7 Tips for Basic Orchid Care for a Newbie

The passion for orchids is rightfully called a very special sphere of floriculture. These amazing plants are so unique in their growth form, and in the type of rhizome, and in the requirements for the conditions that it would be a real crime to rank them among ordinary flowering crops. Among the orchids there are a huge number of both the most hardy and unpretentious, specially adapted to indoor conditions, and very capricious, capable of growing only in greenhouses or special showcases of beauties. For those who are just getting acquainted with these exotic stars, it is quite difficult to navigate what exactly is needed for a particular orchid and decide to replenish their collection with tropical stars. And there can be only one recommendation here - start small.


Phalaenopsis Orchid. <>

For those for whom the words "pseudobulba", "aerial roots", "epiphytes" and other concepts that invariably accompany indoor orchids seem unfamiliar, you should first study the basic features of these plants. Do not strive to immediately become the owner of a huge collection of orchids, even if you have the opportunity. It is better to get acquainted with one single flower and, observing it for some time, carefully looking after and studying, figure out if you are ready to take responsibility for exotic beauties from among the most valuable indoor plants. The following tips will help you understand the basics of orchid care:


Phalaenopsis Orchid Mini Mark.

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Tip 5. Gentle but meticulous transplant

Orchids need replanting every 2 years on average. These plants must be handled very carefully, because the roots are easily injured and break off. The substrate is completely replaced. For orchids, special soil mixtures are needed for these types of plants, consisting of coarse parts of bark, moss and other useful components. Before planting, you need to carefully examine the plant and remove all soft, damaged, dry areas by treating the sections with charcoal. Orchids are not buried, they are carefully placed on a poured mound at the bottom of the pot, and then the free space is filled with a substrate.If you are afraid of damaging the rhizome of the orchid during transplantation, for the first procedure, ask a fellow florist who already knows how to handle orchids to assist you. After the procedure, do not water the plant for at least 3 days, and resume feeding only after a month.


Phalaenopsis rider.

Types of indoor orchids and features of plant care

Nowadays, it is hard to meet a person who has heard absolutely nothing about plants such as orchids. Its cultivated varieties are largely different from their wild-growing counterparts. Indoor orchid is one of the most beloved home flowers by many growers, which differ in a variety of different colors.
The very name of the flower comes from the Greek word Orchis. Over the past few years, these plants have gained incredible popularity, but not every grower is able to take care of them.

Suitable substrate

Soil for a flower is not an easy matter. Novice growers often use a ready-made substrate from a flower shop. However, it is not suitable for every plant species. Purchased soil is oversaturated with peat, which leads to root rot. The best option is to remove most of the peat from such a substrate, leaving only the moss. Add some charcoal and pieces of pine bark there, boil it and dry it first, getting rid of insects. The bark should be three times as large as the moss. Before filling the pot with a substrate, expanded clay must be placed on the bottom for good drainage.

flower substrate
This is how an orchid substrate looks like. The main component is pine bark, charcoal, sphagnum moss. A plastic pot with holes, a layer of expanded clay under the substrate provides aeration of the root system

Features of a room orchid

The orchid has long become a very desirable potted indoor flower in almost any home, due to the variety of fantastic plant colors and the duration of flowering. The main difference between the orchid flower is the unique and inimitable structure of the plant. It is interesting to observe how the petals of these flowers and sepals are arranged alternately around the central part.

The lower part of such a flower resembles a little plump and neatly folded baby lips. As a rule, several dozen flowers are observed simultaneously on each plant. The range of colors and shades is always very wide and practically unpredictable. There are specimens with colors ranging from pale white to rich red, and sometimes bright purple.

It is extremely difficult to find among the most common indoor plants an even more attractive and mesmerizing flower than a house orchid. Flowers surprise and fascinate with a variety of shapes and colors. But the culture often frightens many flower growers with its capriciousness and incredible difficulty in performing care.

Orchids are plants with slender stems, the top of which is crowned with an exquisite and unusual flower.

Tip 7. Pruning is not like everyone else

If you have chosen phalaenopsis orchids for acquaintance, then correctly cut off wilted inflorescences on the plant. In phalaenopsis, new peduncles will develop not only at the base of the stem, but also from the eye of a dormant bud on the shoot. Therefore, wilted inflorescences are not removed completely, but approximately half, above the second or even third eye. If you are afraid to make a mistake, it is better to leave the shoots completely after flowering: you can cut off the tops after new shoots appear or as they dry out, removing only the dried tops.

Main types

Modern florists grow several types of orchids indoors. Such plants are adapted to indoor or home growing conditions. The following types of indoor orchids are most often cultivated by flower growers:

  • "Brassia" or "BRASSIA", which is known to many under the name "spider".It has a filamentous type of petals and sepals, which give the plant an unusual appearance.
  • "Cambria" or "CAMBRIA" is an intergeneric type of hybrid of orchids of three different genera, best known as “Vuylstekeara "... Taking care of her at home is easy.
  • "Cattleya" or "CATTLEYA" - the largest version, has a spectacular waxy flower with a corrugated colorful lip. It is easy to take care of him at home.
  • "Cymbidium" or "CYMBIDIUM" is currently replaced by miniature varieties in a wide range of colors and shades, which are grown as indoor and are recommended for beginner amateur flower growers.

  • "Dendrobium" or "DENDROBIUM" has a variety of sizes, shapes and colors of flowers. Looks impressive and requires little maintenance. Flowering is observed at different times throughout the year. Some varieties of this orchid grow well in winter temperatures of + 10 ° C.
  • "Likasta" or "LYCASTE" - a plant intended for cultivation exclusively at home, has yellow flowers, located singly on erect peduncles with a height of 20 cm. They are characterized by a strong aroma. They intensify growth in summer and need proper care, warmth and abundant watering. Taking care of this species is not easy at all.
  • "Miltonia" or "MILTONIA" characterized by a spectacular appearance. Hybrid species of this plant are less demanding on temperature and humidity indicators, and also do not require strict adherence to care technology.
  • "Odontoglossum" or "ODONTOGLOSSUM" requires specific care, the features of which are due to the place of growth in natural conditions. The natural environment for the plant is mountains with a cool climate.

  • "Oncidium" or "ONCIDIUM" has impressive and mesmerizing beauty of flowers that resemble fluttering butterflies. Caring for a plant requires knowledge and patience from the grower.
  • "Papiopedilum" or "PAPHIOPEDILUM", the care of which is not too difficult, but requires strict adherence to temperature and humidity indicators. This "shoe" orchid has "marsupial" flowers and does not form bulbs.
  • "Phalaenopsis" or "PHALAENOPSIS", which even beginners will be able to properly care for. The plant is undemanding to care and grows and develops well at home. No aerial root pruning required.
  • "Zygopetalum" or "ZYGOPETALUM" quite rare on sale. Plant care is not easy. The flowers have all shades of purple.

However, caring for indoor orchid species may seem easier if the grower can familiarize himself with the name of the plant and its needs in advance.

general description

The description of the orchid should start with the fact that the Orchid family is the largest among flowering plant crops. There are about thirty thousand varieties. They are common all over the globe because they can easily adapt to almost any climatic conditions.

The appearance and size of the flowers themselves may be different. Most of the representatives of indoor plants are epiphytic or epilithic. They have aerial roots (including). The root system is equipped with a spongy tissue of cells that are filled with air and absorb moisture well.

The stems of such a plant are thickened, fusiform. There are also bloated. These flowers store nutrients together with moisture during the rainy season. Thanks to this ability, these crops survive the dry season without problems every year. They "deposit" reserves of moisture and nutrients in rhizomes or in underground tubers.

The flowers themselves are built according to a "certain" pattern: three sepals alternate with three petals. There are one or two stamens, which grow together with the pistil column. The stigma of the pistil is located on the inner side, under the anther.

The structure of the orchid flower (the variety is brought by the shape, size and color)

Home care

Orchids are quite capricious when grown at home, and caring for them can be quite difficult. It is generally especially important to take proper care of the plant during the flowering period. Proper care consists in maintaining a well-chosen temperature regime and humidity indicators, as well as protecting the flower from direct sunlight.

In addition, the irrigation and feeding scheme should be followed. Before purchasing an indoor orchid, you should familiarize yourself with the rules and technology that allow you to properly care for such an exotic plant.


Names and passport

A passport for indoor plants will come in handy for novice growers. It contains information about the name of the flower. In addition, the information is reflected, to what degree of illumination the culture needs, what temperatures should be maintained in the summer, and what temperature indicators are needed in winter.

The passport also provides information about what kind of watering is needed, when the plant can or even needs to be transplanted. Such a document will greatly facilitate the care of the flower.

You may also be interested in the article on yellow orchids.

All about the dacha

Newcomers to the orchid world shouldn't be afraid of them. Many orchids are easy to grow with a little time to learn about their needs. They don't look 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 simple, it just isn't the same as for regular plants. Orchids have a reputation for being difficult to grow, but in fact, many varieties can make excellent houseplants. With proper care, orchids can bloom for several months each year. Providing good care requires only some basic knowledge of orchids and how to grow them.

Variety of orchids

The orchid family has over 880 different types (called genera) and over 22,000 species. These numbers are growing every year, making orchids the largest and most diversified family.

Orchids are tropical plants that live like "air plants" hanging from trees. There are lithophyte orchids or "stone plants" growing on or among rocks. The rest of the orchids are "earthlings" that grow in the loamy soils of the jungle.

Despite this, only a few dozen species are available for breeding at home, or rather, their hybrids. These hybrids were created by crossing different species, and sometimes different genera, to obtain the desired characteristics such as color, aroma, flower size, ease of care and propagation. Today's orchid hybrids are very useful houseplants that are relatively easy to care for given their basic needs.

Soil for orchids

First of all, you need to remember: orchids do not grow in the ground, it will "choke" the roots and kill the plant. Orchids require a special environment, and the best soil for a plant will be the most similar to the natural type in which it grows. The main property that the soil for an orchid should have is sufficient moisture capacity.

Orchid pots

Orchids do not grow in pots in the wild. People put them in pots for their own convenience. The main secret to healthy orchids is healthy roots. The health of common potted plants is measured by their leaf growth, and for orchids, the best indicator of plant health is root growth.

When choosing a pot, you need to understand that the roots must breathe and feel free.For orchids, root growth outside the pot would be optimal. But then you will have to maintain the appropriate level of humidity in the house, which is not always possible, especially in winter with the heating devices turned on. Thus, at home, a pot will be the best choice for retaining some moisture around the roots.

Transparent pots are a good container through which you can see if the roots of the plant are growing. It is also worth saying that the process of photosynthesis takes place 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 transparent ones. Ceramic pots, on the other hand, are easier to clean and enhance 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 common fertilizers is urea, which is not well absorbed by orchids.

Orchids do not require a lot of fertilization: for most species, a "little, weekly" mode is suitable.

Humidity and air circulation

"Orchids do not like wet feet," but respond to high humidity. Therefore, they are often placed in wet trays, from which moisture will evaporate.

Orchids do well among their “congeners”, as this also contributes to an increase in moisture among the plants. But do not forget about ventilation: too much humidity and little air circulation can lead to rotting. Achieving an optimal balance of moisture and air circulation is one of the goals of successful orchid care.

Watering orchids

The amount of water you need varies with the season; orchids dry out faster in hot and cold weather. Optimal watering also depends on the type of plant.

To check how much the plant needs water, you need to stick a wooden stick into the pot and pull it out after a while. Dry stick - watering is needed urgently, wet - you can wait with watering, slightly wet - watering will soon be needed. The third state is the most optimal for the orchid.

Light for orchids

Many orchids are undemanding to light, but they need darkening on the south side of the window and additional lighting on the north. Compared with the illumination on the street, these "beauties" will suit a shady area. In winter, a fluorescent lamp will be enough for them to feel comfortable.

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All about mistakes

Improper care is a violation of one of several agronomic rules. For example, if you apply very often top dressing and in an increased concentration, then the plant will stop its development, and after a while it will die. Besides, there are the following options for improper care:

  • excessive and frequent watering;
  • insufficient humidity and lighting;
  • sharp jumps in temperature, its indicators are too high;
  • wrong transplant and rejection of it.

Quarantine

This procedure is necessary in order to timely identify possible pests, which, both can be brought with an orchid, and are found on your home plants. For this purpose, the purchased orchid is placed in a kind of "quarantine" for 2-2.5 weeks. This does not mean at all that it needs to be covered with a cap or film - it is enough just to put it on some separate place, isolated from other colors.

An empty window sill (not on the sunny side) or a free-standing piece of furniture can act as such a place. The distance to the nearest plants should be at least 2 meters. The ideal option would be to place the flower in a separate room. The plant must be left alone for a while:

  • do not allow him to stay in direct sunlight;
  • do not feed;
  • do not water.

These requirements are mandatory even for light and moisture-loving flowers. In this case, the plant will be, as it were, in a kind of "hibernation", from which it must be removed gradually.

orchid in the shade

Plant in quarantine on a shaded windowsill

As the quarantine approaches the end, you need to begin to introduce the orchid to the light, exposing it for an increasing amount of time on the windowsill illuminated by the sun. On the first day - for an hour, on the second - for two, and so on. It is advisable to start watering at the end of the first week of quarantine, but it should not be plentiful - just slightly moisten the roots with warm water.

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See also: Chrysanthemum home: description, varieties, growing in pots, care and reproduction, possible diseases (40+ Photos & Videos) + Reviews

More photos

Moderate watering

Indoor orchid needs careful watering. Its growth depends on it. The flower does not tolerate stagnant water in a pot. Like all epiphytic plants, the overdried substrate is easily tolerated, but for a short time. Different species treat watering differently. Cattleya, dendrobium, oncidium should not be watered until the soil is completely dry. Falinopsis or cymbidium prefer a slightly moist, but not wet substrate. If the flower remains without watering for a long time, it is fraught with decay of the roots, the leaves will turn yellow, wrinkle, then wither.

watering the plant
It is better to water the orchid from above. Remove excess moisture immediately. When a pot has side holes or a flower grows in a basket, it should be immersed in water for a few minutes, then allowed to drain well. It should not remain at the bottom of the container.

In the summer, the houseplant is watered twice or three times a week as the substrate dries. Optimal winter watering is once a week. You need to water it with water at room temperature, rainwater is also suitable. The main principle is soft water. A sense of proportion during watering should not be denied, you need to take into account the level of humidity, intensity of sunlight, air temperature.

What it is?

Of course, you shouldn't take it literally, it is not a specific state “document”.

A plant passport is an information medium containing all the necessary information about a particular plant, which helps in proper care and handling, most often in paper form.

But today it is also possible to record this information on electronic media, CDs, make audio / video files, etc.

Transportation

The transportation of the plant should be taken care of before purchasing it. An orchid can hardly be called a compact plant, so it will be problematic to transport it, in contrast to the same violets, for which a small bag is enough. It is not worth transporting it by public transport; it is better to use a private car or taxi.

Prepared flowers for transportation

It is necessary to transport the plant by holding it in your hands, and not putting it, for example, in the trunk; therefore, when you go to buy a flower, ask someone to help you. To avoid mechanical damage to the leaves, it is advisable to wrap them with thick paper. If transport is carried out at low temperatures, the plant should be packed at the top and bottom as well.

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See also: Dendrobium Orchid - home care. Common types. What to do with a flower after purchase? Care and reproduction rules | (110+ Photos & Videos)

Bloom

bloom-orchids-phalaenopsis-photos
Phalaenopsis, under favorable conditions, can bloom at any time of the year.
Depending on the correct care flowering time can be from 2 to 6 months. The flowers range in size from 2 to 15 centimeters.

The color of the inflorescences can be very diverse: white, phylolette, yellow, red. There are also varieties that have a color from combinations of specks and spots.

Features! The number of flowers on the arrow depends directly on the degree of branching of the peduncle.

Each peduncle can contain from 3 to 40 flowers. In some varieties, the length of the peduncle can reach up to 1 meter. Up to 100 flowers can form on it at a time.

How to care for leaves

leaves-orchids-phalaenopsis-photos
The dark green, fleshy leaves require special care. They need to be wiped clean and sprayed frequently.
With proper care, the length of the leaves reaches 50 - 70 centimeters.

When the lower leaves that form the rosette die off, they must be trimmed to healthy leaves. Such pruning will be beneficial, it continues to grow even more actively.

Reference! As with all monopodial plants, the leaves of the Phalaenopsis orchid are essential.

Leaves are sprayed with warm water 3 - 5 times a day. This allows you to maintain the desired level of humidity. This is especially important in autumn and winter, as the air becomes especially dry during the heating season.

Heat-loving

These orchids are native to the tropics or jungle. The temperature for their successful development should be in the range from 15 ° С to 33 ° С during the day and from 15 ° С to 28 ° С during the night. At the same time, daily temperature fluctuations should not exceed 5 ° C. Such plants are recommended to be placed on southern windowsills, providing for light scattering, or any other protection from ultraviolet radiation.

These types include:

1. Malagasy star It has large white flowers and a citrus scent. Temperatures below 10 ° C are fatal for her. The plant prefers dim light and high humidity.

2. Dwarf Wanda Prefers temperatures above 25 ° C and plenty of light. When flowering, it gives many inflorescences of a bright orange hue.

3. Bullen's Dendrobium Native to the Philippines, this plant requires bright light and plenty of water. Its peculiarity is a long growing season and a slight "drying out" of the stems in the fall; in the spring, the stems and leaves are restored. The optimum temperature is about 22 ° C.

4. Phalaenopsis It is one of the most beautiful and widespread orchids. The flowers are pink, white-pink or yellowish. Feels normal at temperatures from 22 ° to 25 ° C. The temperature must not drop below 21 ° C. One of the few orchids that can grow well in sphagnum.

Phalaenopsis orchids

Heat-loving, Phalaenopsis
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See also: Dracaena marginata - care, reproduction at home (140 Photos)

Reproduction

If a baby has appeared on the plant, first of all you need to know that it is separated only when the roots on the baby reach 5 cm in length. This usually takes up to six months. First, the vegetative part will grow, and then the baby grows its root system.

But sometimes this does not happen, and then the child needs help so that she gets her roots. There are various ways to do this. One of them is when tie up sphagnum moss at the bottom of the kids, in such a way that there is a distance of about 5 mm between it and the bottom of the baby. In this case, the moss is moistened every two days to achieve the moisture necessary for root growth.

IMPORTANT! The right conditions for root growth must be organized

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