Phalaenopsis Orchid Care Rules

Caring for the Phalaenopsis orchid involves ensuring optimal conditions. In nature, culture grows in humid tropical forests on trees, so it is important to create a microclimate close to the natural at home. Then the plant will enjoy a healthy look and beautiful flowering.

Rules for the care of the orchid phalaenopsis

General Information

Phalaenopsis is one of the varieties of orchid. Beginning gardeners will not be difficult to grow it hybrids are bred at home. Recently, small-flowered species with bright colors, dendrofalenopsis have been especially popular. Often they are bought by adolescents who need adaptation.

The plant is quarantined, because a certain amount of it was created in the store Wednesday. Transporting and placing the orchid in other conditions is a great stress for the crop. Therefore, the flower for 2 weeks is set separately from other indoor plants.

Care of Phalaenopsis during this period:

• watering is minimized;
• prevent direct sunlight rays on the orchid;
• inspect for pests in order to identify and neutralize them in time, then the orchid will not infect other crops.

Feeding does not produce. After the end of the dormant period, it is gradually accustomed to the sun and watering is resumed.

Optimum microclimate

Phalaenopsis orchid care at home is done according to certain rules.

Illumination

For good flowering, diffused light is required. In the summer, plants shade to prevent sunburn. For this purpose, a frosted film is glued onto the window or the culture is fenced off with plastic. This view will feel good on the north, west or northwest window. A blooming orchid can be placed in the back of the room, but then it is returned to its place.

In the autumn-winter period, the culture is illuminated with phytolamps, since the daylight hours for it should be 12-13 hours. The distance between the lamp and the plant is maintained at 20-30 cm to prevent thermal burns.

If Phalaenopsis does not have enough light, the leaves are stretched. They brighten first, and then turn yellow. Every 2-3 weeks the plant is rotated 180 ° C, as it tilts in one direction. Manipulation is not performed during the period of bud formation.

Temperature conditions

Phalaenopsis is classified as heat-loving varieties. Its flowering occurs at 18-25 ° C. If the culture is in the heat for a long time, it discards the flowers, the leaves lose turgor. Low temperatures can damage when the soil is wet.The plant does not tolerate sudden changes – the difference between daily and day values ​​should not exceed 3-5 ° C.

Humidity

The optimum humidity is 30-40%. No need to equip pallets for extra moisture. It is better to spray the plant with a spray gun. It is necessary to ensure that water does not accumulate in the leaf outlet, otherwise this will lead to rotting of the neck.

Watering

It is better to water the flower in the morning

The secret to properly moistening the substrate lies in its complete drying. Water the crop when the flower pot becomes very light. The frequency of water application depends on such factors:

• season;
• indoor temperature;
• type of substrate.

The procedure is performed in this way:

• take settled or filtered water at room temperature;
• pour it into a basin;
• put a flower pot in it on 20-30 minutes;
• allow excess fluid to drain;
• return the plant to its place.

Watering is best done in the morning, so that throughout the day the orchid dried out. At night, the temperature drops and too wet the substrate becomes the cause of the development of root rot or growth points, yellowing of the leaves and their edema. Once a month, the plant is washed under a tap or shower, periodically wiped with a wet sponge.

The plant must not be allowed to remain in dry soil for a long time. This threatens to wrinkle pseudobulbs and leaves. An indicator that it needs water is the color change of the roots from bright green to light green. And also in a transparent pot there is no moisture on the walls. Watering is reduced after flowering, during the dormant period.

Feeding

The rules for caring for the phalaenopsis include the application of fertilizers. They are given during watering during the active growth of leaves, peduncles and the formation of buds. During dormancy, top dressing is stopped.

The complex preparation Kemira-Lux (1 g per 1 liter of water) is excellent for fertilizer. Apply it 2 times a month. When used every week, reduce its concentration. Too frequent fertilizer lowers the immunity of the plant, it is more often affected by diseases. The substrate must already be wet before introducing the feeding agents. Other drugs are also used, on which there is a mark “for orchids.”

Transplant

Manipulation is performed once every 2-3 years in the spring. From October to February, it is better not to disturb the culture. But there are times when you need to transplant the plant faster:

• strong branching of the roots, their germination through drainage holes;
• decay of the root system;
• the flower is planted in moss sphagnum;
• the substrate has decomposed;
• pests have been detected.

First, drainage from heavy granite stones is placed in a pot with drilled holes at 1/3 of its height. It is better that it be transparent, since the roots of phalaenopsis are involved in the process of photosynthesis. If you use the same container for planting, you should treat it with 70% alcohol. Then prepare the substrate. In its quality they take pure pine bark. The plant must be dried for several hours.

The roots must be separated from the substrate

Transplantation process:

• take a flower from the pot;
• separate the roots from the substrate;
• examine it for pests , if insects are detected, the root system is soaked in a medicinal product;
• rotten, dry and damaged roots are removed using disinfected scissors for this;
• the places of cuts are treated with crushed activated carbon;
• p The walls are immersed in a container and covered with substrate.

Some growers under the neck of orchids placed foam. This will prevent excessive moisture from below. Do not deepen the rhizome. After transplanting, the plant is not watered until 5 days.

If the procedure is performed after the purchase of a young orchid, it is important to carefully handle the roots. In adult culture, they are brittle, and in adolescents – especially.

Pruning

Growing phalaenopsis at home also involves removing the peduncle after the orchid has blossomed. Cut it off when the arrow is completely dry. If it remains green, the plant can bloom again, so the grower decides whether to remove the organ.

Pruning is done with extreme caution so as not to damage the leaves. A garden secateurs treated with a disinfectant are used for this. The flower stalk is removed at the base, leaving the shoot 2.5-3 cm long. The place of the cut is treated with brilliant green, cinnamon, activated carbon.

Stimulation of flowering

The culture blooms for a long time and most Suitable for growing at home. When the orchid fades, they create a stressful situation. At night, they are placed in a cooler place (18 ° C), and in the morning they are transferred to a warm environment. The difference between the temperature indicators is at least 6-8 ° C. To this end, watering is still reduced. Spray only the substrate. Stimulation is also performed using the preparations Ovary, Bud, Pollen. Use them according to the instructions.

If the orchid does not bloom for more than 3 months, it is worth adjusting the conditions of detention. The reasons may be:

• insufficient lighting;
• excess nitrogen-containing substances.

Reproduction

Phalaenopsis is not propagated by division of the rhizome. It is difficult to manipulate using seeds at home.For reproduction, there is another method – vegetative. When lateral shoots grow on a peduncle or near a leaf outlet, they are separated. They do this 2 months after flowering: the shoots should have 2 leaves and air roots 5 cm long. It is good if the children have not outgrown, otherwise it will affect the leaf outlet badly. Before landing, they are dried for a day. A greenhouse is built above the plant, where the temperature should be at the level of 22-25 ° C.

Phalaenopsis babies rarely appear. This happens more often with improper care. To propagate orchids, their formation is stimulated in this way:

• find a sleeping bud on an old peduncle;
• remove the scales from it with a sharp knife;
• lubricate them with a growth regulator or fresh birch sap.

After 1-2 months, leaves will appear at the incision site, roots after 3 months. The process is accelerated using a plastic bag that is worn on the plant. It helps kids grow faster.

Conclusion

Phalaenopsis is easy for an orchid, so even beginner growers can grow it. But the process has its own rules. In order for the plant to grow and develop well, they should be strictly observed. Otherwise, the culture will begin to hurt, then you will have to take treatment measures. Proper care is the prevention of many diseases.