How to care for phalaenopsis orchid

Phalaenopsis is from South Asia and belongs to the Orchid family. The flower has a striking long flowering and a variety of colors of beautiful, unusual shape of flowers, for which he deservedly gained popularity among flower growers.

Phalaenopsis orchid: features of growing plants

A favorable condition for flowers is a humid climate, since in their homeland they grew at the foot of the mountains and on flatlands. The average phalaenopsis is a small flower on a long stem, with dark green leaves and an extensive root system.

Another feature of phalaenopsis orchids is the reproduction method. They have seed capsules with pollen that is carried by the wind. Also, flowers have a pleasant aroma that attracts insects.

Optimum conditions for keeping and planting a flower

Phalaenopsis orchid is not very whimsical in care. But An important aspect is choosing the right place for the pot. You need to arrange the plant so that the leaves do not fall into the direct rays of the sun, because they can leave burns. Also, every couple of weeks you need to turn the pot so that the plant does not lean in one direction.

Humidity and temperature

Optimum humidity of air - 30-40%. Also the room should be well ventilated. With an excess of moisture, leaves can rot. No need to spray the plants, because moisture can fall into the buds and sinuses of leaves. It can also lead to decay. And with a lack of moisture, you can use a wet pebble pan, thereby adjusting the moisture level of the plant.

Phalaenopsis has a comfortable temperature of 15-25 ° C. The plant, of course, is able to withstand both higher temperatures and lower ones. But it is better not to experiment, but to take into account all the preferences of the orchid.

Orchid lighting

Very delicate leaves of a flower are extremely demanding in lighting and do not tolerate direct hits from the best sun. Phalaenopsis orchid loves soft and natural light, therefore it is best to place the pot near the eastern windows. During flowering, you can use additional light sources to form a bud without pain.

It is worth noting that the roots of phalaenopsis are involved in the process of photosynthesis, so they need natural soft light.

Requirements for soil for planting

Any newcomer knows that orchid roots need air. Therefore, the soil for phalaenopsis should be large and water-holding. Bark of trees, peat and charcoal will do for this. Before planting, the soil must be dried, so that it will not moldy from watering.

How to plant a plant

In nature, orchids belong to the group of epiphytes, that is, such plants that grow on the bark of trees. Therefore, any addition of ordinary soil can lead to the death of orchids. Before planting, you must carefully select the soil. It should be dry, bulky and allow the root system to breathe. Having decided on the substrate, you need to choose a pot. Phalaenopsis will feel very comfortable in a bamboo basket. Also suitable plastic transparent container in which you can easily make holes.

Covering the drainage with a small layer of phalaenopsis soil, it is possible to complete the roots. Be careful, because they are very brittle.

Phalaenopsis orchid: how to care at home

Caring for an orchid is the proper watering of the flower, monitoring the sufficiency of light, timely feeding and pruning of the individual. You also need to ensure that the root system of phalaenopsis was comfortable, otherwise the flower should be transplanted into a larger container.

Care for phalaenopsis during flowering also consists in following these rules.

How to water Phalaenopsis

You need to water the orchid only after the substrate has completely dried, but it should be dry for a short time.

It is recommended to use lower watering phalaenopsis, so that moisture does not fall on the leaves and does not accumulate at their base. Water for irrigation should be soft and filtered.

Phalaenopsis fertilizer

Top dressing of orchids is carried out when watering. Water can be diluted with special fertilizers, which are sold in specialized stores in a wide range. Such irrigation should be carried out twice a month. You can fertilize more often, but then the concentration of feeding in the water should be reduced. Feeding is poured only in moist soil.

And once a month, you can spray magnesium sulfate at the rate of 2 g per 1 liter of water.

Pruning orchids

Pruning phalaenopsis is done after flowering plants. If the old arrow is yellowed after some time, then it can be easily cut off.And if not, then phalaenopsis may re-bloom at home. But in any case, the arrow should be slightly shortened.

When and how to transplant phalaenopsis

It is necessary to transplant a flower every 2-3 years, because the ground is already caked, and the roots feel constrained. If the pot is small and the roots sprout through the drainage holes, then this is also the first bell for transplanting. It is possible to disturb a plant only after it has faded. Replace need to carefully, so as not to disturb the rhizomes. The substrate must be prepared in advance. The simplest version of what can be processed orchid roots during transplantation is charcoal.

How to care for phalaenopsis orchid after flowering

Owners of orchids wonder what to do with phalaenopsis after flowering. There may be three possible solutions. You can cut the spike after it dries. If the arrow has not dried up, then it can be left.

The cut peduncle can be put into the water, perhaps it will give "offspring".

How phalaenopsis is propagated

Phalaenopsis orchid cultivation is a very interesting process. After all, it is possible in several ways.

The first method is the method of rhizome division. To do this, remove the roots from the pot and carefully separate them with a sharp knife. Each cut rhizome must have at least 3 onions. Seating them in separate containers, provide standard care.

Young individuals need to start fertilizing every 2-3rd watering.

The second method is seed reproduction. But this method is possible only in laboratory conditions. Indeed, in nature, the seeds develop and feed on the root sponge, and domesticated orchids do not have this nutrient medium. Therefore, this method is very time consuming and costly. The third way is breeding shoots. After some time, processes appear in the adult individual, which also need care. If you like this method of breeding orchids, then pay more attention to these "children": fertilize more often and spray with nitrogen-containing fertilizers.

Major pests and diseases of the flower

Any orchid disease phalaenopsis is a consequence of improper plant care. Diseases can be either infectious or non-infectious. The most common phalaenopsis disease is a fungal fusarium. It originates on the rhizomes and can move to the whole plant. This infection is incurable to the plant. And this is just the result of improper watering.

There is a disease of the flowers - urticaria. It originates in low temperatures. It is possible to cure a plant, having neutralized an adverse factor.

Botrytis is a disease that adversely affects flowers. And the reason - poor ventilation and high humidity in the room. You can raise the temperature in the room, thereby slowing the course of the disease.

Also in the shops a lot of pesticides that can stop the disease.