land of the Rising Sun. Financial and academic year here it starts on April 1, when the magnificent cherry blossoms bloom. Therefore many significant moments in the life of the Japanese are marked by their flowering. But sakura also grows well in cooler regions - certain species can be successfully grown even in Siberia.

Agriculture is one of these types human activity, the successful outcome of which is not always directly proportional to the efforts made. Unfortunately, nature does not necessarily act as our ally when growing plants, and often, on the contrary, even throws up new challenges. Increased reproduction of pests, abnormal heat, late return frosts, hurricane winds, drought... And one of the springs gave us another surprise - a flood.

Let me confess my love today. In love with... lavender. One of the best unpretentious, evergreen and beautifully flowering shrubs that can be successfully grown in your garden. And if anyone thinks that lavender is a Mediterranean or at least southern resident, then you are mistaken. Lavender grows well in more northern regions, even in the Moscow region. But to grow it, you need to know some rules and features. They will be discussed in this article.

Once you have tried such an invaluable product as pumpkin, it is difficult to stop searching for new recipes for serving it to the table. Korean pumpkin, despite its pungency and spiciness, has a fresh and delicate taste. After cooking, you will need to cover the salad and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. My nutmeg pumpkin is very juicy and sweet, so there is no need to mash it. If the pumpkin is of a different variety, you can mash it with your hands so that it slightly releases the juice.

Salad, like the earliest and most unpretentious green culture, has always been held in high esteem by gardeners. Spring planting Most gardeners usually start by sowing lettuce, parsley and radishes. IN Lately The desire for healthy eating and a large selection of greens in supermarkets make gardeners wonder which of these plants can be grown in their beds? In this article we will talk about nine of the most interesting, in our opinion, varieties of salad.

Pollock is best prepared as a casserole, separating the fillet from the skin and bones. Pieces of fish are mixed with a colorful assortment of vegetables and topped with a sauce of cheese, sour cream and eggs. This fish casserole has a presentable appearance, and its taste is a bizarre mixture of subtle nuances. Vegetables and fillets will be soaked in sour cream, the cheese will harden into a golden brown crust, and the eggs will bind all the ingredients together. Pieces of fish are generously sprinkled with Italian herbs, and pollock acquires an unusual piquancy.

Despite the fact that calendar spring begins in March, you can truly feel the awakening of nature only with the advent of flowering plants in the garden. Nothing signals the arrival of spring more eloquently than clearings. blooming primroses. Their appearance is always a small celebration, because winter has receded and a new gardening season awaits us. But besides spring primroses, there is still a lot to see and admire in the garden in the month of April.

Rapidly growing and turning into wild thickets, hogweed disrupts the existing ecosystem and suppresses all other plants. Essential oils, contained in the fruits and leaves of hogweed, cause severe forms of dermatitis. At the same time, it is much more difficult to control than other common weeds. Fortunately, today a product has appeared on the market that can quickly rid your area of most weeds, including hogweed.

Carrots happen various colors: orange, white, yellow, purple. Orange carrots contain beta-carotene and lycopene, yellow due to the presence of xanthophylls (lutein); White carrots have a lot of fiber, and purple ones contain anthocyanin, beta and alpha carotenes. But, as a rule, gardeners choose carrot varieties for sowing not by the color of the fruit, but by the timing of their ripening. About the best early, middle and late varieties we will tell you in this article.

We recommend a fairly easy pie recipe with a delicious chicken and potato filling. An open pie with chicken and potatoes is an excellent hearty dish that is suitable for a hearty snack; it is very convenient to take a couple of pieces of this pastry on the road. The pie is baked in the oven for one hour at 180 degrees. After that we put it on wooden surface, having previously released it from the mold. It is enough to slightly cool the baked goods and you can start tasting.

The long-awaited spring for many indoor plants is the period of the start of active growing season, and for most - the return of their decorative properties. While admiring the young leaves and emerging shoots, you should not forget that spring is also a great stress for all indoor plants. Sensitive to changes in conditions and universal, all indoor crops face much brighter lighting, changes in air humidity and temperature conditions.

You can easily prepare homemade Easter cake with cottage cheese and candied fruits, even without any pastry experience. You can bake Easter cake not only in a special form or in a paper mold. For your first culinary experiences (and not only) I advise you to take a small cast iron frying pan. Easter cake in a frying pan will not turn out as high as in a narrow pan, but it never burns and is always well baked inside! Cottage cheese dough made with yeast turns out airy and aromatic.

It is also interesting because its fruits (pumpkins) are used for food by young, not ripe ones (greens). This means you don’t have to wait for the harvest to ripen, and from late spring to autumn you can have it on the menu fresh vegetables. In your garden beds, it is better to grow varieties and hybrids of zucchini that are resistant to diseases and changes in weather conditions. This eliminates unwanted treatments and allows you to get a harvest in any weather. It is these varieties of zucchini that will be discussed in this article.

IN middle lane April is the time when the first flowering of plants in gardens and parks begins. The constant soloists of the spring that has come into its own are the bulbous primroses. But also among ornamental shrubs you can find those that will delight you with fragrant flowers, enlivening the still inconspicuous garden. The main riot of beautifully flowering ornamental shrubs occurs in the month of May, and most of them, as a rule, bloom in mid-May.

Unusual and mysterious flower The orchid has long become the undisputed favorite of gardeners. There are very few apartments where there would not be an orchid flower in a pot, since there is a huge variety of species of this crop on sale. And it’s very difficult to resist buying. However, you need to have a fairly serious amount of knowledge in order for the Asian beauty to successfully grow and bloom. A description of the crop will allow you to turn its cultivation at home into an exciting activity, rewarded with abundant and long-lasting flowering. Look at everything and choose those varieties that are more suitable for your interior design. Basically, decorative flower An orchid can successfully develop in any indoor conditions. But he does not tolerate drafts. Keep this in mind when placing home orchid flowers on windowsills and in rooms that are often ventilated. Look at the orchids in the photo of flowers and see that nature has created a huge variety of these epiphytic plants:

Indoor flowers of the orchid family (with photo of flower)

Indoor orchid flowers are something special. Their flowers, unique, of magnificent beauty, wrapped in a whiff of exclusivity, make these plants pretentious. At the same time, many types of orchids turn out to be quite unpretentious, and, with some experience and knowledge, you can easily keep them on the windowsill. Orchids are among the youngest and most large family plants called Orchideaceae (Orchids, or Orchidaceae), numbering about 750 genera, which include from 10,000 to 30,000 species. They come mainly from tropical permanently humid and montane forests, cool, moisture-rich foggy tropical forests, as well as from rocky coastal deserts facing the seas. There flowers of the orchid family develop for the most part like epiphytes on trees, where they obtain nutrients from rotting wood. Some species also grow in soil, and individual species even on the rocks. Orchids have two typical growth forms:

Monopodial species form one vertical main shoot growing upward. Flowers form on the sides of the main shoot.

A typical representative of monopodial orchids is Phalaenopsis ( Phaleanopsis).

Sympodial species form a horizontal axial shoot-rhizome underground, from which multiple lateral shoots extend. They grow to the sides of the axial shoot and rush upward. Flowers are formed on the tops of shoots or on the sides. Sympodial orchids have storage organs, so-called pseudobulbs.

A typical representative of sympodial orchids is Cattleya ( Cattleya).

See what an indoor orchid flower looks like in the photo, showing both monopodial and sympodial flowering forms:

What an orchid flower looks like: characteristics, size and description

It’s worth starting to describe the orchid flower with the fact that all its types amaze with an endless variety of shapes, colors, patterns, structures and smells. The size of an orchid flower depends on many factors such as species, growth habit, number of shoots, type of plant, etc. the smallest flowers are 1 cm, the largest are 25 cm in diameter. In order to imagine what an orchid flower looks like, you need to know the basic botanical characteristics. The structure of their flowers seems complex, but in fact it is surprisingly simple. is that they all consist of:

Three outer colored sepals, or sepals (sepalen), fused in some species, which alternate with three petals, two of which are called petals (petaien),
And one middle modified one is a lip (tabellum), distinguished by its unusual shape and color, which serves as a landing site for pollinating insects,
In addition, a special component of an orchid flower is the column (columna), formed by the stamens and pistil fused in the center of the flower.

Look at the variety of home orchid flowers in the photo, which shows blooming specimens of different species:

Growing orchid flowers at home: how to care for the flower

If, throughout the year, when growing orchid flowers, you care for the plants in accordance with the individual rhythm of life of each of them, then you can easily achieve flowering. Before caring for an orchid flower, you need to know that at the end of winter and spring a period of active growth begins. At this time, you need to provide enough water. In summer, the orchid develops intensively, which means it needs regular watering and feeding. To supply the plant with the nutrients it needs during the growing season, there are special fertilizers.

At the end of summer and autumn, pseudobulbs and shoots ripen and flowers are laid. At this time, it is recommended to reduce the temperature by 4-6 °, full “autumn” lighting and less intense watering.

In autumn and winter, the stage of dormancy and flowering begins. Many orchid flowers at home bloom at the beginning of the dormant period or during it. Winter care comes down to the motto: “More light, less water.”

A lover of indoor plants can also propagate orchids. If you use the vegetative propagation method, you will achieve good results. Propagation by seeds is best left to specialists, since this is a difficult and time-consuming task.

Beautiful types of orchid flowers: names and pictures

Knowing the names of orchid flowers is useful, at least so that after purchasing another plant you can organize proper care behind him. Exist different types orchid flowers and for the most part they grow wild. Look at the beautiful orchid flowers presented below and see for yourself this diversity.

Paphiopedilum – Paphiopedilum.

Orchids got their name due to the shape of the lip (Greek paphos - “island with the temple of Venus”, pedilum - “shoe”). There are about 60 species in Asia. Much larger number hybrids that plant lovers should be interested in, if only for reasons of protection original types from extinction. Hybrid forms are more hardy and perform well in heated rooms.

Slippers have a special growth program: each leaf rosette produces only one flowering shoot. Then new rosettes are formed in the leaf axils, which bloom the next year.

The flowers are white, yellow, green, brown and purple, often striped, spotted or brindle in color. Depending on the species and variety, paphiopedilum can bloom in spring, summer, autumn or winter.

The most common:

Paphiopedilum callosum ( Paphiopedilum callosum) - white and red-brown, prefers warmth and shade;

Paphiopedilum beautiful ( Paphiopedilum spiceria) - white and green with purple longitudinal stripes.

Paphiopedilum is wonderful ( Paphiopedilum insigne) - yellow-green with brown, tolerates more low temperatures compared to other species of this genus.

Family: Orchidaceae (Orchids).
Homeland: Tropical Asia.
Location: Partial shade in summer, light in winter, but not direct sun.
Temperature: They maintain room temperature all year round, and are cooler at night. Exception: in September, after growth has finished, keep it cool for 2-3 weeks at night and in the sun during the day.
Air humidity: Provide high air humidity. Spray the leaves frequently.
Substrate: Special for orchids.
Watering: It is necessary to maintain moderate and uniform humidity. Water only when the substrate is dry. In winter, water less.
Feeding: From April to September every 3 weeks in small doses.
Transfer: After flowering, but only if the substrate has become compacted or acquired a musty smell.
Reproduction: By division during transplantation.
Pests, diseases: Possible defeat spider mite and scale insects. With stagnant waterlogging - aphids and phylloxera.

Paphiopedilum does best when growing in a dense bush. It's better not to share!

Coelogina crest - Coelogine cnstata.

Tselogina ( Coelogine) - this is an epiphyte orchid, produces shiny, best impression when growing in a spacious hanging basket. Its pendulous snow-white flowers with golden combs are arranged in groups on pedicels up to 30 cm long and make it one of the most elegant orchids.

Family: Orchidaceae (Orchids).
Homeland: Himalayas, Nepal.
Location: There is a lot of light and air all year round. Avoid midday sun. Place outdoors in summer.
Temperature: Maintain a moderately warm temperature in summer, 14 °C during the day in winter, 8 °C at night.
Substrate: For orchids.
Watering: Moderate from May to September, dry from October to April.
Feeding: Once every 2 weeks, add orchid fertilizer to the water for irrigation.
Transfer: If necessary after flowering.
Reproduction: By dividing the pseudobulbs during transplantation.
Pests, diseases: Only in case gross violation rules for care.

Important! Make sure that no water gets on the young shoots!

Odontoglossum (sharp tongue) – Odontogiossum.

Orchid breeding experts recommend three “indoor” types:

Odontogiossum bictoniense from the highland forests of El Salvador

A blooming orchid rarely leaves anyone indifferent. Unusual, delicate flower sung by poets since ancient times. The mystery inherent in orchids is associated with the structural features of the flowers, as well as the endowment of the plant with “healing power.” In Asian countries, they have been used for medicinal purposes since time immemorial. Currently, the indoor orchid is often bred as the main decorative element collections of house plants, thanks to their aesthetic characteristics, fragrant aroma, excellent color and shape of flowers.

Characteristics of indoor orchids

By by and large The structure of an indoor orchid differs little from other flowers. The plant has a trunk, leaves and flowers, although specific features are present. Certain types of orchids are characterized by the presence of “false” bulbs (pseudobulbs), where nutrients accumulate. These bulbs were originally formed in a wild plant to protect it from unfavorable conditions in the growing area. In a home environment, the functional significance of pseudobulbs is reduced, although one cannot completely speak of its uselessness: the bulbs distribute useful elements for stem growth and lush flowering.

Roots are an important part of any plant. The special properties of the indoor orchid are associated with the presence of main and adventitious roots. Additional elements are formed on any parts, with the exception of the main root: on stems, shoots. This structure is associated with an “ancient” ancestor house plant, when the roots of a wild orchid had to support the growth of the flower, absorbing as much nutrition and moisture as possible from environment. Many orchids have a lush growth of adventitious roots.

Orchid leaves show how adaptable a plant can be to external conditions. When describing indoor orchids, it is worth noting the peculiarity that light-loving varieties have thick, rich leaves; species that prefer shade (such as miltonia) have soft, light-colored foliage. Usually the leaves of orchids are green, but there are also variegated varieties (ludisia, macodes).

Seeds of most orchid varieties usually do not germinate in regular soil. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, indoor orchid seeds are hardly visible to the eye due to their small size, and secondly, they do not have a supply of endosperm inside, which prevents nutrients from the soil. When preparing a substrate for seed germination, gardeners use agar-agar - a substrate in its pure form or special hydrogels based on it.

Typology of indoor plants

If we talk about what kind of indoor orchids there are, it is worth distinguishing two main types according to the type of growth: monopodial and sympodial.

The differences between them are determined visually. Monopodial varieties always grow upward, with each new leaf slightly larger than the previous one. Over time, all sheets acquire the same size. These species include phalaenopsis, agrekcum, aerangis, and vanda. Root system monopodial types form adventitious parts on the plant trunk.

The sympodial type is characterized by a horizontal arrangement of the rhizome, called a rhizome. Such types indoor orchids They are a bush plant with several shoots. These include varieties: Cattleya, Cambria, Cymbidium, Oncidium, Miltonia. The shoots at the top of the bush stretch upward and have a thickened lower part. This is the so-called “false” bulb or pseudobulb. The flower arrow in sympodial varieties appears both from the shoot and from the bulb itself.

Thanks to the incredible beauty of their flowers, orchids are very popular among professionals and simply lovers of house plants. A wide variety of colors and shapes can amaze the most demanding gardener. Particularly surprising are the varieties of indoor orchids with flowers only a few millimeters in size, while the largest specimens reach a quarter of a meter in diameter. According to the type of flowering, home orchids are divided into two types: multi-flowered and with single flowers.

The most popular type of home orchid is undoubtedly the phalaenopsis. Beautiful, delicate orchids indoor phalaenopsis With proper care they can bloom all year round. A representative of the tropical forests of southeast Asia, it became known in the 17th century. The plant got its name by accident. In 1825, Karl Blum, head botanical garden, watched beautiful white moths. He later discovered that they were orchids. And this is not surprising, because the shape of the flowers really resembles fluttering butterflies. The name "Phalaenopsis" means "moth-like".

White phalaenopsis orchids are often grown at home and in offices, used to decorate private areas around the house, and added to wedding bouquets. Typically, the white indoor orchid is divided into two types: miniature and standard. The standard one can grow up to one meter, the diameter of the flowers varies from 2 to 13 cm. Miniature species have a length of up to 30 cm. White orchids are odorless, do not react well to direct sun, diffused light is preferable for them.

Proper care of indoor orchid

Temperature, lighting, location

The level of lighting is one of the determining factors in the question of how to care for an indoor orchid, which will affect further flowering. Literate home care caring for a plant is associated with providing a minimum of 14 hours of light daily, therefore winter time You will need sources of additional artificial lighting (fluorescent lamps, phytolamps, fluorescent white light). Fresh air and sufficient light will promote good growth and development of orchids at home.

For orchids, windows located in the eastern and western parts of an apartment or house, that is, places where there is diffused light, are best suited. In the southern part of the house, flowers will most likely need additional darkening from too bright sun; northern windows are not suitable for all varieties of flowers. If there is a lack of light, growing indoor orchids may be accompanied by a lack of nutrients; if there is too much light, the flower will begin to dry out. The first signal that there is not enough light for the orchid will be the color of the leaves: they will turn dark green. A healthy leaf color is considered to be light, rich green, or reddish shades. If there is an excess of light, the leaves will turn yellow and brown, dry inclusions may appear.

The optimal room temperature for orchids in winter is 16-18 degrees, in summer period– 20-25 C.

The experience of professional flower growers notes that in order to stimulate the flowering process, it is important for an orchid to create a difference between day and night temperatures within 3-5 degrees. Also, observation of the plant in winter showed that the orchid practically does not bloom at temperatures above 24-25 degrees.

It is worth noting characteristic feature orchids, in particular phalaenopsis: good adaptability and response to the creation of favorable conditions. This suggests that caring for an indoor orchid after purchase, taking into account as many of the plant’s natural preferences as possible, provides good development and frequent flowering. High humidity is important for orchids, so spraying should be done regularly, especially in winter with room heating, which dries out the air. During flowering, spray with extreme caution, avoiding water getting on the flowers. This is fraught with the appearance of unsightly spots and a rapid loss of color.

Fertilizers, crop watering

The speed and frequency of watering will depend on the environmental conditions of plant development: temperature, light, soil composition. There is an important point that watering an indoor orchid must comply with the rule: it is better to underwater a flower in a pot a little than to overdo it. The orchid will easily tolerate a slight drought, since it is an epiphytic plant. Soft water with a minimal inclusion of salts is well suited for the flower, best option – rainwater. You can take boiled water room temperature or 2-3 degrees warmer.

Plants in pots are watered from above, flowers in blocks are lowered into water for a few minutes, and after the excess moisture has drained, they are put back in place. In summer, the frequency of watering is 2-3 times every 7 days after the top layer has dried; in winter, orchids are provided with a slightly dry period. For some varieties, a slight wrinkling of the false bulbs will serve as an indicator of the need for watering. It is important to remember that caring for an indoor orchid, in particular watering, must be adapted to specific conditions. The main feature of orchids is that they absolutely cannot tolerate stagnant water.

One of the reasons why an indoor orchid does not bloom is an excess of moisture. This is especially true during the period of formation of the buds of future flower ovaries. If the plant is watered too much, you can see the formation of dried buds and dry flower stalks that have not had time to open. Almost all varieties of orchids begin to bloom after the growing season. Until this time, the flower needs increased watering. During the flowering period, a lot of moisture is also needed. The frequency and intensity of watering should be reduced during the dormant period, namely after flowering and in winter, when there is a lack of light and lack of heat in the room.

Fertilizing the flower should be carried out during the growth period once every 15-20 days. Almost all plant species react poorly to high salt concentrations. A good supporting agent is succinic acid for indoor orchids, which strengthens and stimulates further development of the plant. After treatment with acid, flowers activate the growth of green mass, roots and shoots. For orchids, succinic acid is a means of constantly stimulating the formation of roots - one of the vulnerable parts of the plant. The acid also neutralizes harmful toxins in the soil.

The popular broad-spectrum liquid fertilizer Agricola is successfully used for orchids. The fertilizer contains important humic elements and mineral salts. Agricola is used for indoor orchids at the rate of 5 ml of substance per 1 liter of liquid. The resulting solution is used as plain water for watering the plant. It is better to apply fertilizing every two weeks. The acidity of the fertilizer solution, equal to pH = 6, will be optimal for better absorption of micro and macroelements.

Diseases and pests of orchids

The appearance of indoor orchid disease is often explained improper care: lack of lighting, direct sunlight on the leaves. However, there are diseases that can harm the plant: rot, viruses, fusarium, anthracnose, bacterial diseases. Orchids affected by the disease have pronounced spotting on the leaves and buds. This is a signal to isolate the plant from healthy flowers. Spots in the shape of lines or circles usually signal a fungal or bacterial infection.

The popular phalaenopsis variety has a tendency to suffer from bacterial infections. The leaves usually begin to yellow, then they darken and become rubbery. Next, wet formations appear on the foliage, from which liquid substrate flows. In such a situation, diseases of indoor orchids and their treatment should be accompanied by isolation of the plant. Affected leaves are cut off, and the cut sites are treated with iodine. If after two weeks the disease does not appear again, the plant can be placed next to other flowers.

Spider mites on indoor plants and orchids are detected as follows: a thin cobweb appears on the buds and flowers. You can see it during regular spraying, so do not neglect it. At a more advanced stage, orchid leaves begin to dry out and curl, showing pale yellow damage. Mites can cause the plant to die, drink all the juices, and in addition, contribute to further fungal infection of the flower. At the most early stages Mite lesions are not easy to notice; they often love soft leaves, so you should be more attentive to young home orchid plants.

Reproduction, transplantation of indoor orchids

You can safely breed orchids at home if you know some of the features. this process. Standard propagation of indoor orchids is carried out by dividing an adult plant, cuttings, side shoots, seeds, false bulbs, layering, and tips. The most used and affordable way– dividing the bush during the replanting period. The plant is separated along with the roots, and it is advisable to leave three false bulbs for each part (for sympodial varieties). An important requirement for propagation by division: the orchid must be large enough.

Knowing how to propagate an indoor orchid is not enough. Strict adherence to the basic rules is necessary. It is better to disinfect the tools used, and treat the cut areas with charcoal. The roots require careful handling as they tend to break easily. Before planting, the soil can be moistened with soft water, after which the pot with the plant should be placed in a warm but not sunny place, do not fertilize, do not water temporarily, but only spray.

Indoor orchids are propagated by cuttings when the pseudobulbs of some varieties are formed by thickening the internodes of the main stem. This type of propagation allows you to effectively use the entire supply of false bulbs and get big number plants. The separated bulbs are cut so that each fragment has a developed bud. Until the start of development, the cuttings are kept in a warm insulator (temperature not lower than 20C), with high humidity, regularly ventilate to avoid rotting.