A beautiful orchid cannot leave anyone indifferent. But growing this flower is possible at home. Of course, capricious tropical beauties require careful care. Be patient, and the orchid will very soon delight you with its fantastic flowers.
Choosing the type of orchid to plant
In nature, there are more than 25,000 species of these plants, and 90,000 hybrids. Among this variety of species, not all can grow indoors.
When choosing a type of orchid, you should take into account the temperature of the room in which the flowers will be grown. Vandas, phalaenopsis, catleya, dendrobiums are suitable for warm rooms, and laelias are suitable for rooms with moderate temperatures. And for cool rooms, celoginiums, paphiopedilums and dendrobiums are ideal.
The most suitable type of orchid for our conditions is phalaenopsis. It is also called the butterfly orchid. If you follow all care recommendations, you can admire the flowers for almost six months a year. And it is this species that is advised to choose as the first orchid that you will grow at home.
Planting orchids
Orchid is an epiphyte plant. This means that under natural conditions it grows not on soil, but on other plants, usually trees. Therefore, even indoors, an orchid can be planted on a block or in a special substrate. But the choice of planting method depends on the recommendations for growing orchids. They are different for different plant species.
Planting an orchid on a block
As a block, you can use a piece of pine bark, cork oak or Amur velvet; tree fern is also suitable. Snags are also good, especially those left over after sorting the peat. The size of the block is selected taking into account the size of the plant itself and its characteristics.
Planting an orchid on a block is not that difficult. It is necessary to place a small amount of sphagnum moss under the plant and tie the plant to the block using soft wire or synthetic thread.
The peculiarity of growing orchids on a block is the rapid drying of the roots. Therefore, if you plant a plant on a block, you should take care of higher air humidity. It would be ideal to place such an orchid in a small greenhouse.
Planting an orchid in a substrate
Preparing the substrate for planting
To grow orchids at home, it is best to buy a special substrate. But you can cook it yourself.
1st view:
To prepare the substrate you will need dry pine bark and dried sphagnum moss. The bark must be boiled for 10 minutes. Dry. After 2-3 days, repeat the procedure. Boiling destroys harmful insects. The prepared bark must be cut into pieces of 1.5-2 cm. The moss must be crushed and mixed with pieces of bark. Now the substrate is ready.
2nd view:
We take 1 part of crushed fern roots, 1 part of crushed moss, 1 part of turf soil, light and very loose, 1 part of leaf soil. To improve the structure of the substrate, add some fallen oak leaves.
3rd view:
A mixture of pine bark and peat is taken in different ratios depending on the required moisture capacity. For example: a ratio of 7:1 is a substrate with average moisture capacity, 1:1 is a substrate with very high moisture capacity.
Preparing a container for planting an orchid
Plastic or ceramic pots and various baskets are used as containers for planting orchids.
It is preferable to plant plants in white or transparent containers with a smooth surface. If you plant an orchid in a rough clay pot, then subsequent replanting of the plant will be very traumatic for the roots. It is recommended to make additional holes in the pot to provide additional air flow to the root system. Additional holes will not allow excess moisture to stagnate. A rigid wire is attached to the holes, which will serve as a support for the plant.
Planting an orchid in a pot
1/3 of the pot's volume is filled with drainage. It can be expanded clay, polystyrene foam, gravel, shards, broken brick. After this, we place the orchid in the pot. We attach the roots to the wire base using soft wire or nylon thread. Fill with prepared substrate. In this case, the horizontal part of the stem should remain on the surface.
Planting an orchid in a basket
A basket is the best container for growing orchids. Thanks to good air access and moderate humidity, plants form an excellent root system. No drainage is required for planting in a basket. A wire mesh is attached to the bottom of the container. It can be replaced with pieces of bark or moss. The orchid roots are attached to this mesh. A substrate is placed on top, which should be more moisture-intensive. To do this, moss or peat is added to it. The side slots of the basket are covered with moss. This will increase the moisture capacity of the substrate.
Optimal conditions for growing orchids
Orchid is a light-loving plant, but does not tolerate direct sunlight. The ideal location would be a western or eastern window. In winter, additional lighting will be required. The length of daylight required for the proper development of the plant is 12-15 hours. The main signs of a lack of light are dark, soft leaves, excessive elongation of leaves and bulbs.
To grow orchids, it is necessary to maintain the temperature within +20...+25°C. The minimum temperature that orchids can withstand is +12°C.
Orchids do well at a relative air humidity of 50-60%. But the optimal humidity is 70-80%. Such humidity can only be achieved in a greenhouse that must be ventilated. The room in which the orchid grows requires ventilation, but the plants are afraid of drafts. Moist, stagnant air can cause fungal and bacterial infections.
If there is insufficient air humidity, it is recommended to spray orchids up to 3 times a day. During flowering, when spraying, avoid getting water on the flowers. Spraying is carried out in the morning, afternoon and at night, but so that by night the leaves are completely dry. If the plants are located outdoors (on the balcony, veranda), then it is better to refrain from evening spraying. If the air temperature is low in winter, then there is no need to spray orchids.
The orchid pot can be placed on a tray with water and pebbles. Water, evaporating, will moisten the plants. Orchids are often displayed next to the aquarium.
Watering orchids
Only soft water (from 2 to 7 dH), without chemical impurities, is suitable for irrigation. For irrigation, use settled, boiled or filtered water with a household filter. Rainwater is ideal for watering orchids.
To reduce the hardness of the water, pieces of peat are added to it. The peat is wrapped in a cloth bag and placed in water for a day. For 10 liters of water, take 10 g of peat.
The watering mode is selected for each plant individually. It is necessary to water the orchid only when the substrate is completely dry. All excess water should flow out of the pot without lingering. Water temperature for irrigation +30-40°C. Plants should be watered in the morning. In summer, orchids should be watered every 2-3 days, in winter - 1-2 times a week. A hot shower for a few minutes is very beneficial for orchids.
Orchids are very demanding, capricious flowers. But how good they are!
Read how to properly grow an orchid at home. The article describes several methods of planting a flower, as well as growing conditions, care and watering of the orchid.
The orchid is probably the only flower that absolutely everyone likes. Walking through the shop windows where pots with these wonderful flowers are located, everyone begins to be touched and receive incredible pleasure. In fact, you can grow orchids yourself at home, although you will need to put in the maximum amount of effort, but the result will definitely please you.
Choosing flowers
There are about 25,000 species of orchids on the planet, and about 90,000 various hybrids. However, you need to know that not all flowers are suitable for home breeding.
Much depends on the room temperature. Varieties such as cutleys, dendrobiums and phalaenopsis bloom beautifully in warm rooms, but paphiopedilums and coelognias, on the contrary, prefer cold.
If this is your first time deciding to grow an orchid at home, then it is best to give preference to phalaenopsis. This flower is less picky than its other relatives and is ideal for the climate of our country.
In the natural environment, the orchid grows on other plants, which means that at home it also needs to be planted in a special substrate. But at the same time, it is always worth considering recommendations for choosing soil depending on the selected subspecies of plant.
1. Plant an orchid on a block
What to choose for the block? A wide variety of options are suitable. This can be tree bark, ferns, and even various driftwood. The choice must be made based on the size of the flower, as well as depending on the recommendations put forward for its subspecies.
The landing itself is not that difficult. First you need to take a suitable flowerpot and cover its bottom with high-quality moss. Then place the selected block in it and, using a special thread, tie the root of the plant to a snag or bark.
2. Plant the orchid in the substrate
It is best to purchase a substrate for orchids ready-made, but if this is not possible, you can prepare the soil at home.
Option #1
All you need is to take pine bark and moss. First you need to pre-treat the pine in order to destroy all insects. To do this, the bark needs to be boiled for 10 minutes, then dried well and repeated the procedure several more times. As soon as the bark is ready, it needs to be crushed, mixed with moss and then flowers can be planted.
Option No. 2
We take equal parts of fern, moss and earth. Mix well and, if possible, add oak leaves that have already fallen.
Option No. 3
You need to take pine bark and peat, depending on the ratios in which they are suitable for the selected type of orchid. Mix well and the substrate is ready.
You can use a wide variety of containers for flowers, but now the store has a large selection of flowerpots designed specifically for orchids. Also, flowerpots must have drainage holes so that excess moisture does not accumulate and the soil does not begin to bloom. You also need to take care of a perch in advance that can support the flowers.
3. Plant flowers in a pot
We put drainage at the bottom of the peas, it can be either special or the most ordinary broken shards, tiles, etc. We plant the flower itself in the pot and cover everything with substrate, but so that part of the stem is not sprinkled.
4. Plant flowers in a basket
Orchids can be planted in a basket; such a container is considered ideal for a flower. Naturally, drainage is not needed for such an area, since natural ventilation occurs. It is important to prepare a good block and attach it well to the bottom of the basket. It is also worth choosing a more humid substrate due to increased ventilation. Peat is placed on the sides of the basket.
Conditions for growing orchids
Orchids love light, but only if the sun's rays are not direct, but diffuse. If the windows are located on different sides of the world, it is best to give preference to the eastern side. But in winter, it is imperative to create artificial lighting, since the orchid’s daylight hours must be at least 12 hours. Otherwise, the leaves of the flower will simply begin to wither and fall off.
Now about the air temperature that is suitable for plants. The minimum possible temperature can be 12 degrees, but it is better not to let it get to that point. The most optimal temperature should fluctuate around +20 - +25 degrees.
Air humidity should be optimal, approximately 50%. In general, the ideal state is when the air humidity is 70%, but such numbers are only possible in a greenhouse. Therefore, it is still advisable to artificially humidify the air, at least periodically. In addition, it is imperative to ventilate the room so that the air does not become stagnant, otherwise the plant may become ill with a variety of infectious diseases. In addition, under no circumstances should drafts be allowed to appear, otherwise the plant will die immediately.
It is worth humidifying the air by spraying so that the water does not fall on the flower of the plant. It is worth carrying out the procedure at least 3 times a day, especially in the summer. You should not spray orchids at night if they are in a well-ventilated area so that they do not freeze from temperature changes. In winter, even when the air is humidified, spraying the plant itself is not recommended.
It is necessary to water the orchid only with special soft water. It should not contain chlorine or any other chemical compounds. That is why water for irrigation is settled or boiled. But it is best to collect rainwater if possible or defrost snow. By the way, defrosted water can be prepared artificially. To do this, you need to freeze regular tap water to ice, and then simply defrost it at room temperature.
To prevent the water from being too hard, it is also softened artificially. To do this, take peat, wrap it in a bag made of natural fabric and lower it into water. Peat should be taken at a ratio of 1:1, that is, per 10 liters of water, 10 grams of peat.
As for the watering regime, it is individual for each subspecies separately. It is worth remembering one rule that applies to all orchids. You can water them only when the substrate dries completely, otherwise the root may dry out. If suddenly there is excess water in the flowerpot, it must be able to escape through the holes, otherwise the plant will simply die.
You can water flowers only in the morning. The water temperature should be no less than +30 and no more than + 40 degrees. In summer, you need to water every two days. In winter, no more than 2 times a week. And if the air humidity is high, then watering can be done once a week.
From time to time you can create a hot water shower for your orchid. It should last no more than 2 minutes. It is very effective for the flower, especially during its flowering period.
Of course, it is difficult to carry out all these actions. But if you love orchids and give them due attention, they will repay you in kind and will delight you with their exquisite blooms for at least 6 months a year.
Newbies to the world of orchids should not be afraid of them. Many orchids are easy to grow if you take a little time to learn about their needs. They are not like traditional potted plants. They are epiphytes, which means they do not grow in the ground, but rather use tree trunks.
Caring for orchids is not difficult, it's just not the same as caring for regular plants. Orchids have a reputation for being difficult to grow, but in fact many varieties make excellent houseplants. With proper care, orchids can bloom for several months each year. Providing good care requires only some basic knowledge about orchids and how to grow them.
Variety of orchids
The orchid family contains more than 880 different types (called genera) and more than 22,000 species. These numbers grow every year, making orchids the largest and most diversified family.
Orchids are tropical plants that live as "air plants" hanging from trees. There are lithophyte orchids or “rock plants” that grow on or among rocks. The remaining orchids are “earthlings” that grow in the loamy soils of the jungle.
Despite this, only a few dozen species, or, more precisely, their hybrids, are available for breeding at home. These hybrids were created by crossing different species, and sometimes different genera, to produce desired characteristics such as color, fragrance, flower size, ease of care and propagation. Today's orchid hybrids are very useful houseplants that are relatively easy to care for once you know their basic needs.
Soil for orchids
First of all, you need to remember: orchids do not grow in the ground, it will “strangle” the roots and kill the plant. Orchids require a special environment, and the best soil for the plant will be the one most similar to the natural type in which it grows. The main property that soil for an orchid should have is sufficient moisture capacity.
Orchid pots
Orchids do not grow in pots in the wild. People placed them in pots for their own convenience. The main secret of healthy orchids is healthy roots. The health of regular potted plants is assessed by the growth of their leaves, but for orchids, the best indicator of plant health is root growth.
Read also:
Pumpkin - planting, growing and proper care
When choosing a pot, you need to understand that the roots should breathe and feel free. For orchids, root growth outside the pot would be optimal. But then you will have to maintain an appropriate level of humidity in the house, which is not always possible, especially in winter when the heating devices are on. So, at home, a pot will be the best choice to retain some moisture around the roots.
A good container is a transparent pot, through which you can see whether the plant's roots are growing. It is also worth saying that the process of photosynthesis occurs in the roots of orchids, and a transparent pot will help them with this. You can also use light or white pots.
The conclusion from all of the above is this: small transparent plastic pots (slightly larger than the volume of the roots) allow you to see the roots. White plastic pots are optimal for photosynthesis and are more attractive than clear ones. But ceramic pots are easier to clean and they highlight the beauty of flowering plants. The choice is up to the breeder.
Fertilizer for orchids 
Orchids require special fertilizers designed specifically for this family. A common ingredient in many conventional fertilizers is urea, which is not absorbed very well by orchids.
Orchids do not require a lot of fertilizer: for most species, a “little by little, weekly” regime is suitable.
Humidity and air circulation
“Orchids don’t like wet feet,” but respond to high humidity. Therefore, they are often placed in wet trays, from which moisture will evaporate.
Orchids feel good among their “relatives”, since this also helps to increase humidity among the plants. But do not forget about ventilation: too much humidity and insufficient air circulation can lead to rotting. Achieving the optimal balance of humidity and air circulation is one of the goals of successful orchid care.
Watering orchids
The amount of water needed varies depending on the season: orchids dry out faster in hot and cold weather. Optimal watering also depends on the type of plant.
To check how much water a plant needs, you need to stick a wooden stick into the pot and pull it out after a while. A dry stick means watering is needed urgently, a wet stick means you can wait a little longer to water, a slightly damp stick means watering will be needed soon. The third state is the most optimal for an orchid.
Ecology of knowledge. Home: Growing an orchid at home is not an activity for the lazy; an orchid requires special care, but it gives the owner real magic. How to properly maintain and care for an orchid.
Growing an orchid at home is not an activity for the lazy; an orchid requires special care, but it gives the owner real magic. How to properly maintain and care for an orchid.
Orchid content
Remember that an orchid is an epiphyte. That is, in natural conditions it lives on other plants, usually trees. Therefore, it should be planted not in the ground, but in a special substrate. You can buy orchid substrate ready-made, or you can prepare it yourself. Take dry pine bark and boil thoroughly. Dry. After a couple of days, boil again. This is necessary to destroy harmful insects. Cut the finished bark into small pieces (pieces 1.5-2 cm in size). Mix with dried, crushed sphagnum moss. The substrate is ready.
A few words about the orchid pot. When choosing a pot for an orchid, experts recommend a white one or, even better, a transparent one - this one will not heat up in the sun and will not overheat the roots of the plant. Interestingly, a plastic pot is better - in a clay pot, the roots of orchids grow to its porous walls and are therefore severely injured during transplantation. There must be holes in the pot, because one of the main conditions for the healthy well-being of orchids is excellent ventilation. In addition, water will not stagnate there.
The pot is ready. Now, to make caring for the orchid easier, we place drainage on the bottom, which is necessary for good water movement. Small pieces of polystyrene foam (0.5-1 cm) can be used as drainage. The drainage layer should occupy a little less than one-fourth of the pot, then lay the prepared substrate on three-quarters and place the orchid. Do not press down the roots under any circumstances! Having arranged the plant, fill the pot with the remaining substrate.
And remember - an orchid is replanted once every 3 years, no more often.
Orchid lighting
Orchid is a very light-loving plant. The availability of the required amount of light determines whether the orchid will bloom and for how long. But at the same time, she cannot stand the bright midday sun. So it is better to place the pot with the beauty on a western or eastern window. If this is not possible, provide the flower with additional light. You can determine how an orchid is feeling by looking at the leaves - if they have become very dark, then there is not enough light, and if they turn yellow or become covered with spots, then you have too much light.
Watering and feeding the orchid.
The orchid should be watered every 2-3 days in summer, and 1-2 times a week in winter. Make sure that the substrate dries out significantly in between waterings; orchids do not like waterlogging. Water the orchid by placing the flower pot in a bowl of water for 10 minutes, and the substrate collects water through the holes in the pot. Then drain the water, and let the plant stand in an empty container for the same amount of time.
There is no point in watering the plant from above, like all other flowers; the flower will not receive the required amount of moisture in this way. For watering, use warm, settled water. An indicator of a lack of moisture is wrinkled leaves and pseudobulbs, and an excess of moisture is darkened or, especially, rotting roots.
Orchids do not like dry air, so do not forget about humidification. Periodically spray the orchid with warm water, especially in hot weather or if the flower is located near heating radiators. But do not do this at night; at night the stems and leaves must be dry, better in the morning or during the day.
An interesting idea is to give your orchid a warm shower from time to time. It is believed that in this way we remind the plant of warm tropical showers and, as lovers of this flower note, after this procedure they grow more cheerfully and bloom more actively. But you don’t need to do this when the orchid is already blooming - after all, indoor plants are weaker than in nature and can shed their wonderful petals. It all happens like this - the flower is placed in a bath and watered with a weak stream from the shower for several minutes. The water temperature should be about +40C, that is, slightly warmer than body temperature. Let the water drain and “cool” the flower, blot the middle of the plant with a napkin so that it does not rot.
In addition to regular watering, orchids need additional feeding. Use specialized fertilizers for orchids; feeding epiphyte orchids with residual fertilizers from other indoor plants is not only useless, but also dangerous, because they clog the air spaces of the roots that orchids need. During growth and flowering, this should be done once every two weeks. The rest of the time, 1-2 times a month and in smaller quantities is enough.
Orchids and air
In nature, orchids are epiphytes, that is, they grow on trees where air circulation is much higher than on the ground. Therefore, in stuffy, unventilated rooms, orchids grow poorly and bloom worse. If you are interested in making your orchid happy in your home, create a little air movement. But not a draft - orchids don’t like it, they quickly drop their flowers. Professional orchid growers periodically (for an hour or two) turn on a weak fan in the room with orchids, not directed at the flowers.
As for the air temperature, the overwhelming majority of orchids come from southern countries and love warmth, so the optimal temperature for their maintenance and care is +20C-+25C. And if the temperature drops to 17 degrees and below, the chance of seeing an orchid bloom is minimal.
Orchid does not bloom - what care is needed
The blossoming of an orchid is the most joyful moment in the life of any gardener. The orchid blooms at the age of 1.5-2.5 years. It can be very difficult to wait for it to bloom. It would seem that you are caring for her with all your might, but she, ungrateful, does not want to blossom. And you leave her alone! An orchid needs a little stress to produce a beautiful flower. A sharp temperature change can speed up flowering. For example, keep the whim all night at a temperature of +18C, and in the morning move it to a warm room. A reduction in watering can also serve as an impetus for flowering. In winter, there is no point in driving out an orchid at all - it is better to put it in a cool place, let it wait there for spring. published
Growing orchids indoors is not particularly difficult, but requires adherence to strict rules regarding the maintenance, as well as lighting and feeding of such flowers. Of course, anyone can plant this flower, but it is only possible to properly grow a truly beautiful and flowering plant if you follow agricultural technology.
Oddly enough, it is believed that keeping an orchid in the house is a bad omen. However, for most gardeners, signs do not prevent them from growing a beautiful flowering plant. But keeping a flower in the bedroom, based on signs and legends, is still not worth it. Features of indoor plant maintenance can be studied in specialized literature on the topic “Signs and home flowers.”
General rules
At the initial stage, you should correctly decide what type and variety of orchid you intend to grow. This is quite easy to do even for beginners. The variety must be selected taking into account the following nuances:
- in warm rooms you should grow blue "Vandu", "Phalaenopsis", "Cattleya" And "Dendrobiums";
- should be kept in rooms with moderate temperatures "Leli", which are quite easy to grow;
- can be grown in cool type of premises "Coelogonia", "Paphiopedilum".
Regardless of the variety, the soil or soil must be selected correctly. It is almost impossible to grow a healthy plant from seeds or “babies” without the availability of quality soil or when using depleted soil. Currently, you can purchase ready-made soil for orchids in garden stores. However, you can prepare the land for planting yourself.
Choosing soil and pot
Proper planting of flowers in a pot is very important. Otherwise, the plant may weaken and will have to be treated for a long time. When the soil and pot are chosen correctly, orchids live in indoor conditions for a long time and bloom profusely. In addition, it is important to choose the timing when you can plant the shoot.
Quite often, the reason that a plant needs to be treated is a violation of the planting deadlines. That is why, before planting an adult orchid or planting seeds, you should carefully prepare the planting soil and pot and observe the planting time, or rather replanting, and a few simple rules:
- A properly planted plant is sold in a transparent pot, which is absolutely no coincidence. Orchid roots need not only high-quality soil, but also light, which is due to their participation in photosynthesis. You should not rush and plant flowers in a dense but beautiful pot. If it is necessary to divide and replant the plant, the pot should remain transparent.
- It should be remembered that it is generally not recommended to replant orchids frequently and change their soil. An adult plant and its shoot are difficult to tolerate such manipulations. Experienced flower growers believe that changing the soil inhibits the growth and flowering of a flower, and also weakens it.
- As a rule, the aerial roots of the crop stick up directly from the soil, which can create the impression of crowding and the need to increase the amount of soil. Therefore, many novice flower growers try to frequently change planting containers, dooming the plant to illness, and then to long-term treatment.
- It should be remembered that the appearance of crowding is deceptive, and an aerial root system is a common situation and depends on how much nutrients the plant accumulates and how much light the root system requires for photosynthesis. Dried roots should simply be pruned. But healthy aerial roots do not require pruning.
Growing orchids at home (video)
The soil for growing such plants is represented by a special soil mixture. This soil is based on the use of tree bark. It must be remembered that orchids will not grow in ordinary soil. Bark-based soil is quite easy to find in flower shops, but initially you won’t need it. It will have to be used only after flowering, at the stage when the plant needs to be replanted.
Orchids live long and bloom well if the following requirements are met:
- You can pour clean boiled water into the saucer on which the flower pot with a flowering plant is located;
- It is often impossible to replant an orchid (especially at the flowering stage);
- You can put a clove of garlic in each planting container, which will help repel insect pests that often inhabit flower pots;
- standard table lamps are used for lighting;
- orchids and “babies” after detachment can only be transplanted into a transparent planting container;
- After planting, flowers can be watered only from above the planting substrate, which will allow water to freely pass through the soil layer and enrich the plant with oxygen.
Many people try to grow orchids from seeds. Currently, stores offer a wide range of seeds of this plant, but it is extremely difficult to obtain a full-fledged flowering specimen by planting seeds. As a rule, this method is advisable if it is necessary to obtain a varietal plant, the seeds of which will be used to obtain hybrid plants. Most often, so-called “baby” orchids are used for planting. The “baby” is planted in the same way as dividing a plant.
Orchids at home require special care. Depending on how much time is spent on care, and how lighting, fertilizing and watering are properly maintained after planting, its appearance and flowering will depend.
Rules of care
The health of a houseplant depends entirely on compliance with care requirements. The orchid is no exception, and it is simply impossible to force this flower to grow or bloom in inappropriate conditions.
Lighting
You should carefully consider the issue of lighting orchids. The most important thing for each plant is the correct lighting regime, on which growth, development and full flowering depend. During the intensive growth stage, this type of flower requires about 15 hours of continuous light.
It is especially important to observe the lighting regime in conditions of short winter daylight hours. It is convenient to use a special type of fluorescent or phytolamps, which can force the plants to prepare for the formation of flower buds.
Top dressing
When daylight hours increase, that is, in spring, you should start feeding. Shortening daylight hours becomes a reason to reduce the application of fertilizers. Fertilizing should be carried out after two waterings. On cloudy, low-sunny days, fertilizing stops. The fertilizer must be diluted in water and then left for at least ten minutes, which will cause the drug to completely dissolve.
Watering
A convenient method of watering is the method of immersing the planting container. In addition, you should carefully monitor the condition of the green part of the orchid and reduce watering if high humidity levels are detected in the room where the plant is grown, as well as during the plant’s dormant stage and with a large planting pot that can accumulate too much moisture. The plant is responsive to spraying the leaves with distilled water.
Care after flowering
Orchids bloom several times throughout the growing period. As a rule, flowering is long-lasting and can last for several months. After flowering, the plant needs special care. If, after the flowers have fallen, the peduncle dries out, then the crop should be prepared for a period of rest, which should begin after flowering. In this case, the peduncle dries out and falls off on its own. If this does not happen, then trimming is done at a height of 3 cm.
There are cases when, after flowering, the peduncle continues to develop, which indicates preparation for the formation of the last flower bud.
You can find out more about caring for your home orchid.
How and when an orchid blooms
As a rule, it is impossible to force a plant to bloom at the request of the grower at a certain time. In addition, it is impossible to make orchids bloom without optimal temperatures. However, it should be remembered that stimulating flowering does not always leave its mark on the health of the crop. It is most difficult to get a variety to bloom that comes from a mountainous region, where dry periods are insignificant or completely absent.
Experienced gardeners use two methods to stimulate flowering.
Drought stimulation
This technique is applicable to any species and variety for which the presence of a dormant period is optional. It can be used regardless of the season. Temperature readings should not exceed +30 °C. This technique allows you to make the flower buds on the plant wake up in a fairly short time.
Stimulation by temperature changes
The optimal time to use this technique is the spring, when there are stable night temperatures at least +16 °C. The plant should be kept in normal indoor conditions during the day, and taken out into the open air at night. Flowering begins no later than a month later.
Orchid transplantation at home (video)
Orchids are light-loving plants, but direct sunlight can be harmful to them. The optimal location is a window sill on a western or eastern window. In the summer, a good incentive for flowering and development is to move flower pots with plants to the balcony and spray the leaves.
