Indoor flowers phalaenopsis care. Phalaenopsis orchid - flower butterfly needs special care

Our grandmothers, growing strawberries, or strawberries, as we used to call them, were not particularly worried about mulching. But today, this agricultural practice has become fundamental in achieving high quality berries and reducing crop losses. Someone may say that this is troublesome. But practice shows that labor costs in this case pay off handsomely. In this article we offer you to get acquainted with the nine best materials for mulching garden strawberries.

Succulents are very diverse. Despite the fact that the “kids” have always been considered more fashionable, the assortment of succulents that can be used to decorate a modern interior is worth a closer look. After all, colors, sizes, patterning, pricklyness, influence on the interior are just a few of the parameters by which you can choose them. In this article, we will talk about the five most fashionable succulents that wonderfully transform modern interiors.

The Egyptians used mint for another 1,500 years BC. It has a strong aroma due to the high content of various essential oils with high volatility. Today, mint is used in medicine, perfumery, cosmetology, winemaking, cooking, in decorative gardening, in the confectionery industry. In this article, we will consider the most interesting varieties of mint, and also talk about the features of growing this plant in open ground.

People began to grow crocuses another 500 years before the advent of our era. Although the presence of these flowers in the garden is fleeting, we are always looking forward to the return of the messengers of spring next year. Crocuses are one of the earliest primroses, whose flowering begins as soon as the snow melts. However, the timing of flowering may vary depending on the species and varieties. This article is about the earliest crocus species that bloom in late March or early April.

Cabbage soup from early young cabbage on beef broth is hearty, flavorful and easy to prepare. In this recipe, you will learn how to cook a delicious beef broth and prepare light cabbage soup on this broth. Early cabbage is cooked quickly, so it is put in a pan along with the rest of the vegetables, unlike autumn cabbage, which takes a little longer to cook. Ready-made cabbage soup can be stored in the refrigerator for several days. Real cabbage soup tastes better than just cooked.

Peering into the variety of tomato varieties, it’s hard not to get lost - the choice is very wide today. Even experienced gardeners, he sometimes confuses! However, it’s not so difficult to understand the basics of selecting varieties “for oneself”. The main thing is to delve into the features of culture and start experimenting. Varieties and hybrids with limited growth are one of the easiest to grow tomato groups. They have always been appreciated by those gardeners who do not have much energy and time to care for the beds.

Once very popular under the name of house nettle, and then forgotten by everyone, coleus today are one of the most striking garden and indoor plants. They are not in vain considered to be stars of the first magnitude for those who seek first of all non-standard colors. Easy to grow, but not so demanding as to suit everyone, coleus require constant monitoring. But if you take care of them, bushes of velvety unique leaves easily outshine any competitor.

Salmon ridge baked in Provence herbs is a “supplier” of tasty pieces of fish pulp for a light salad with fresh leaves of wild garlic. Champignons are lightly fried in olive oil, and then watered with apple cider vinegar. Such mushrooms are tastier than regular pickled ones, and they are better suited for baked fish. Wild garlic and fresh dill coexist perfectly in one salad, emphasizing the aroma of each other. Garlic spicy garlic permeates both the flesh of salmon and slices of mushrooms.

A coniferous tree or shrub on a site is always healthy, and many conifers are even better. Emerald needles of various shades adorn the garden at any time of the year, and volatile and essential oils secreted by plants not only aromatize, but also make the air cleaner. As a rule, the majority of zoned adult conifers are considered to be very unpretentious trees and shrubs. But young seedlings are much more capricious and require competent care and attention.

Sakura is most often associated with Japan and its culture. Picnics under the canopy of flowering trees have long become an integral attribute of the meeting of spring in the Land of the Rising Sun. The financial and academic year here begins on April 1, when magnificent sakura blossoms. Therefore, many significant moments in the life of the Japanese pass under the sign of their flowering. But sakura grows well in cooler regions - certain species can be successfully grown even in Siberia.

It is very interesting for me to analyze how people's tastes and addictions to certain foods have changed over the centuries. What was once considered tasty and was a commodity was losing its value over time and, conversely, new fruit crops conquered their markets. Quince has been cultivated for more than 4 thousand years! And even in the 1st century BC e. about 6 varieties of quince were known, and even then methods of its propagation and cultivation were described.

Please your household and make thematic curd cookies in the shape of Easter eggs! Your children will be happy to take part in the process - sift the flour, combine all the necessary ingredients, knead the dough and cut intricate figures. Then they will watch with admiration how the pieces of dough turn into real Easter eggs, and then with the same enthusiasm they will eat them with milk or tea. How to make such an original cookie for Easter, read our step-by-step recipe!

Among tuber crops, decorative leafy pets are not so many. And Caladium is a true star among the variegated inhabitants of the interiors. Not everyone can decide to start a caladium. This plant is demanding, and first of all - to care. But nevertheless, rumors about the extraordinary capriciousness of the Caladiums never justify. Attention and care can avoid any difficulties in the cultivation of caladiums. And a plant can almost always forgive small mistakes.

We have prepared a hearty, incredibly appetizing and simply basic dish in cooking for you today. This sauce is one hundred percent universal, as it will suit every side dish: vegetables, pasta, and anything else. Gravy with chicken and mushrooms will save you in moments when there is no time or you do not want to particularly think about what to cook. Take your favorite side dish (you can do this beforehand so that everything is hot), add gravy and lunch is ready! A real lifesaver.

Among the many different varieties of these popular vegetables, we will talk about three that are distinguished by excellent taste and relatively unpretentious growing conditions. Characteristics of eggplant varieties "Diamond", "Black Beauty" and "Valentine". All eggplants have medium density pulp. At "Diamond" it is greenish, and at other two - yellowish-white. They are united by good germination and excellent productivity, but at different times. The skin color and shape are different for everyone.

The most common orchid in indoor floriculture. It so happened that in 95% of cases the question “Tell me! They gave me an orchid, but I don’t know what it is called,” it turns out that it was the phalaenopsis that became the gift. What determines such love precisely for this orchid, and not for the dendrobium or, say, for the Ascocene?

"A matter of taste!" - someone will say, and he will be right. Another will add - "It's easy to grow!" - and also will not be mistaken. "She's beautiful!" - and it is certain. It turns out that the external attractiveness and simplicity of the content determine the popularity of the plant? Exactly!

Although with respect to phalaenopsis, this was not always the case. The fact is that until 1995, species orchids were supplied to Russia for the most part, that is, natural species taken directly from natural conditions and propagated in open ground or in greenhouses. But the conditions of the premises - apartments, offices, etc. did not fit these orchids, there they either did not reveal the potential of their decorativeness, that is, they did not bloom or bloomed weakly, or they died very quickly. But after 1995, only hybrid orchids began to go on sale. Why? Because their removal from natural habitats, often barbaric, leads to the threat of species extinction. Hybridization came to the rescue - the obtained hybrids are propagated under industrial conditions, hybrid orchids bloom no worse than natural species. Moreover, breeders took care of the duration of flowering, and that orchids could better live in unnatural conditions for themselves.

But forget that when buying a plant, you get a living organism that requires tireless care, you can never! Unfortunately, the number of questions asked on the forum site and the operators of our telephone service, the conclusion is disappointing - people either do not understand this, or rely on the eternal Russian "maybe" - maybe something will grow. This is very annoying. With this approach, a person torments a plant and suffers himself, not getting what he was counting on. What is the result? - disappointment. To reduce frustrations, let's change our attitude towards plants and feel that we are responsible for those we have tamed.

Consider the main points of caring for phalaenopsis, adhering to which, you can enjoy the lush green leaves and the stunning beauty of butterfly flowers for a long time.

Lighting, temperature, spraying

It is best to keep the orchid in the east or west window, and you can also in the depths of the room under a fluorescent lamp of white light or under a special plant lamp for plants. It is especially important to light up in the autumn-winter period, the length of daylight should be at least 14 hours.

The optimum temperature in summer is + 20-25 ° C, in winter + 16-18 ° C. To stimulate flowering, it is important that the orchid experiences a temperature difference of 3-5 degrees between day and night. In winter, at temperatures above + 25 ° C, flowering is practically not observed.

It should take into account the great adaptability of phalaenopsis to the conditions of detention. Of course, when creating conditions that are as close as possible to the natural requirements, the orchid will live longer and bloom more often.

Leaves should be sprayed with settled water at room temperature regularly, at least 3-5 times a day, especially in winter when the heating system is on, when the humidity is very low.

During the flowering period, you need to spray very carefully, trying not to get on the flowers - brown spots appear on the petals from the water, which reduces decorativeness and leads to rapid decay of the flowers.

Transfer

Orchid needs to change the substrate as the bark is destroyed and the substrate is compacted. This is usually done once every 3-4 years. Apply special substrates "For orchids." It is better to transplant in the spring, when growth processes are activated and the orchid tolerates post-transplant stress more easily. Transplant in the autumn-winter period, the plant experiences worse, is restored more slowly. Do not transplant during flowering, otherwise it will end faster.

For phalaenopsis, transparent plastic pots are more suitable capacity - the roots of this orchid photosynthesize like the leaves, that is, the roots need light. When transplanting, dry, empty, dead roots and old substrate are removed. Very carefully separate the roots that are stuck to the walls of the pot (for this, an hour before transplanting, you need to water, thoroughly moistening the substrate and roots, then they separate from the walls of the pot more easily). Pieces of bark, to which the roots are stuck, can not be removed.

After a transplant for two months, it is useful to add Zircon in the irrigation water once every 2 weeks at the rate of 2-3 drops per glass of water - this will help the orchid to take root faster. Any transplant usually delays flowering for 1.5-2 months. There are cases when the orchid blooms immediately after transplanting - the stress from damage to the roots affects plants differently.

Watering

Orchids are watered in two ways - from a watering can through the top of the pot or by immersion in a container of water.

During flowering, it is better to water from the watering can, so as not to change the location of the plant, because of which it can drop flowers. Watering must be carried out in such a way that the substrate and roots dry out once a week. If you keep the roots in a constantly wet or wet substrate, the risk of root decay is increased, and the substrate is destroyed faster.

When the phalaenopsis does not bloom, it is best to water it by immersion - the pot is immersed in a bucket of water for 1-2 minutes (until the air bubbles stop running). After such submersible watering, you need to drain excess water, and only after that return the orchid in place.

The temperature of irrigation water should be equal to the temperature of the air, and even better if the water is 3-4 degrees warmer than air. The limiting indicator of water temperature is + 28 ° C (warmer water burns, scalds the roots). Water must be surely settled for a day, soft.

If the water is still hard (it contains a lot of lime salts, as can be seen from the white stains on the leaves after spraying and a whitish-yellow coating on the surface of the substrate after watering), then the amount of lime in it must be reduced.

To do this, you can:

Boil the water for 20 minutes, and take it from a hot tap (there is less lime in it than in cold, because it has boiled at least 1 time);
To freeze in a plastic bottle, then cutting off the bottom and draining unfrozen water with salts;
Add 1 oxalic acid per 1 liter of water (at the tip of the knife). After this, the water should settle for 2-4 days, until a white precipitate of salts appears at the bottom.

Top dressing

Fertilizers use specialized, "For orchids."

Top dressing during flowering in the summer is carried out 2-3 times a month, during flowering in the fall and winter, they are fed 2-3 or 1-2 times a month, but the concentration of fertilizer is halved from that specified in the instructions.

In the absence of flowering, you can not feed or fertilize 1 time per month, not more often.

To remove excess salts, wash the soil under a stream of warm water for 15-20 minutes once a month.

Breeding

In indoor conditions, it is easiest to propagate phalaenopsis vegetatively - by side shoots-children. They can form both at the base of the leaf rosette and on the peduncle. In both cases, you need to wait for the child to form his own roots (at least one root), and only then plant them in his own pot.

Content Issues

The cause of most problems is non-compliance or violation of the conditions of detention. If you treat the plant more carefully, there will be less problems.

What usually scares the grower? If the orchid doesn’t bloom, if the leaves turn yellow or leaves change somehow, etc. I will try to answer these “ifs”:

An orchid does not bloom if it does not have enough light, if it is constantly kept at temperatures above + 25 ° C, if it undergoes a sharp change in air and soil temperature (drafts), when it is irrigated with cold water, from a lack or excess of nutrition, after a recent transplant;
The leaves turn yellow as if for a natural reason - they are aging (the lower leaves are physiologically the oldest and should die first - this is normal), and if the leaves turn yellow, the upper leaves become sluggish - it was allowed to wet or dry the substrate, a sharp hypothermia, freezing of the plant;
If at the end of flowering the peduncle immediately turns yellow, you need to wait until it dries itself and only then remove it. The formation of a new flower stalk, depending on the strength of the plant itself and the care of it, can take from six months to two years. If the flower stalk remains alive, green within 2-3 weeks after flowering, do not remove it - after 2-4 months, flowering may resume on it or a baby will form on it;
If you are infected with pests - spider mite, mealybug and others, use Agravertin, Fitoverm, Aktara, Neoron (according to the tools). Against diseases (as a rule, these are different rot), observing the rules of watering is enough, but treatment may also be required. Then use a biological preparation, for example, Fitosporin-M (in liquid form) - even if you use only it, this is enough to cure plants and for further disease prevention.

The plants in our apartments depend on us almost completely - we decide when to water, feed, transplant ... However, we should not make these decisions spontaneously, but depending on the needs of the plants in this particular growth period and in specific conditions - it’s cold in the apartment or hot, light or dark, etc. Moreover, we must evaluate these conditions not only by our criteria, but also take into account the needs of plants. Indeed, for a person, a temperature change of 1 degree is almost not noticeable, but for a plant it is very stressful.

By a common saying, a plant, like a person, gets used to everything. Let us make it so that the coexistence of plants and humans is not burdensome, but as comfortable and useful as possible.

Phalaenopsis flowers (lat. Phalaenopsis) - herbaceous plants of the tribe Vandian Orchidaceous family, native to the moist forests of Australia, Southeast Asia and the Philippines. Phalaenopsis orchids are mostly epiphytes, because they grow on trees, but sometimes they grow on stones. The first phalaenopsis in one of the Moluccas was discovered by the German naturalist Georg Rumf, but got the name from Karl Blum, director of the Leiden Botanical Garden, who, looking at an exotic orchid with binoculars, mistook it for a butterfly, and therefore called the phalaenopsis “like a moth”. And still, flower growers call these flowers "butterfly orchids."

The genus of phalaenopsis has about seventy species. The phalaenopsis flower, which is sold in flower shops, is incredibly popular not only because of its exquisite and unusual beauty, but also because the cultivation of phalaenopsis and its content does not cause concern and does not cost.

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Planting and caring for phalaenopsis (in short)

Bloom: at any time from 2 to 6 months.
Lighting: bright diffused light (windows of the western, eastern or northeastern orientation) or light partial shade.
Temperature: maximum - 42 ˚C, minimum - 12 ˚C, comfortable - within 15-25 ˚.
Watering: after complete drying of the soil.
Air humidity: 30-40% with good ventilation.
Feeding: complete mineral fertilizer solution weekly.
Rest period: not pronounced.
Transfer: as the acidification and caking of the substrate, approximately once every 2-4 years.
Reproduction: vegetatively (side shoots).
Pests: mealybugs, spider mites, thrips, scale insects, slugs.
Disease Fusarium, rust, anthracnose, spotting, black, brown, gray and root rot.

Read more about growing phalaenopsis below

Orchid Phalaenopsis - features of growing

Any plant has its own preferences, and even such a rare flower in our latitudes - even more so. The peculiarities of growing phalaenopsis are due precisely to the fact that they come from humid mountain and lowland forests, where they grow on trees, and therefore require a microclimate that must be created artificially in our homes.

Here are some of the features of phalaenopsis:

the pot and soil in which the phalaenopsis grows are required to him almost exclusively as a support;
phalaenopsis roots must be in the air and in the light;
the roots of the phalaenopsis are green, in nature they receive moisture and rainwater from the atmosphere, and nutrition comes from the bark of the trees on which the flower grows. The roots are involved in photosynthesis, so they must be in the light;
in addition to the usual roots, phalaenopsis has air roots branching in a constant search for food, so make sure that they do not climb into neighboring pots.

The succulent phalaenopsis leaves, arranged in two rows, form a basal rosette. Peduncles long, curved, butterfly flowers collected in racemose inflorescences. The variety of colors is amazing: purple, lilac, white, yellow, green and red, brown ... Often, the lip of the flower stands out against the background of the petals (plain, tiger, net or striped) with a contrasting color. Phalaenopsis, like vandas and dendrobiums, monopodial orchids, that is, not forming a bulb.

The most pleasant feature of phalaenopsis is that they do not have a pronounced dormant period: their flowers bloom twice a year - in spring and autumn, although persistent flower growers also achieve three-time flowering.

Phalaenopsis care at home

How to care for phalaenopsis

Care for phalaenopsis consists in choosing a place for a flower, in properly organized watering, top dressing, temperature conditions and in protecting against pests and diseases. It is best to place a pot with phalaenopsis on the western, eastern or northeastern windowsill.

If this is not possible, and you have to place the orchid on the south side, put it on a table near the window, behind a curtain that creates a slight shadow - direct sunlight leaves burns on the plant that look like spots on the leaves and flowers of the phalaenopsis. Every 2-3 weeks, rotate the plant 180º so that it does not lean in one direction. But during the formation of the buds, it is better not to disturb the plant.

Phalaenopsis blooms in partial shade at a temperature of 18-25 ºC, and the plant can endure for some time and a higher temperature, up to 35 and even up to 42 ºC, and lower - up to 12 ºC. But do not test the power of phalaenopsis, try to keep the temperature within 15-25 ºC.

Humidity is required 30-40 percent, while good ventilation is needed. With insufficient moisture, the leaves lose turgor, and the flowers fall. To avoid such a nuisance, place the plant on a pallet with wet pebbles. Too high humidity can cause decay of the roots of the orchid and spots on the leaves.

Spraying phalaenopsis is undesirable even in a very hot season, since water flows into the core and sinuses of the leaves, which can lead to decay of the plant. In addition, evaporating from the surface of the leaves, moisture can cause them to burn.

Feeding Phalaenopsis is carried out during irrigation by adding to the water a complete complex fertilizer Kemira-lux at the rate of 1 g per 1 liter twice a month. You can feed the orchid weekly, but then the concentration of fertilizer needs to be weakened. Top-dressing is poured only on a moist substrate.

How to water Phalaenopsis

Watering the phalaenopsis is carried out after the soil has completely dried, but it should not be dry for a long time. If you grow phalaenopsis in a transparent container, then the signal that it is time to water the orchid is the lack of moisture on the walls of the flowerpot. In addition, from a lack of moisture, the green roots of the flower become brighter. If the container is opaque, you will have to scoop up the substrate to determine how deep it has dried.

Do not water the orchid over the leaves, water the substrate or use the method of lower watering the orchid - immerse the flowerpot in a container of water to saturate the substrate with moisture through the drainage holes. Water for irrigation of phalaenopsis should be soft and clean: it is not enough to filter the water, it needs to be boiled. Or use distilled water for irrigation.

Once a month, phalaenopsis likes to take a shower or wash under the tap, after which the plant should be wiped dry. Avoid overmoistening of phalaenopsis, otherwise its leaves will become sluggish and may rot out the growth point. In the best case, the orchid will have a side shoot, in the worst - the plant will die.

How to transplant phalaenopsis

In what cases is a phalaenopsis transplant performed? When the plant is in the same pot and in the same substrate for 2-3 years. Usually, by this time, the substrate is caking, sour and becomes unusable, therefore, its replacement is required. If you pay attention to the strong branching of the roots and their germination through the drainage holes, this is also a sign that it is time to transplant the Phalaenopsis orchid. This should be done after flowering.

If your orchid is not sick of anything and planted in a substrate of a large fraction, then it can be carefully transferred to a new, large container with a drainage layer and add fresh substrate, the main component of which is the bark of small and medium fractions. In addition, sphagnum moss is included in the substrate for phalaenopsis. You can purchase a finished substrate, and you can buy components and carefully prepare the mixture for your overseas beauty: place drainage from expanded clay or pieces of foam plastic on the bottom of the pot, then medium-sized bark, then small-sized bark mixed with chopped moss. Keep in mind that dry bark quickly passes water, so before you make a substrate out of it, you need to rinse it and leave it in the water for a couple of days to swell, then rinse the bark in clean water again.

How to prune phalaenopsis

If phalaenopsis has faded, observe for some time how the old arrow behaves. If it begins to turn yellow and fade, then remove it without regret, but if it is still green and juicy, then, most likely, after a two-month rest, flower buds will appear on it again. The new arrow must still grow, and only then lay the buds and give flowers. If the old arrow is too long, shorten it by cutting 1 cm above the developed kidney.

By the way, the lower you cut the peduncle, the more flowers will be on the side arrow. In any case, pruning below the third bud is not necessary: \u200b\u200byou have to wait a long time for flowering on a shortened arrow.

Flowering phalaenopsis

Flowering orchid phalaenopsis

These plants can bloom at any time of the year, and depending on the general condition of the orchid and the conditions in which it is contained, flowering can last from two months to six months. Phalaenopsis usually blooms twice a year, but sometimes a third bloom occurs within one year. Flowers ranging in size from 2 cm to 15 cm in diameter are located on the peduncle in an amount of three to forty pieces.

How many flowers will be on the arrow depends primarily on how branched the flower stalk and how comfortable the conditions created by you are for the orchid. Some orchids have a peduncle length of up to 1 m, which hosts up to hundreds of large flowers! The delicate aroma of phalaenopsis flowers is also attractive, as well as their color variety: from plain white, yellow, purple, red to various variations of specks, spots and veins against the main background.

Why phalaenopsis does not bloom

If three months have passed since the last flowering, then it is time for the phalaenopsis to bloom again. But there are times when leaves grow, but phalaenopsis does not bloom and does not bloom. How to make phalaenopsis bloom?

First you need to find out the reasons for this behavior of orchids. And the reasons may be as follows:

insufficient lighting (eliminate the cause and wait for flowering);
the plant is overfed with nitrogen-containing fertilizers (you have to wait until the nitrogen is processed by the plant, at this time bring only phosphorus as top dressing);
the plant is simply tired, and it needs a longer period to restore strength (wait a bit, and then stimulate the flowering of the phalaenopsis).

Stimulate the flowering of phalaenopsis by insufficient watering using the drug "Ovary" or "Bud". In addition, it would be nice to lower the night temperature so that the difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures becomes at least 6-8 degrees. Such sudden changes will make the orchid blossom.

Phalaenopsis after flowering

Usually, after flowering, the faded arrow dries and is cut off. But sometimes the flower stalk continues to remain green, and here it is up to you to decide what to do right. You can:

do not touch the peduncle;
trim the peduncle to a branching height;
pruning a green peduncle in general.

If you cut a green peduncle, put it in the water, and it is likely that a baby will appear on it. If you did not cut the old arrow, then lateral branches may appear on it, on which flowers will appear over time, but the flowering will not be as plentiful as on new peduncles.

Phalaenopsis propagation

Reproduction of phalaenopsis by children

If some orchids can be propagated by dividing the rhizome, then for phalaenopsis this method is unacceptable. Under natural conditions, they propagate by seeds and new shoots. But the seed method at home is also impossible. How to propagate phalaenopsis at home?

The easiest way to propagate the phalaenopsis orchid is to carry out vegetatively, separating the lateral shoots formed on the peduncle or at the base of the leaf rosette. Do this by letting the plant rest for a month or two after flowering. The shoots are planted in which a pair of leaflets have already formed and the air roots have reached 5 cm in length. But do not let the children outgrow, as this will adversely affect the mother's outlet. The separated baby should be dried during the day, and then planted in a substrate from the bark of a small fraction, having built a greenhouse above the shoot, in which the temperature will be maintained at 22-25 ºC.

The appearance of the lateral processes in the phalaenopsis is a rare phenomenon, indicating that you somehow care for it incorrectly. Therefore, if your orchid has no children, you can artificially awaken the sleeping buds that will give the children. They do it this way: find sleeping points at the base of an old, faded flower stalk, make a shallow semicircular incision in the base of the covering scale and remove it with tweezers, and grease the kidney with a growth regulator or fresh birch sap.

After a month or two, rosettes of several leaves form at the site of the incision, and after three months the roots appear. To speed up the process, put a plastic bag on the plant - in a warmer and wetter microclimate, the children will grow faster.

You can get a baby using a cut flower stalk: immerse the flower stalk 4-7 cm in a 0.005 percent solution of complex mineral fertilizer, having previously removed the scales from the kidney in the manner described above. Make a greenhouse over the peduncle and do not forget to change the water.

Phalaenopsis diseases and their treatment

Phalaenopsis suffers from both infectious and non-infectious diseases. And in fact, and in another case, the main cause of the disease are errors in the care of the plant.

Of the fungal diseases, phalaenopsis is most often affected by fusarium, in which the roots of the plant first fall ill, and then the disease spreads to the entire orchid. The main reason for the occurrence of fusarium, as well as other rot is an excess of moisture. It is impossible to cure phalaenopsis from fusarium, so the plant is destroyed. But other rot (black, brown, root, gray, as well as diseases such as rust, anthracnose and spotting) are sometimes cured by two times a fungicide treatment (foundationazole or, for example, topsin-M) with an interval of 10 days.

Often encountered in phalaenopsis is a disease such as urticaria, which affects the leaves at an early stage with large spots of 2-3 cm in diameter. The fault is low air temperature, high humidity and poor air exchange in the room. Eliminate deficiencies in care, and everything will go smoothly.

And from a disease such as botritis, the plant suffers in conditions of high humidity and poor ventilation in the room, but it affects not the leaves, but the flowers of the phalaenopsis: first dark brown spots appear on the petals, then the petals fade. If you increase the temperature in the room, the disease will slow down. In addition, provide good ventilation of the humid air in the room and treat the plant with a bactericidal preparation.

Noncommunicable diseases are caused by the use of pesticides, excessive lighting, improper feeding, uneven watering and are expressed by drying out the ends of the leaves, necrosis of the roots, damage to other plant tissues and all kinds of spotting. Find and eliminate the cause of the disease, and, most likely, you can save your orchid, but you should know that resuscitation of phalaenopsis is a laborious and far from always successful process.

Phalaenopsis pests

In addition to diseases, phalaenopsis and pests are exhausting. For example, a small insect such as a mealybug is the cause of yellowing and falling of leaves. It is destroyed by treating the leaves and stems with an aqueous solution of laundry soap.

A spider mite that infects any plant with insufficient air humidity can also harm phalaenopsis. The tick expresses its presence with a silver web on the leaves, as if with a pricked needle. If you found a spider mite at the very beginning of the plant’s occupation, you can remove it, like aphids and mealybugs, with a soap solution, but if it goes far and the pest has settled on your orchid, you will have to use acaricidal treatment to combat it.

Almost recently, the cultivation of the Phalaenopsis orchid was the lot of only the most advanced gardeners, today it is increasingly found on the windowsills of ordinary apartments. When you decide to purchase this exotic flower, first find out all the features of caring for it.

What is Phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis is an exotic flower from the Orchidaceae family; its habitat is tropical places with a hot climate. The plant has only one single point of growth - a rosette of leaves. A medium sized orchid can be up to a meter high, the mini version grows up to a maximum of 30 cm. The color of the buds in the photo is diverse: lilac, pale pink, white or yellow. There are plants that have additional decorations on the sides of the flower: bright stripes or blotches.

Phalaenopsis - the birthplace of the plant

The world first learned about this flower thanks to Karl Blume in 1825. Looking at the jungle through binoculars, the man saw very beautiful butterflies on the branches of vines. The find so interested the researcher that he decided to come closer and was extremely surprised - these were flowers. So the name of the now popular indoor plant Phalaenopsis appeared, which means moth-like. The homeland of the Phalaenopsis orchid is northeast Australia and the Philippine Islands.

Phalaenopsis Orchid Care at Home

Lovers are afraid to buy an orchid simply because they do not know how to care for Phalaenopsis. Growing this exotic flower at home is no more difficult than planting violets. He is also unpretentious, loves warm and moderate watering, loves daylight, and in nurseries for him you can turn on artificial lighting. However, it is difficult to tolerate a change of residence, so the care of the Phalaenopsis orchid at home begins immediately after its acquisition.

Phalaenopsis - home care after the store

You looked at the window with orchids for a long time, carefully selected and examined the plant, and finally brought the beauty home. What to do after? How to care for Phalaenopsis orchid immediately after purchase? First, take a deep breath, calm the heart beating with delight and choose the right place to keep the pot with the plant.

If other flowers already live at home on the windowsill, then it is better to put the orchid separately from them. It is not necessary to water the plant immediately and especially to nourish the roots with special fertilizers for at least two weeks. In addition, the flower you just bought will not even need natural light. Remember, good care of Phalaenopsis after the store is to provide the plant with complete peace.

How to transplant Phalaenopsis orchid at home

The main question for all lovers of exotic flowers is how to transplant Phalaenopsis. Orchid is not too whimsical, so moving it to a new pot is not difficult. The main thing is to choose the right time for a transplant and know a few subtleties. In general, a Phalaenopsis orchid transplant at home should take place according to the following scheme:

Remember the pot slightly with your hands or dampen the substrate with water, and then remove the plant.
Rinse the roots in the shower, remove residual bark and earth. In order to make it easier to wash the dirt, the plant can be left in the water.
Examine the root system and cut off all the bad areas. Trim the flower stalks. In order not to damage the branch, make an incision 1 cm above the kidney. It is better to use a garden pruner or sharp scissors for this.
Leave the plant overnight so that all sections on the roots have time to tighten.
Then place the flower in a new pot, filling the voids with fresh soil.

When to transplant Phalaenopsis orchid

In order for the Phalaenopsis transplant to benefit the plant, and not vice versa, it is worth focusing on the general condition of the flower. If the leaves are soft or saggy, and the soil resembles a caked sponge, in some places even rot is visible - the plant should be transplanted right now. If, during a transplant, it turns out that the roots are in trouble, you will have to cut off even the flower arrows.

When the leaves are fresh or new ones just started to grow, the soil consists of large pieces, and the roots are alive - there is no need to relocate the orchid in a new flowerpot. In general, professionals advise replanting the Phalaenopsis orchid not particularly often and always after flowering. The most favorable time of the year is considered to be early spring: March-April, but at the time of cold weather, from October to January, you can not disturb the plant.

Soil for Phalaenopsis orchids

Selection of the correct substrate is almost the most important component for a successful transplant. These flowers categorically refuse to grow in ordinary land. Soil for Phalaenopsis orchids needs a special one: coarse-grained, made on the basis of bark, well ventilated. If it is not possible to buy the substrate in the store, you can make a mixture of the house from ordinary bark, moss and cubes of charcoal with a diameter of up to 3 cm.

Pot for Phalaenopsis

A glass container, or rather a translucent plastic pot for Felinopsis, should be slightly larger than the previous one. You can put the plant in an ordinary dark pot, but the glass will provide a constant influx of sunlight, and the roots will feel much better. When choosing a container, it is worth taking a closer look at the one that has large drainage holes - stagnation of water is extremely unacceptable.

How to water Phalaenopsis orchids at home

Before watering Phalaenopsis, you should make sure that the substrate has dried out well. Therefore, it is much more convenient when the flower grows in a transparent pot. If the orchid lives just in such a capacity, then the light roots will be a signal for irrigation, under normal humidity conditions they are light green in color. If the pot is darkened, then watering will have to be done to the touch: to scrub the topsoil and use your fingers to try the humidity.

Watering the Phalaenopsis orchid at home after a transplant is somewhat different. Water should be forgotten for 1-2 days, so that the wounds of the trimmed roots have time to heal. And in general, you will have to adapt to watering again, because the fresh substrate will dry out a little faster than the old soil. There is a single rule for all types of soil - the substrate must have time to dry before the next watering.

Propagation of Phalaenopsis orchids at home

The division of the plant is carried out vegetatively, through shoots at the base of the outlet. Those children on whom the first leaves appeared, and the aerial roots reach a length of up to 5 cm, are planted. First, they are separated, then dried and planted in a new earth mixture. Once Phalaenopsis continues to grow, a solution of fertilizers can be introduced into the soil. Propagation of Phalaenopsis orchids at home can begin several months after flowering.

Phalaenopsis orchid blooming at home

To initiate flowering, the plant must be correctly placed. In late autumn and winter, it is better to place the orchid on the south side; in the western and eastern parts of the house, the pot can be moved in the summer. An important process on your part is to reduce watering, it is better to just spray the substrate from the spray gun. Under normal conditions, the flowering of the Phalaenopsis orchid at home lasts up to six months. If you want to extend this moment, then spray the peduncle itself with warm water.

Caring for Phalaenopsis after flowering

After the buds fade, the arrow dries and is cut, but this does not always happen. If the peduncle has remained green, then care for Phalaenopsis after flowering can take place in one of three scenarios:

leave the stem as it is, over time new buds will appear on it;
trim the peduncle to the first kidney;
cut the peduncle completely, put in a vase and wait until a kidney appears.

Why Phalaenopsis does not bloom

Three months later, the plant will start new buds and bloom again. If this does not happen, then you are doing something wrong. In most cases, Phalaenopsis does not bloom for the following reasons:

The plant does not have enough sun. The pot should be in a light shade, where the temperature can fluctuate within 25 degrees, and the moisture content of air is 35-40%. Plus, the room should have good ventilation.
Too much fertilizing. It is necessary to wait until all the useful vitamins and minerals are completely absorbed by the roots.
He needs peace and moderate active growth stimulation. To put the plant in order, give it a few months of rest, and then stimulate flowering with drugs.

Diseases and pests of Phalaenopsis

The only thing that the Phalaenopsis orchid requires from its owner is home care according to all requirements. With moderate watering, observing the temperature regime, it will delight the eye with beautiful flowering constantly. If the care is wrong, the plant may die. As a rule, such infections attack a flower:

Fusariosis is a fungal disease that affects the roots of a plant. The main indicator of rotting is excess moisture. There is no way to cure this disease.
Urticaria is a viral infection that affects the leaves of a plant. The reason is that the flower stopped receiving fresh air.
Botritis - affects the buds, which eventually fade and fall. The reason is that the room is too humid.

Video: Phalaenopsis Orchid Care

Butterfly flower is loved by many gardeners. In order for the bush to please its beauty, the Phalaenopsis orchid at home requires specific care. The plant epiphyte develops in conditions that are not difficult to create. Fulfillment of all maintenance requirements will be the key to long flowering orchids.

Home Care Phalaenopsis Orchid

Important for the development of the plant is the creation of conditions for the proper development of the root system. We need transparent pots and a special substrate. There are no trifles in the contents of the orchid, only proper agricultural technology will create a picturesque indoor garden:

Location for flower pot- the shaded side of the apartment. Direct sunlight and the southern window of the orchid are not suitable. It is possible to place the plant far from the window, but with backlight. The length of the day is critical. Phalaenopsis orchid blooms only under lighting lasting at least 12 hours.

Content temperature when caring for an orchid, phalaenopsis at home depends on the time of year. In the summer, when the flower arrows strike with their beauty, the shadow should be 18-25 0 C. At a higher temperature, the flowers can quickly begin to crumble. In winter, if flowering is not expected and the plant is resting, coolness is needed, about 15 degrees.

During the rest period, when flower buds are laid, the night temperature should be 4-5 degrees lower than the daytime.

How to water orchids phalaenopsis at home? Fleshy roots nourish the plant, but with stagnant moisture, they can rot. The roots should be in an ultralight substrate and not only supply the plant with nutrients, but also produce chlorophyll under the influence of light penetrating through the transparent walls of the vessel. It is important to saturate the substrate with moisture after drying by immersion for 30 minutes. At the same time, you should not wet the leaves. It is possible to determine whether the soil in the pot has dried out by weight, by an indicator of humidity, each one finds his own way of control. With a lack of moisture, the plant will drop flowers, with excess, it will rot.

Microclimate for a flower - Butterflies are created in all available ways. Orchid does not require regular spraying, the accumulation of water in the axils of the leaves can cause rotting. Humidity of 40-45% is considered optimal for the plant.

Soil for phalaenopsis orchid selected with the expectation that the plant is an epiphyte. The substrate is prepared from a mixture of bark of coniferous trees, charcoal, sphagnum moss and shells. The bark is taken from old fallen trees, soft, after boiling. Pebbles are added to the lower part, like drainage, with the addition of bark and coal. Acidity should be 5.5-6.0. To keep the acidic medium, a little peat is added to the substrate, or it is poured with acidified lemon juice with water. But it is better to transplant in two to three years and not use acidifiers.

For prolonged flowering when caring for the Phalaenopsis orchid, you should not change the place of the pot and maintain a uniform temperature in the room. Fertilizers for orchids have a specific composition and concentration, they must be used once a month in the recommended amount. Root dressing for a healthy flower is preferred.

Leaving leaves is a must. It is necessary to wash them, then wipe so that there are no drying droplets left. If the old lower leaves began to dry out, they need to be cut. Also observe the state of aerial roots by removing damaged parts. The place of the cut must be sprinkled with charcoal or cinnamon powder.

How to transplant a Phalaenopsis orchid at home?

The roots of the orchid are not long, not branched, it is important that there are a lot of them, and they held the plant firmly in the soil. The bush should not swing. In order for the root system to be healthy, the orchid needs to be transplanted correctly after it fades.

Transplant stages include obligatory operations:

remove the plant from the container with minimal damage;
soak a lump of earth and wash it off with a stream of water;
remove damaged roots, sprinkle cut points with charcoal dust or cinnamon powder;
cutting dry leaves and arrows you need to leave hemp;
dry the flower 3 hours before planting.

Boil the composition of the soil and leave it in water until it cools. Filter the solid part, rinse on a sieve with hot water and put it to dry until it is loose. Treat the drainage composition in the same way. In the center, place the prepared dried plant and sprinkle the roots with a substrate, without deepening the outlet along the neck. Pour with warm water and drain the filtrate. Condensed and settled soil bring to a normal level of backfill. No moisture should remain on the leaves and sinuses after transplantation.

The transplant operation is necessary in order not to deplete the mineral supply of food, not to increase acidity and not to use peat and acidified water, which will poison the plant. You can see the Phalaenopsis orchid transplant at home in the video, which will help you not to make mistakes.

Methods of propagation of orchids at home

The seeds of the phalaenopsis orchid are propagated under special conditions. At home, you can get a new copy of the embryo with aerial roots formed on the faded arrow. This is the easiest way to get a new plant.

There is another, more time-consuming method - the cuttings of faded arrows. Cut arrows are cut into fragments, each of which contains a sleeping kidney. Sprouting cuttings in a substrate in a humid environment, not every cuttings will give a new baby.

The method of block culture - the reproduction of the Phalaenopsis orchid at home, as an epiphyte, on a wooden base is applicable if a moist air environment can be created. On a piece of vine, a tree branch attaches moss or a similar material that retains moisture. Phalaenopsis orchid is attached to this surface. So that the roots located in the upper layer do not dry out, the environment must be moist.

Orchid Diseases and Pests

If the orchid is not properly looked after, then pest colonization and plant diseases are inevitable. Non-infectious arise from improper care, then the weakened plant is affected by insects and fungal and bacterial ailments. With phalaenopsis at home, yellowing leaves may become the first signal of trouble.

Yellowness indicates an improper temperature, lack of light or moisture. But the worst thing will be steaming or prolonged hypothermia of the plant. Vegetative buds perish and the plant perishes. Elongated leaves signal a lack of light and become vulnerable.

Viral diseases include all kinds of small spotting and mosaic. They are incurable. Therefore, if a specialist has diagnosed a viral disease, the plant must be destroyed by burning. Viruses spread insects, and inevitably the disease will switch to other flowers.

Bacterial spotting manifests itself as dark spots, softened leaves and roots. Sore spots are cut to a healthy tissue, cauterized with iodine, sprinkled with coal dust. In advanced cases, the leaves and roots are treated with fungicides.

Anthracosis, powdery mildew, rust are fungal diseases transmitted by spores or soil. Preventing these diseases is easier than curing. To do this, ventilate the room, avoid excessive moisture, do not leave water droplets on the leaves. Various rot appear when there is a violation of the temperature regime, especially with the greenhouse effect. Sooty fungus develops on the sweet secretions of insect pests.

A weakened plant can inhabit aphids, mealybugs. With proper care, the mealybug will not start. Aphids need to be washed off with soapy water. After processing, wash the leaves with soft water and drain. To kill insects, use only preparations recommended for orchids.