Orchid ... We have associated this word with something tall, beautiful and, unfortunately, very capricious. But this is not the case.
If you follow all the rules of care, you will be able to grow a beautiful orchid that will become the pride and highlight of any flower collection.
The article will tell the secrets of growing phalaenopsis, more precisely one of its species - Lyodoro orchids.
Detailed description
Flowers in this species grow small - up to 8 centimeters in diameter. The hue of the blooming buds can be the most diverse: yellow, pink and even purple. Liodoro's petals are not at all like “blooming butterflies”, but resemble a five-pointed star. A special feature of these flowers is the sweet aroma present.
Flower arrows of medium size - about half a meter. On one peduncle can bloom about five colors. The leaves are dark green in color, very dense and fleshy. Usually reach a length of 25 centimeters, and in width - 11.
A photo
Below you will see a photo of this plant:
History of
For the first time this type of orchid was registered in the late nineteenth century - in 1892. Made it the American company "Orchid Universal". The author is considered the breeder Rex Smith. During its existence, Liodoro received more than three dozen awards at international competitions.
What is the difference from other species?
All its exclusivity lies in the flowering method. The buds bloom only one by one: as soon as one starts to wither, it means that the time comes for a new flower to appear. For this ability Lyodoro nicknamed "Revolving."
Bloom
When and how?
At home, this orchid can bloom at any time of the year. The main condition is proper care and nutrition. Duration of flowering can reach two years. The number of peduncles is usually two. If there is only one peduncle, or only one bud has blossomed on it, you should think about loyalty to care and change something in it.
Important! During flowering is not recommended to rearrange the pot with a plant from place to place. This can provoke a stressful situation and lead to a sharp drop in the buds.
Care before and after
Before flowering, the grower must adhere to the basic principles of cultivation, which we will write in detail below. But after the faded buds have fallen, it is necessary to observe the peduncles. If they are green, you don’t need to touch them. But if the arrows began to dry, you need to wait for them to completely dry out, and then cut them off. Place cuts do not forget to process cinnamon or crushed coal.
It will also be good to arrange a rest period for the plant so that it has the opportunity to gain strength for the new flowering. Do not get involved in continuous flowering, as this process greatly weakens the orchid and reduces its protective function.
What if it does not bloom?
Pay attention to the age of the plant. If he is still less than one and a half years old, then you should not wait, let alone stimulate the appearance of new flowers. Lyodoro must first get stronger herself, and then waste useful items on her offspring.
It is necessary to provide Phalaenopsis with a sufficient amount of diffused light. And the light should also fall on the underground part of the plant, so the pot should be transparent.
The air temperature during the day should be about 26-30 degrees above zero. And at night the air should be less heated - about 19-23 degrees.
Step-by-step care instructions
Choosing a place
Indoors should prefer east or west sides. As the sun shines there most of the time, but not so much. If there is no place on these sides, you can put it on any other. But in this case, on the south side you will have to tidy up the orchid a bit during the hours of the scorching sun. But on the north side, on the contrary, additional light will be needed.
Important! For additional lighting can not use conventional incandescent bulbs, because most often they burn the plant with its heat.
Do not forget about the fresh air. It is necessary to regularly air the room. But do it in such a way that no drafts are formed.
Selection of soil and pot
The best option for a novice grower, as well as for those who have little free time, will be to buy a ready-made substrate for the Orchid family. It already contains all the necessary components that will ensure good air and water flow.
However, if the florist wants to prepare the soil by himself, he will need to prepare the following "ingredients":
- peat;
- sphagnum moss;
- bark of pine or spruce;
- river sand.
These components must be taken in equal proportions. When planting you need to remember about the drainage layer. The pot should be transparent and always smooth. For the first landing will go pot with a diameter of 10-12 centimeters.
Temperature
The orchid lives in the tropics, therefore, it also needs to be warm at home. In the summer, it is necessary to maintain the temperature at 22-26 degrees. But in the winter, you can reduce the temperature to 20-24 degrees Celsius.
Humidity
To ensure a normal level of air humidity, need every three days to spray and orchid, and the air around it. But you need to do this carefully so that water does not get on the sheet outlet. To keep the air humid all the time, you can put a container with water near the flowerpot.
Lighting
In order for an orchid to develop normally and bloom long and abundantly, it must provide a lot of light. Lighting should be at least 10 hours per day. In winter, this condition is not easy to maintain, so you will need to use artificial lighting. It is advisable to use special fitolamps for unnatural lighting. They will not harm the plant, unlike simple incandescent bulbs.
Watering
The time of soil moistening depends on the condition of the soil and the root system. Dry roots should be a silvery shade. The soil should stand in a dry state for a couple of days.
You can water the orchid in two ways: immersion or shower. With the help of immersion you can not only moisten the soil, but also feed the flower with additional trace elements. And with the help of the shower, you can also wash the entire surface of the plant. It is important to ensure that the ground is not overgrown with moss.
Top dressing
The most important components that should be included in the composition of fertilizers are potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. But to prepare a balanced dressing alone is very difficult. Therefore, already experienced growers recommend to buy a ready-made complex, designed specifically for Orchids. It is necessary to fertilize twice a month during the active growth of the plant. During the flowering period, fertilizing is generally not used. During the period of rest, Liodoro is fed once a month.
Transfer
This procedure is carried out no more than once every two to three years. Flowerpot choose a couple of centimeters more compared with the previous one. they change not only the pot, but also the soil. During transplantation, inspect the root system and remove dry or rotten areas.
Important! Do not forget to handle the cut cinnamon.
How to multiply?
The simplest method of breeding orchids at home is the separation of children. This is a process that appears on the peduncle after the buds fall. As soon as the baby has roots and the first leaves, it can be separated from the mother plant and planted in a separate pot. The care of the process is the same as for an adult plant. The only point is to provide greenhouse conditions for the first two weeks after transplantation.
Diseases and pests
In 99% of cases, problems with an orchid are solved by isolating the affected plant, examining it and removing diseased areas. Then change the soil, and the entire surface of the plant is treated with insecticidal preparations. Carry out processing two or three times, while observing a break of about a week. Along with spraying, you also need to revise the care points for your beauty. Exactly improper care causes disease and pest attacks.
Prevention of various problems
Any living creature loves attention to itself. Lyodoro Orchid is no exception. Only a full and competent care can be a guarantee of growth, development, abundant and long-flowering plants. After letting the Orchids grow by chance, the florist risks remaining without her beauty.
