The Cumbria Orchid is an artificially bred hybrid, for the creation of which varieties such as Miltonia, Odontoglossum and Brassia were used. It is rather not a natural type of orchids, but a kind of generalized name for several different varieties. Perfect for growing at home. What is the peculiarity of this variety of orchids, what are the requirements for care, how to make a transplant correctly?
Botanical description and description of this plant species.
Cambria (Cambria) belongs to the Orchid family, it belongs to a simpoidal type of orchids (that is, flowers bloom only from new pseudobulbs, the old ones shrivel over time and become unsuitable for flowering). Also, this plant has a different name, which is more common among the people - "Orchid Star". It has pseudobulbs up to 8 cm in size, on which grow long sheets of dark green color. Several pseudobulbs may be located on one stem.
Flowers reach 10-12 cm in diameter, have a color of shades of red, purple, yellow, covered with small bright specks. The middle of the flowers are bright yellow. Petals have an uneven, slightly curved outward shape, resemble a starfish.
When buying Cumbria in a store, you should choose a plant that has at least two pseudobulbs. The flowering period can begin and repeat several times. at any time of the year, lasts up to 2 months. Before its onset, Cambria should be watered in very moderate volumes. After the orchid blooms, it is necessary to cut the dry flower and moisten the soil more abundantly. When new pseudobulbs appear, watering should be stopped for about 20-25 days.
One growth cycle of this plant lasts approximately 9 months.
At some point, Cumbria may stop blooming for a long period. Usually this phenomenon is caused by an excess of moisture in the soil. To eliminate this problem, the number of irrigation procedures should be significantly reduced.
A photo
You will see a photo of a Cambria flower:
History of
Cumbria was brought under laboratory conditions by an English breeder C. Velsteyke in 1891. For this, he took the best features from other species: a pleasant smell from Miltonia, a beautiful and bright color from Beallar, a large size of flowers from Odontoglossum. Further Velsteyk improved Cumbria and registered its name in the 20s of the 20th century.
One of the subports of Cumbria is named after this breeder. Cumbria differs from other orchid varieties by its weak and poorly developed root system. and the fact that she has a pseudobulb. The roots of this flower are fragile and easily broken, so when transplanting them should be treated with particular care. Also, this plant can not be grown in transparent containers (it is better to choose pots from plastic or ceramics) and you do not need to wait until the soil is completely dry before the next irrigation procedure.
Suborts and their names
The most common varieties are:
- Burragere;
- Plush;
- Anna Claire;
- Colemanara;
- Kalanta;
- Eurostar;
- Miltonidium;
- Degarmoara;
- Beallar;
- Bartley Schwarz;
- Purple Princess;
- Favorite.
Necessary care at home
Cumbria hybrids are designed specifically for home maintenance and care.In the wild, this species does not occur. How to care for a flower?
- This plant prefers a temperature regime in the range from 17 to 26 degrees. In cooler environments, it develops better and faster.
- Cumbria is a light-loving flower, it requires diffuse natural lighting. Scorching direct sunlight can cause foliage burns, causing brown spots to appear on it.
- Do not change the location of the plant. It is best to put a pot of Cumbria on the windowsill on the west side.
- The plant does not need pruning and shaping.
- Cumbria should be protected from drafts and sudden changes in temperature, as this can cause frostbite of young shoots.
- Humidity should be high, as the natural for the flower is a subtropical climate. Avoid proximity to central heating radiators, as too dry air can cause the plant to wilt.
- Green leaves should be regularly cleaned with a damp towel and prevent them from caking dust.
- Cumbria needs regular feeding with a special complex developed for orchids and supplying the soil with mineral fertilizers. You should not use drugs in pure form, their weak solution is better suited. You can also add a small dose of fertilizer to the leaf spray liquid. During the winter period, fertilizing must be completely abandoned, because at this time of the year Cumbria poorly assimilates chemical fertilizers.
Watering features
The soil in which this flower grows can not be too much wetting. This is the case when the substrate is better to dry out than to fill with more water than necessary. Otherwise, the irreversible process of rotting of the root system will begin, which will lead to the death of the plant.
Water should be at room temperature., cleaned, without harmful impurities of scale and chlorine. You can use rain or melt water.
The most appropriate and effective way to perform the irrigation procedure: put the pot in a deep container with water so that the liquid does not reach its edges and does not cover the soil. Leave on for 20-25 minutes. During this time, the plant will independently take the amount of moisture it needs through the holes at the bottom of the pot. Water should not fall on the pseudobulb. Repeat the irrigation procedure should be every 7-12 days.
Breeding
This plant is propagated by dividing the rhizome into several parts. Spring is considered the most suitable season for this, since during this period Cumbria has a phase of intensive growth and vegetation.
- To obtain a new process, one should carefully, so as not to damage the very sensitive roots of the plant, cut off the pseudobulbs with a sharp knife or shears at a 90 degree angle.
- The cut must be treated with charcoal to prevent rotting due to the ingress of excessive moisture into the stems.
- The resulting young plant should be placed in a small pot with fertile soil in order to strengthen and develop the roots.
Transfer
Replant the plant only as a last resort., as it does not tolerate a change in the growing environment. Every few years Cumbria should be transplanted into a larger container due to the growth of the root system. The most suitable time for this procedure is considered the period after the plant has faded.
- To begin with, the plant is released from the soil and washed with warm water.
- The soil should be sandy and enriched with oxygen. You can buy a special soil for orchids in the store.
- The bottom of the pot should be covered with a layer of bark, which will act as a drainage.
- When planting can not be immersed in the ground pseudobulb, as this will prevent further growth Cumbria.
Combating diseases and various pests
Due to improper home care, Cambria can be exposed to various diseases and insect attacks. The most common problems in growing Cumbria:
- Defeat fungus. To remedy the situation, remove the affected shoots and treat the cut sites with charcoal. Next, be sure to transplant the flower in a new soil and pot to avoid re-infection.
- Yellowing Cumbria. One of the signs of a strong overmoistening of the soil. In order to get rid of this disease, you need to remove the plant from the soil and leave for some time to dry the stems and rhizomes. Next, you need to transplant a flower in a new ground. Also, yellowing may indicate the need for fertilizing with mineral fertilizers.
- Lethargy leaves. Indicates a too high temperature environment.
- Rotting roots. This process begins due to over-irrigation or too frequent fertilizing. To save the plant, you need to remove the affected roots, and the rest placed in the new soil, as during reproduction. It is worth considering that such a Cumbria will develop and recover much longer than a healthy flower.
- White plaque on the stems. Appears due to excessive salt content in the soil. It should be transplanted to another soil and carefully monitor the quality of water for irrigation.
Possible pests:
- Spider mite Through the holes in the leaves of the plant feed on its juice, which causes a complete discharge of foliage. To combat this pest, you need to spray acaricides in Cumbria.
- Whitefly. To prevent its occurrence, you should regularly wipe the leaves of the plant with a cloth moistened with a concentrated solution of soap.
- Shchitovka. Insects need to be cleaned with a cloth dipped in a kerosene-soap emulsion.
- Mealybug. If you grow several orchids, you should isolate the affected flower from the rest. Treat with a solution of Tsvetofos or Dejecis. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times.
Cumbria is an excellent option for orchid breeding at home. She is not too demanding to care and, subject to simple recommendations, even a beginner and inexperienced florist will cope with its cultivation. Cumbria favorably with its bright and pleasant aroma, as well as the beauty and variety of shades of flowers.
