Beautiful butterfly orchid - Phalaenopsis Mix: what kind of flower is it and what kind of care is needed?

Phalaenopsis are easy-to-grow orchids. Many indoor plant lovers keep an unpretentious butterfly orchid in their home for a long time. Blooming phalaenopsis is not only decorative, but also uplifting ("Houseplants blooming in autumn and winter, as a remedy for depression").

Does this culture belong to the orchid class or not?

Botanists call orchids stems belonging to the orchid class. These include over 80,000 species. Phalaenopsis is also among them. Scientists distinguish between three main groups of orchids:

1. Epiphytic... Crops that can grow without soil.
2. Terrestrial... Flowers that require soil to develop and grow.
3. Underground... Unusual species that grow under the earth.

It is interesting... According to experts, orchids are the oldest plant species on our planet.

Phalaenopsis is a type of epiphytic orchid. This subtype has about 40 varieties. The flowers of this plant are unique - they look like air butterflies and have a rich and pleasant aroma.

What does the orchid mix love and what is it afraid of? Plant photos

Since ancient times, the orchid was considered a greenhouse, exotic miracle, since only a small part could have such a treasure in their home. Now the orchid is the simplest and most common houseplant. Hybrids with different properties began to appear on store shelves.

Today, there are about 35 thousand species of orchids, and this is not a lot, not a little, about 10 percent of all plants on Earth. Orchids vary in shape and lifestyle. They are in the form of shrubs and herbaceous plants, lianas, as well as lithophytes and epiphytes.

Differences from other species: is there a difference and in what?

There are no visible differences between them, because phalaenopsis belongs to the orchid species. But there are a number of secondary features that distinguish plants:

Prevention of various problems

To prevent the plant from being damaged by diseases and pests, it is necessary to observe proper care for it.

This orchid variety is gaining more and more popularity in our time. The plant is a great option for beginner hobbyists who have just started arranging their indoor garden, as orchid mix is ​​quite easy to care for... The main thing is to follow all the rules for caring for her, and then the orchid will delight others with its beauty about three times a year.

Main settings

This epiphytic culture grows up to half a meter in length. Phalaenopsis flowers have 6 petals, one of them is different in shape and is called a lip. The peduncle grows up to 80-90 cm and bears about 25-30 buds up to 15 cm in size.

How often and how much can it bloom?

Flowering depends on the age of the crop. To admire the luxurious flowers, you should wait for the maturation of the phalaenopsis. On average, the plant pleases the owner 2-3 times a year with abundant flowering. The flowering period varies from 2 to 6 months.

Time of the beginning of bud formation

The big advantage of phalaenopsis is its year-round flowering. For a rich flowering, competent care and care is required. The first flowering begins at 2-3 years of flower life..

The period and timing of the formation of the peduncle

A peduncle is a shoot of a plant growing from the base of the stem. In an ordinary phalaenopsis, a flowering shoot is formed in 1.5-2 months, hybrids need more time - about 3 months. Lateral peduncles develop most rapidly - 1-1.5 months is enough for them.

Information... Phalaenopsis peduncle develops faster at temperatures from + 25⁰С.

What colors are there?

The color scheme of the flowering plant is striking in its variety: from snow-white color to black and deep burgundy. It depends on the type of culture.

Amabilis

The flowers have a delicate and delicate aroma. The petals are pure white.

Schindler

Peduncles are capable of acquiring up to 200 inflorescences. Flowers have salmon (pale pink) shades.

Stewart

Differs in the splendor of white inflorescences with medium-sized red blotches.

Sander

Purple flowers delight the owner all year round, but do not have a scent.

Horse

And this phalaenopsis is miniature. The flowers themselves appear small - no more than 3 cm with a bright lilac or pale pink color.

Sakura

It has a very delicate floral color (the middle is lilac or pinkish with a white border).

You can learn more about Sakura's phalaenopsis from this helpful video:

Ludemann

The flowers are varied in color (from lemon to purple).

Giant

Coloring flowers predominantly in red and yellow shades... The flowers themselves exude a delicate citrus aroma.

Description

The history of the discovery of this unpretentious orchid is as follows: in 1750, the Dutch professor Blume was on the Ambon island of the Malay archipelago. Dusk was deepening, and the botany was surrounded on all sides by darkening dense thickets. And then he noticed a flock of bright butterflies descending on the plant. The professor came closer and was surprised to see that in front of him were not butterflies, but flowers of a beautiful orchid. This plant was named "Phalaenopsis", which is translated from Greek as "like a butterfly."

Phalaenopsis (Phalaenopsis) grows in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, the Malay Archipelago and northeastern Australia. The genus has more than 50 species. In addition, many hybrids have been bred, since Phalaenopsis easily interbreed with each other and with other closely related genera. There are many hybrids that are more interesting than natural orchids. They have an intense or unusual color, a different flower size, often a pleasant aroma, etc. Small-flowered hybrids with bright colors are becoming more and more popular.

Phalaenopsis are prized for their beautiful butterfly-shaped flowers. Flowers are collected in multi-flowered racemes on long peduncles. Floral arrows rise from the axils of the leaves or from the exposed root part of the plant. Some species and hybrids have flower clusters with an incredibly large number of flowers. Flowering can take many months. There are techniques to make an orchid bloom at any time of the year. With proper care, phalaenopsis are able to bloom two, and sometimes three times a year.

Recently, phalaenopsis have appeared on sale with a pungent blue or intense blue color of flowers.These are dyed plants, which can be recognized by the inscription on the label or by the blue tips of the roots of individual phalaenopsis.

Phalaenopsis is an epiphyte. He chooses trees for growth, which for him are both a support and a place of residence. The gray-green roots sticking out in all directions receive nutrition from rotted plant residues that accumulate in the depressions of the bark and in the forks of the tree. They feed and water the epiphyte. In a humid environment, the roots become not smooth, but velvety to the touch. Part of the roots holds the phalaenopsis in place of its growth. Some phalaenopsis are distinguished by the fact that the tips of their growing roots are pink or burgundy. This is not a disease, but a property inherent in individual hybrids. Most often, those with a strongly pronounced burgundy color of the underside of the leaves. Phalaenopsis has no stem. In a butterfly orchid, a rosette of leaves dense to the touch is formed. Over time, the old lower leaves turn yellow and dry out. This is a natural process.

Home care

These flowers are unpretentious and ideal for beginners. But before you start a beautiful pet, you should learn about the nuances of care.

The necessary conditions

The modern flower industry offers a wide variety of phalaenopsis species. Most flowers are hybrids created with adaptation to domestic conditions.

Lighting

For orchids, light is essential for good development.... With its lack, plants lose leaf pigmentation. But, given that in the wild, flowers hide in shaded places, they also need shading at home.

Important... The best place to place phalaenopsis will be windows facing east, south and southeast.

If all home windows face north, the situation can be corrected by using phytolamps. Duration of daylight hours:

• for healthy adult plants: 12-16 hours;
• for young stock and weakened crops: 16-18 hours.

Temperature

The temperature regime provides the plant with photosynthesis. This process provides an opportunity for the flower to receive nutrition and energy reserves for growth.
A comfortable biochemical process is ensured by creating temperature conditions for the flower of + 18-30⁰С. But hybrids can easily withstand temperatures of + 15⁰С.

Air humidity

This issue becomes especially relevant in winter, during the heating season. Batteries reduce humidity. Therefore, for the health of the plant, it is worth acquiring air humidifiers. Or simply by placing containers of water next to the pot. In conditions of poor humidity, phalaenopsis is regularly sprayed.

Advice... If in rooms where orchids grow at a low temperature, spraying is carried out only when feeding.

How to water properly?

Phalaenopsis is an epiphytic plant that is unable to extract nutrients from the soil. But it is still necessary to water the culture, adhering to the following conditions:

• ideal water - rain or melt, you can use filtered;
• tap water is also suitable after settling for 1-1.5 days;
• water the flowers at the first sign of a lack of moisture (in this case, silvery areas appear on the roots).

You will learn about the correct watering of the phalaenopsis orchid from this video:

By immersion

Competent care consists in moderate soil moisture. The immersion method is the most commonly used and has several options.:

1. Complete... A flower in a pot is placed in a container filled with water for 8-10 minutes. Suitable exclusively for healthy plants.
2. Partial... The culture is placed in a container and removed immediately. Only soil moistening is required.
3. Long-term... Suitable for orchids with a strong root system. The plant is immersed in water and left there for 10-12 hours.

Strait technique

This method is used for young and weakened orchids. Water is poured around the edges of the pot. The holes allow moisture to drain into the tray / planter.The plant is not waterlogged and receives a sufficient amount of liquid. This method is also recommended after transplanting orchids when the plants are under stress.

Top dressing and growth stimulation

Competent care of phalinopsis is impossible without regular feeding. Fertilizers help plants to bloom profusely and for a long time. But you need to know some points:

• feed only healthy crops;
• it is not recommended to fertilize flowering orchids - this leads to a decrease in the duration of flowering;
• fertilizers are applied during the dormant period no more than 2 times weekly, and during active growth once a week;
• do not fertilize the orchid immediately after transplanting;
• do not feed young and immature flowers.

As fertilizers, specialized formulations for orchids are used. These are the complexes "Doctor Foley" with a high content of potassium and nitrogen and "Mister Color", which helps to grow roots, develop a peduncle. Also a good remedy is the Forte complex supplement containing phosphorus for lush and long-lasting flowering.

We offer you to watch a useful video about feeding Phalaenopsis orchids:

How to get the buds to type?

If the phalinopsis is lazy, does not want to bloom, it must be pushed. That is, to provide a short temperature drop of 3-5⁰С. A little stress activates flowering.
But don't overdo it! If the flower is allowed to undercool, it can pick up a fungal infection..

How to extend the flowering period?

In addition to a specialized additive to help prolong the flowering period, a stressful situation can also be used. For example, move the flowerpot to a cool place. The plant will slow down the metabolism, which will lead to an increase in the flowering period.

How to trim after?

After flowering, the plant begins a dormant period. The best time to trim. To carry out pruning after flowering, the following instructions are followed.:

1. Preparation of tools. A garden pruner that does not injure the plant is best suited.
2. Disinfection. The secateurs are treated with alcohol or another disinfectant solution.
3. Determination of the cut point. The peduncle should be cut off 1-2 cm above the formed point. Many gardeners cut the peduncle over 2-3 buds.
4. After cutting, the cut site is treated with brilliant green, iodine, or covered with crushed activated carbon.

Advice... The closer the cut is to the outlet, the more flowers on the lateral shoot the plant will form in the future.

How to properly care for at home during the rest period?

During the dormant period, phalaenopsis also needs competent care. Caring at this time is no different from regular care: watering, spraying. But the amount of feeding is reduced to ensure complete rest. Closer to the end of the dormant period, the culture needs to be stimulated for subsequent flowering. This is done by ensuring temperature drops, and increasing the intervals between waterings.

Transfer

After flowering, the orchid will be ready for transplant. Phalaenopsis is usually transplanted once a year. But in some cases, the transplant is carried out more often:

• root damage;
• the appearance of pests;
• lack of substrate;
• wilting of leaves;
• cramped pot.

Before the procedure, a drainage layer is laid on the bottom of the container (foam or expanded clay). Then the culture is carefully removed from the old container, freed from the remnants of the earth. Immediately after the procedure, the flower is placed in a dark place, and after 5-6 days it is watered. Complementary feeding is allowed one month after the transplant.

You can familiarize yourself with the phalaenopsis transplant procedure in this video:

Choice of substrate

Specialty stores sell special soil created for orchids. Better to use it. But you can prepare a suitable mixture yourself from:

• charcoal;
• pieces of moss;
• shredded fern leaves;
• crushed tree bark (birch, oak or pine).

Before mixing the substrate, the moss is soaked, and the fern leaves are washed. The number of components is mixed in a proportion of 1 part of coal, 2 parts of moss and 5 parts of bark.

Pot selection

When choosing a suitable container for phalaenopsis, some rules should be considered. The correct pot should have:

• drainage holes on the bottom of the tank and the bottom;
• diameter exceeding the size of the root system by 3-4 cm;
• height equal to the diameter of the neck.

For novice orchid lovers, it is better to opt for a transparent plastic pot. Such material will allow you to track the condition of the roots of the flower.

Reproduction methods

Breeding is best from February to May.... Before the procedure, the plant is stimulated by changing the temperature regime. This will activate the growth point of the flower bud. Phalaenopsis is propagated in several ways.

Children

Children are cut off from the maternal shoot only after 2-3 leaves and air roots appear on them with a length of 5 cm. They are carefully separated and placed in separate containers. Subsequently, they are cared for, as with adult cultures.

The reproduction of phalaenopsis by children is described in detail in this video:

By cuttings

1. 1.5-2 months after the end of flowering, the peduncle is cut off at the base.
2. Then it is divided into equal parts (each of the parts must have a sleeping kidney).
3. Slices must be processed with charcoal.
4. Prepared cuttings are placed in a greenhouse made of moistened moss and kept in good lighting conditions, at a mode of + 25-27⁰С.

By dividing the socket

If the phalinopsis has a powerful and developed outlet with 7-8 leaves, it can be divided. The top is cut off with a couple of leaves and aerial roots. Cut points are processed. The separated rosette is planted in a separate pot.

Diseases and pests

• Thrips... The appearance of silver and blue blotches is a sign of thrips. Appear due to high temperature. In the fight against thrips, high-quality insecticide treatment will help.
• Spider mite... If a small white cobweb appears on the lower part of the leaf, and yellow spots begin to appear on the upper parts of the leaves. The reason for the appearance is dry air. Soap-alkaline wash will help in the fight against them.
• Aphid... They are tiny, dark plants. They inhabit the entire area of ​​the plant. The main reason is high temperature and low humidity. Milk-water solution (1: 1) and a light insecticide will help in the fight against them.
• Shield... Small lice form growths on orchid leaves, under which they live. Appear at elevated temperatures. Milk-water solution (1: 1) and a light insecticide will help in the fight against them.

FAQ

Phalaenopsis is considered the most unpretentious type of orchid and is ideal for beginner hobbyists. But even with the observance of the rules of care, plant breeders have many questions.

What to do if the indoor culture is growing but cannot bloom?

There are several techniques to help force a plant to bloom. These are the following methods:

1. Spray with a growth stimulant (for example, Epin)... Spraying is done in the morning every day.
2. Simulate a drought or rainy season... The plant is immersed in warm water (not lower than + 35⁰C) for 3-4 days. Then the supply of moisture stops, and after 1.5-2 weeks the plant is watered as usual.

Flowers wither: what does it mean, how to save?

If the orchid owner noticed such a nuisance, you can fix the situation. But to do this, you must identify the source of the problem and fix it. The following factors lead to wilting of flowers:

• stressful situations (this happens with new plants that have not yet settled down at home);
• dry air (the heating season is especially dangerous);
• illiterate watering (excessive or insufficient);
• pests (mealy worms become especially dangerous).

Why do the leaves turn yellow?

The most common cause is insufficient watering of the plant. The lump in which the orchid is located should be soaked completely, but not allowing water to stagnate at the roots. If everything is fine with watering, then the reason should be looked for in the lack / excess of sunlight or too hard water for irrigation.

What if the roots are rotten?

Falinopsis is distinguished by rare vitality. And even if for some reason the plant has lost its roots, it can be reanimated. There are two revitalization options available:

1. Greenhouse... Place the plant in a container in sphagnum moss (it must be pre-steamed). Keep at a temperature of + 22-27⁰С, and an air humidity of 80-100% until roots appear.
2. Regular watering / drying... The orchid is placed in a deep glass vessel. Soft water (filtered or boiled) is poured there daily. Only the socket is filled. After 5-6 hours, the water is drained, and the orchid remains dry for 10-12 hours. Then the procedure is repeated.

What to do with phalaenopsis immediately after purchase

After bringing home a new Phalaenopsis orchid from the store, immediately provide it with proper home care.

1. First of all, it is necessary to transplant phalaenopsis, since the manufacturer often lays a kind of "pillow" of pressed moss, foam rubber or peat inside the pot. This significantly waterlogs the neck from below and causes rotting of the roots inside the pot.
2. Also, when caring for a flower at home, you need to immediately determine the place: Phalaenopsis do not like moving. For them, new conditions are already serious stress. Place the transplanted plant in a well-lit, warm place and do not turn the pot unnecessarily. Try to remember how you placed the flower so that after watering, place it the same way.
3. By providing proper care, you can reduce stress to the plant. Epin and Zircon preparations also have an anti-stress effect.
4. Don't rush to water. The first time you need to do this with the help of a spill, carefully, along the edge of the pot. The remaining water from the planter must be drained immediately.
5. Top dressing should be started after a month.
6. If you have multiple orchids, the new plant should be quarantined. This is due to the fact that phalaenopsis can be infected with an infection or various parasites can be in the pot. During the first month, it is necessary to observe the plant, and only then put it to the rest of the collection.

Most novice flower growers think that this is a mix orchid, because this flower variety is gaining more and more popularity today. Phalaenopsis mix is ​​an evergreen plant that is unusually beautiful and blooms for a long time. The exquisite flower is often used not only for interior decoration. Due to its long-term preservation of its freshness after cutting, it is used to compose various compositions, as well as bouquets.

The plant is an ideal option for hobbyists who have just started creating their indoor garden, since caring for the orchid mix is ​​quite simple. The main thing is to know her preferences, control the lighting, water in a timely manner, then the plant will delight with its beauty three times a year.

How to propagate?

The most optimal way of reproduction is transplantation with lateral processes ("children"):

1. wait until the roots appear on the "kids";
2. carefully cut off the branch from the main shoot with a sharp blade;
3. put it in a small container.

Caring for a small shoot is no different from caring for an adult orchid.