In order to successfully grow an orchid at home and regularly admire its beautiful flowers, it is necessary to know a lot about the plant as a whole and about its peduncle in particular, because it is thanks to him that the orchid is so attractive, beautiful and has so many fans.
In our article we will tell how to distinguish the peduncle from the root or other parts of the orchid, as well as what home care is needed for the plant during the period of arrow growth.
Definition
The peduncle is an shoot running upwards from the base of the phalaenopsis, forming a tall curved spike. It is on this arrow that orchids will eventually grow flowers.
Description with photo
The peduncle of this orchid has a sharp tip and a shape resembling a closed beak. It grows from the neck in the center of the leaf and stretches only upwards. Further on the photo you can see what the flowering arrow looks like at the plant.
How to distinguish from the root or other parts of the orchid?
When phalaenopsis only begins to develop a spike, it can be taken as the root or even the baby of the plant, so you need to know how they differ from each other. From the root it can be distinguished by the following features:
- it is necessary to carefully examine the place where the tumor has appeared and determine its location relative to the point of growth - if it grows from the stem and is located on the root neck between the leaves - this is not a peduncle, but an air root;
- the arrow always grows upwards, while the roots are slightly inclined downwards;
- root color is greenish-gray and bright green at the tips, the arrow is monotonous along the entire length;
- root is smooth, and peduncle divide small scales;
- peduncles have a sharp tip, and at the roots it is rounded and dull.
Differences of peduncle from basal babies:
- after the baby grows up a bit, its tip will resemble a boat in shape;
- peduncle grows only from the base of the central vein of the leaf, and the baby, as a rule, just above the place of the previous flowering.
We offer to watch a video on how to distinguish the peduncle from the phalaenopsis root:
Importance for orchids
Peduncle - one of the most important parts of the orchid. It is thanks to him that the plant is so beautiful, because flowers appear on it.
In addition, the tip that grows on the stem of each phalaenopsis is a kind of indicator of the health and good development of the flower, because while it is alive and green and there are no problems with it, the orchid continues to grow and form new buds.
Features of care in the period of growth
The growth period of the peduncle is a very important moment in the life of an orchid, when it is especially important to provide her with good care.
- It is necessary to provide the plant with good lighting. Light day for phalaenopsis, which released the escape, must be at least 12 hours. In autumn and winter, you need to put a pot with orchid on the window sill on the south side of the room, and if this is not possible, you should use the fitolamp for additional lighting.
- Humidity needs to be maintained at an optimum level. To do this, you can use a humidifier or put a container with water next to the orchid. This is especially important in winter when the air in the room is too dry.
- It is necessary to feed the plant with fertilizers, which contain a lot of phosphorus and potassium from the moment the flower spike just started to form and before the flowers appear on it. After the appearance of the flowers, fertilizing should be suspended, since this does not increase the flowering pomp, but can provoke a reset of flowers.
- Watering is done normally. - as the soil dries. Regularity is individual for each specific case, as it depends on temperature and air humidity. It does not need direct spraying of Phalaenopsis with regrown peduncle, rather it will destroy the sprout. It is enough to put a pot with orchid between other plants during their spraying and she will have enough moisture.
Important! In no case can not bring the soil in the pot to a completely dry state.
Phalaenopsis care videos during peduncle growth:
Formation period
How fast is formed?
Consider how long the peduncle grows in a phalaenopsis room orchid. The average time of its formation in the usual phalaenopsis is two months, in the hybrid one it is three. That is how much time must pass after the appearance of the stem before the peduncle is fully formed. If the plant is in comfortable for him temperature conditions, receives the necessary amount of light and moisture, then this time will decrease by 1.5-2 times.
The lateral peduncle develops faster - in about 1.5 months.
How many arrows does it release?
Phalaenopsis is most common, having 2-3 peduncles, but there are also specimens with a large number of flowering shoots. At home, the number of arrows depends on the type of phalaenopsis, its health and the care provided.
The number of buds in an orchid increases in extreme conditions, for example due to temperature changes, drought or unusually large amounts of light.
How to grow?
How to grow a flower spike? In order to grow it, it is first of all necessary to make sure that the neoplasm on phalaenopsis is actually an arrow. If this is the case, then it is necessary to wait until it reaches a length of 15-20 cm and fix it in an upright position, tied to a support in a flowerpot.
It is best to use a special clothespin for this, which can be purchased at any flower shop, but you can also use a regular hair band or a small hair clip. When if the peduncle is not tied to the support, it is necessary to simply turn the pot with the orchid relative to the light.
Step-by-step instruction: what to do in a certain situation?
Consider what to do if the flower stalk, which grows from a growing point, has broken or other possible cases:
- Grows from a growth point. This happens if phalaenopsis has already experienced many flowering cycles or has been very stressed. In this case, you do not need to take any action, you just have to take care of the plant and, possibly, buds or children will appear on the arrow.
- Has broken. In this case, you need to cut the peduncle to the kidney, which is located closest to the fracture site and treat the cut point with crushed activated charcoal, wood ash, or cinnamon powder.
Important! You can not try to glue or in any other way to connect the wreckage - it only hurts the flower.
- Not at all. It is possible to stimulate the pasture of the peduncle by arranging a small stressful situation for the plant. To do this, for example, it is possible to slightly restrict the access of light to a flower or to water it less often. Of course, it is impossible to bring to complete drought. If possible, you can lower the temperature of the air at night by 5-6 degrees.
- Stopped his growth. To start from the list of possible causes, it is necessary to exclude the disease or the presence of pests. Making sure that the flower is healthy, you should once again review the care of the plant and make sure that it has enough nutrients and moisture, enough light, and the temperature and humidity levels are comfortable. If phalaenopsis is not sick and the conditions of detention are suitable for it, but the flower is still not growing, it remains only to wait - if the arrow has not dried, the orchid can still bloom.
What to do after flowering?
How to deal with flowering shoots after flowering orchids depends on its condition.
- If after the blooming of the orchid the peduncle has turned yellow and dried, it should be cut at the base and powder with a cut of powdered cinnamon, crushed with activated charcoal or wood ash.
- If only the apical bud dries out, it is better to cut the branch with it to the first lower bud.
- If the peduncle is intact, it has a green tip and dormant buds, then nothing should be done - after a while new flowers may appear on it.
We offer to watch a video on what to do with a flower stem after the orchid has blossomed:
Peduncle is very important for phalaenopsis, therefore, during the period of its growth, it is necessary to take particular care of the plant, and in case of problems, to be able to solve them correctly.
