Exotic orchids seem to us in flowers of improbable beauty, but we are afraid that it will be very difficult to look after them and a lot of time and efforts will be required. It not absolutely so. Modern hybrid pottery orchids, at observance of simple rules, will please you for long years.
- Transparent plastic pot
- Special substrate
- Diffused light
- High humidity
- Warm shower
1. Choose healthy plants. Those orchids which are on sale in flower shops and various supermarkets now generally belong to phalaenopsis (Phalaenopsis) – specially removed orchids adapted for the contents in house conditions. If you buy orchid, but do not receive as a gift, look narrowly at it attentively. Leaves at healthy plant elastic, bright green or with reddish shade. The dried, turned yellow leaves, speak about bad leaving and if you the beginning flower grower, you can not cope with restoration of plant. Leaves with black or brown spots, with web or mold testify to flower disease. Such plants also not for beginners. Orchids grow up in transparent pots. If the flower is packed into decorative cachepot it not only is harmful to it, but also does not allow you to consider flower roots well. Possibly to the seller is what to hide? Roots of healthy plant have to be firm and fleshy. Color fluctuates from light green, ideally, to dark green if the flower long time is "filled in" or silvery, whitish if the flower lacks moisture. The roots seeking "to escape" outside from pot demonstrate good health of plant.
2. The tropical orchid is adapted for temperature drops, but will hardly transfer severe frosts. Pack plant not only into paper, but also into plastic bag to create for it hothouse conditions so far it goes "home".
3. It is necessary to remember that under natural conditions orchids grow not in the earth, and clinging roots to trunks and branches of trees. They receive moisture from air and when they are watered by warm tropical rain, power supply from the decaying wood remains, bird's and animal dung. They have not got used to direct sunshine as they live in shadow of trees. The best place for flower will be about the window turned on the East or the West. She will be worse to feel like not much on windowsill of southwest and southeast windows. At northern window or far from natural lighting the flower will need either additional, or constant highlighting. At the southern window on the contrary it is necessary to apply shadowing during the period from May to September.
4. Orchids grow up in transparent pots with good drenazhy and in the special substrate consisting of wood bark, coir fiber, coal, stopper and moss. Such conditions emulate the native habitat for these flowers. You can place plastic pot with orchid in decorative cachepot from glass or in wicker baskets, but not in ceramic or pottery. Substrate has to fill entirely pot and hold flower in vertical position.
5. Watering is, perhaps, the most difficult part of care for these plants. Never water orchid from watering can, do not pour water into pallet and do not allow roots and in particular sheet funnel long time is in water. At low humidity the flowers demand additional spraying, but not watering. Orchids water only when substrate completely dries. Carry flower in bathtub and include warm shower. Water so far substrate will not become wet to the bottom. Switch off water and put pot on grid that excess water freely flew down for 10-15 minutes. Blot sheet funnel with paper towels. Water flower since morning or in the afternoon that by the night he has managed to dry. If the plant has not enough moisture, it signals the withering leaves if at orchid constant surplus of moisture, then roots of flower begin to decay. Humidity level is very important for orchids. During the autumn and winter period when long-distance heating is included, create constant source of humidity for flower. Gather in pallet of small stones, pebbles, decorative glass stones and pour water. You watch that water constantly evaporated, but did not reach pot with flower.
6. During blossoming the plant can be fertilized weekly, during dormant period – monthly. You will find wide choice of specially picked up fertilizers in flower shops.