Flowers and plants. Beautiful orchids: can you keep them in the bedroom

The most popular and widespread exotic plant today is orchid Phalaenopsis. We choose it for its elegant appearance; who doesn’t want to have beautiful, sophisticated flowers on the windowsill.

Phalaenopsis got its name for its resemblance to a butterfly, translated from Greek language it means "Like a butterfly."

If you dream of an elegant plant with big flowers on a strong stem up to 90 cm in length, then stop your search at Phalaenopsis. There are many hybrids in different shades, including pink, white, red, purple, blue and yellow, with a variety of flower markings.

But few people think about the specifics of caring for it. Many were already burned in the first stages of cultivation, and the orchid died.

Let's look in detail at how to properly grow an orchid at home. So that she pleases her every day lush flowering. When choosing Phalaenopsis in a flower shop, pay attention to the color of the root system; if it is green, without dry or rotten roots, then do not hesitate to take this specimen.

For flawless development at home, lighting is necessary, temperature regime, watering, fertilizing and replanting.

Orchid care - lighting

Orchid tropical plant so she needs bright, but not straight sunlight. If you leave plants in the sun for a long time, they can get burned.

The preferred place for it would be a window with some shade. It must be taken into account that the plant reaches for the light, and therefore it must be regularly rotated 180 degrees.

Temperature

The ideal temperature in summer will be about +20-25 degrees. The permissible temperature drop is up to +4 – 5 degrees. If you want flowering to occur faster, lower the temperature by 5 degrees at night. Or slightly reduce watering in July and June.

Watering

The orchid loves a humid environment, it should be at least 30%. During the growing season, water abundantly, also spray once a day with warm, settled water, and ideally distilled.

To provide sufficient moisture to the plant, use two pots, the first transparent in which the flower was sold, the second special with a recess for drainage, it is better to take expanded clay or small pebbles. Just pour drainage into the bottom, place a flower in it in a transparent pot, and water it generously.

So root system will not rot, and excess moisture will drain into a tray with expanded clay.

Also transparent pot will provide control over the root system. IN winter time it is necessary to reduce watering. And when spraying, avoid getting water on flowers and leaves - this can lead to their rotting.

Conditions of care

The orchid flower is not whimsical and gets along well indoors, but still for better growth and abundant flowering she needs feeding. In stores, buy liquid fertilizer that dissolves in water, and dilute it as written in the instructions.

It is important to know that you cannot feed the plant if the soil is dry. Water first and only then fertilize. After flowering, cut the stem to the second lower bud, and treat the cut area with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. You can also remove the old shoot completely.

Transfer

When the bush is deformed or you see dried and rotten roots, you need to do a mandatory replanting. To do this you will need a new substrate, a new pot and sharp scissors.

Remove the bush from the old pot, clean the root system of excess soil and dried roots, rinse in warm water and place until completely dry soft cloth. Then take a pot, place the plant in it and fill it with soil, carefully aerial roots you can't fall asleep.

To ensure proper care, take care of the correct high-quality soil for orchids; it should consist of pine bark, coal and moss.

In the photo below, see the transplantation of a young Phalaenopsis orchid into a larger pot. I won’t describe it too much, and everything can be seen in the photographs.

	Orchid seedlings that need to be transplanted into a larger container.
	This plant is 6 months old, which already requires replanting. Through drainage holes The photo shows how the roots of the plant are intertwined.
	Tools and everything necessary for transplantation.
	Carefully pull the orchid out of the pot. For your attention are the white, healthy roots of the plant with green tips. Upper leaves orchid seedlings are much larger than the lower ones, which confirms proper care throughout the growing season.
	You cannot use the “old” substrate, the earthen mixture, even if it seems to you that it is still very good. Gently clear away any old moss from the roots. This is an excellent chance to thoroughly examine the entire root system. Special attention give to the roots located in the center of the pot. Brown and soft roots needs to be deleted! I hope you won’t find them, and if you do, it will be in small quantities.
	In our case, pieces of lightweight polystyrene foam that was neutral to the roots of the plant were used as drainage. Expanded clay is often used as drainage - the entire plant and the root system in particular suffer from the harmful chemicals contained in these pebbles of artificial origin. The photo shows how the roots have grown through the foam. It's okay, just be careful. Break it open and free the roots.
	We remove all diseased and broken roots just above the rot and damage.
	A pot in which an orchid grew.
	A new pot, one size larger, which is ideal for young seedlings.
	This is what it should look like.
	We pack the roots into the substrate. Given that loving care According to Phalaenopsis, the orchid adapts to any density, but the denser the roots are, the longer the moisture will be retained, which means the less watering the plant will require.
	And now the same thing, only in finished form.
	Especially for scrupulous flower growers or lucky owners large quantity different types of orchids, it is recommended to leave a tag in the pot. On it you can indicate the name, date of transplantation, whether the flower bloomed or not, and any other information needed in the future. Place the transplanted Phalaenopsis orchid in a more shaded area for a few days, and then return it to normal germination conditions.

These are basically all the basic requirements for the best growth and development of your exotic green friend.

Orchid is one of the most wonderful flowers in the world. There are eight hundred genera and about fifty thousand species of these plants. The most famous of them: Phalaenopsis, Vanda, Oncidium, Maxillaria, Phragmipedium, Dendrobium, Cattleya. Such diversity will not leave anyone indifferent: bright colors with different shades, pleasant smell and, of course, the very shape of the inflorescence.

Orchids: care at home

Since these flowers can grow not only in pots, but also climb trees, they can be demanding in their own way regarding the conditions of “sharing” with you. Let's tell you a little more about the methods of growing and what kind of care for indoor orchids should be carried out in this or that case.

First option: growing plants in pots

The container for orchids should be spacious, made of plastic or wood. Bottom: it is better if it has holes. You can make them yourself. Although these flowers are moisture-loving, excess water can cause the plants to die. Also, holes in the bottom of the pot will allow air to better penetrate the substrate, and this is very important. Earth mixtures for indoor plants not suitable for orchids. Care at home should begin with finding a dead pine tree in the forest (park) and collecting large pieces of bark or purchasing ready-made ones in the store. You will also need polystyrene foam. The substrate is prepared from these ingredients. The bark is needed for the nutrition and growth of orchids, and the foam is needed to prevent water from stagnating.

Second option: growing plants on a tree

This method is quite simple, you just need to prepare or purchase several pieces of wood in advance. Rocks that are not resinous should be chosen for these purposes. The timber must be thoroughly moistened, then carefully tie the plant to it. If you first attach a hook (another device) to the workpiece, you can hang it like an orchid pot. Home care will be as follows:

Daily inspection of the plant;

Spray with a spray bottle at least once a day, preferably two or three times (depending on how much time the timber has dried).

Quarantine

The Vanda orchid also accepts such methods of maintenance. Care at home after purchase, first of all, begins with the plant being quarantined. What does it mean? The flower in the store was carefully watered and fed, so it was “tired” of excessive attention to itself. After you bring the plant home, it should be placed on a separate window, or better yet, a table or cabinet in the dark for a couple of weeks, without feeding or watering. Let the flower adapt to the new living conditions.

Replanting a plant

The process begins with preparing everything necessary materials, and only then the flower is removed from the pot. The old substrate is shaken off. To prevent pests from transferring to a new container, place the orchid in a vase with water ( room temperature) for a while (maybe an hour or more). Then you need to prepare a pot (it should be larger than the previous one) and place the substrate in it (foam and bark 1:2). Don't forget about drainage. After this, the root system of the flower is examined. Rotten and dried roots are removed with tools (knife or pruning shears) pre-treated with alcohol. Now the plant is planted in a new pot. The first time after transplantation, do not water the orchids and leave them alone. Home care begins after five days. Then the flower can be watered and placed on the window where you plan to grow it.

Beginning orchid lovers often do not know what to do with an orchid after purchasing it. How to care for an orchid at home. Attempts to use intuition and experience in caring for ordinary house plants most often end sadly. Luckily, your curiosity has led you to this article, in which we will tell you everything a person needs to know when buying their first orchid!

Caring for an orchid at home comes down to creating a favorable habitat that is close to natural. Almost all orchids (including Phalaenopsis) in wildlife grow in the subequatorial tropics, which are characterized by long daylight hours (about 12 hours), a hot and humid climate. Temperature fluctuations in such tropics throughout the year are minimal, and the seasons have different humidity levels. It should also be taken into account that almost all orchids are epiphytes, that is, they grow on other plants (mainly trees), attaching themselves to them with their roots.


The tropical lifestyle has accustomed orchids to regular and good lighting, but not too bright. Tree foliage protects orchids growing in the wild from direct sunlight. A similar situation with water - orchids are accustomed to high humidity, but at the same time they have almost no contact with liquid water. Even during the rainy season, water from plants evaporates very quickly, and the orchid does not come into contact with wet soil. The orchid mainly takes the moisture necessary for development from humid air.
How to create tropical conditions in an ordinary city apartment? Easier than it seems!

Where to put the orchid

At first, you should not place the orchid together with other flowers, if you have them. Arrange a short quarantine - up to two weeks. Even if you have carefully examined the orchid and found no pests, it is better to be safe. Moreover, while the orchid is blooming, optimal place- this is the most prominent place. Place it and enjoy!

Choosing permanent place for orchids, remember their love of light. It is better to place plants on window sills and balconies or near windows. If possible, place orchids near windows facing east or west. There the amount of direct sunlight will be minimal.
If this is not possible, make sure that summer period the light was diffuse. The simplest way do this - hang tulle or horizontal blinds, stick a matte film on the glass.


With the onset of autumn, the light becomes less, the rays of the sun are no longer so scorching, and shading can be removed until spring.

We should not forget about such a factor as daylight hours. Orchids all year round You need at least 12 hours of light per day. In our country, in the autumn-winter period, the length of daylight hours decreases. In order to provide the orchid with conditions close to tropical ones at home, you need to use artificial lighting - fluorescent lamps.

Symptoms of lack of light are elongated and pale leaves.

Comfortable temperature for orchids

The temperature of our apartments is quite suitable for creating comfortable conditions for orchids. For tropical species (which, let me remind you, includes Phalaenopsis), in summer the optimal daytime temperature is 25–30 degrees, and in autumn-winter 20–25 degrees. Plants from temperate latitudes are accustomed to harsher conditions, but still the temperature should not fall below 15 degrees. Don’t forget about such a seemingly trifle as the difference between day and night temperatures. It should be about 5 degrees.
Orchids will have a hard time withstanding both unusually high and too low temperatures.

Comfortable humidity for orchids

The air humidity in the room should be 60-90%. Use a humidifier if the humidity in your apartment is lower. More cheap way solve the problem of lack of moisture - tray and expanded clay. Place expanded clay on the bottom of the tray, fill the tray with water, and place a pot with an orchid on top. By evaporating, the water increases the humidity of the air, and the roots will not be constantly in the water. You can also use special orchid pots with a stand inside. The ledge inside raises the orchid pot above the water at the bottom of the planter.

How to water an orchid correctly

The rules for watering at home are closely related to the characteristics of life “in the wild.” Watering orchids at home is easiest done in one of two ways:

It is better to water orchids in the morning, so that during the day the excess moisture evaporates and the substrate dries out faster. Remember that orchids love moisture, but do not like swamps!

Approximate watering regime: in summer 2 - 3 times a week, in winter 1 time a week, or even once every 10-14 days. It all depends on the speed of drying of the roots and the substrate in which the orchid grows. When it's hot, the bark dries out quickly. In the fall, when the heating has not yet been turned on, and the room is already cold, the orchid roots and bark dry out very slowly.
A Phalaenopsis orchid that has not dried out can be identified by the appearance of its roots. They will be bright green, the soil will be dark and the weight of the pot will be heavier than with a dried plant. If the soil and roots do not dry out for a long time, make holes in the walls of the pot to aerate the roots.

Water for irrigation should be “soft”, that is, not contain alkaline elements. Orchids are plants that cannot tolerate mineral salts in the soil. If you use tap water, you need to boil it or let it sit for a couple of days. It’s even better to use settled rainwater– this is the most “eco-friendly” option if you live outside the city.
The water temperature should be slightly warmer than room temperature. Do not water the orchid with cold or hot water, this can cause disease in the plant and its death.

In addition to watering and humidifying the air, orchids can be sprayed with water from a spray bottle, simulating a natural phenomenon- dew. It is also better to choose morning hours for spraying, for the same reason as for watering.

How and with what to fertilize and feed an orchid

You can think about how and what to fertilize an orchid after the plant has flowered. During flowering, fertilizer can cause flowers to drop. You can fertilize an orchid by leaf and by watering. When watering with fertilizers, you must first moisten the orchid roots. Do not pour fertilizer on dry roots as this will burn them.
Today there are many different fertilizers for orchids in stores. They come in both a general range of effects and specialized ones: for flowering, rooting, etc. You can choose them yourself, guided by the annotations on the packaging. Don't forget to check the expiration date of your fertilizers. Follow storage requirements. When using fertilizers, do not exceed the dosage.

Orchid transplantation

The process is painful. The plant should be replanted only in case of urgent need. For example, the soil of a purchased plant is of low quality and the orchid roots do not dry out in it; the roots look rotten (in a healthy state they have a green or grayish color). You need to be very careful when replanting an orchid, because the orchid has fragile roots that are easily damaged. Do not disturb an orchid with healthy-looking roots and good substrate, this can only harm the plant. An orchid can grow in its native substrate for 2-3 years, or even more.

Try to provide comfortable conditions for your beautiful orchid, and she will thank you with bright and abundant blooms!

Compatibility of indoor plants.

As for the compatibility of different types of indoor plants, there are no standard rules - it is advisable just not to place them next to each other different types flowerpots, because they can become dusty, which will lead to the appearance of fanciful flowers. Although, perhaps, someone might even like it.

Although there are several known cases of the influence of one plant on another.

For example, not all plants tolerate geranium. You can place plants nearby that are similar in care and require the same humidity and lighting.

The violets are dyingIf you find yourself in the same room with lilies of the valley, you should remember this.

Hibiscushas a life-giving effect on weak plants.

Indoor roseCompatible with almost all other indoor and freshly cut plants. The main condition is that it is not shaded and that it itself does not interfere with the access of light to other plants.

It’s also worth considering that some plants are adversely affected by fruits ,which are in close proximity.

Also affects all plants negatively tobacco smoke . Remember this .

Plant energy

Plants with the strongest energy- common bamboo, chlorophytum crested, ivy, butterfly orchid, lemon (orange), dracaena, nephrolepis, potted rose.

Plants with heavy energy- echmea, cacti, poinsettia, neoregelia, three-striped sansevieria, yucca.

Plants with soft, timid energy— Usambara violet, minicyclamen, adiantum, camellia, Wood's ceropegia, jasminoid gardenia, common myrtle.

Flowers can also be used to increase humidity.air. Flowers that need a lot of moisture usually return it through their leaves. These are violets, cyclamens, ferns.

Classification of indoor plants

First of all, in order for indoor plants to grow well, three main growth conditions must be observed - light, watering and fertilizing. It is necessary to consider what kind of light the windows provide and select plants accordingly.

Indoor plants can be divided into three groups: light-loving, shade-tolerant and plants with moderate lighting.

To the first group(light-loving) include cacti, eucalyptus, coleus.

To the second group(shade-tolerant) - ferns, coniferous aspidistras, boxwood, ivy, indoor grapes(cissus).

To the third group(moderate light plants) can be classified as most indoor plants. For example, citrus fruits, begonias, hydrangeas, primroses, tradescantia and others.

Each plant is predisposed to certain conditions. For example, some indoor plants prefer to be constantly in the sun, while others prefer shade. Good growth and development of the plant, and preservation in it medicinal properties depend, first of all, on painstaking regular care. An amateur florist must take care of his plants in order to later benefit from them not only aesthetically, but also practically - in order to medicinal plants kept their healing properties, and from them it was possible to prepare medicines for many diseases.

Eg, pelargonium- a light-loving crop and therefore requires a sunny location. The pot with the plant should be placed on the windows facing sunny side. In winter, it is better to keep the plant on cold, bright windows at an air temperature of plus 3-10 degrees. For the same reason, the plant must be isolated from exposure to hot air from radiators. central heating.

Phalaenopsis is called a “beginner’s” orchid. Compared to the rest of its relatives, this is quite unpretentious plants, but still there will be more hassle with them than with a cactus. Therefore, when inviting a moth into your house (that’s how phalania is translated from Greek), make sure that the flower is comfortable. What kills and doesn't make you stronger?

When wondering how to care for Phalenoposis orchids, many forget about the most important thing - transportation. In winter, bringing a plant home from the store is not an easy task. The orchid is not able to withstand sub-zero temperature even half an hour. Hypothermia cannot be treated.

Everyone has heard that the orchid does not like being next to other plants. But here's what capricious flower Not many people know that she cannot stand the smells of certain types of vegetables and fruits. Gases emitted by tomatoes and nuts contribute to the aging of the flower and can lead to its death.
Lethal to beautiful flower also mechanical damage and sunburn.

Light and water - a trap for moths
Butterfly-like orchids love light, but are straight Sun rays they get tired. Therefore, the window sill is not the best the best place. And proximity to central heating radiators is unlikely to benefit the orchid. It is advisable to find a well-lit place, perhaps even in the back of the room, but near a fluorescent lamp. In summer, it is allowed to register the plant on a western or eastern window. But in winter, the orchid needs to be removed away from drafts.

How to care for Phalaenopsis orchids at home so that they feel like they are in their native Indonesia? Give them enough water, many people think. But the trick is that the orchid loves humidity not so much water. Phalaenopsis likes a light shower from a spray bottle, but you shouldn’t fill the pot with water. In winter, the plant goes into hibernation and drinks very little, and with the arrival of warmth, moisture consumption increases, and the orchid needs to be watered more often. Water for irrigation must be filtered.

To breed wild orchids, it is necessary to create a humid microclimate, but only true Michurinites can do this. Therefore, breeders tried to make phalaenopsis comfortable in apartments. The ideal solution The problem is considered to be the humidifier. Some people place the orchid near the aquarium.

But there is another option - a pallet with wet expanded clay, when it dries wet air will rise towards the plant.

Small pleasures
Phalaenopsis needs to be replanted every two to three years. This process is labor-intensive and requires great care. Professionals recommend mixing the substrate for this family of orchids in the following proportions: 60% bark coniferous trees; 15% foam; 5 % charcoal; 20% sphagnum moss or peat. Regarding feeding: during the growth of new leaves, it is better to use fertilizers with a high nitrogen content, and for the development of flower stalks, more phosphorus is required.

Video about orchids: purchase, care, replanting.