Makodes (Macodes) - precious orchid, is a representative of the Orchid family. The homeland of makodes is the hot and humid tropical forests of the islands of the Malay Archipelago, Oceania, New Guinea, and the Philippines.
Literally translated from Greek, the name of the plant means "length". This word was used to describe the structure of the flower lip.
Makodes is classified as a precious type of orchid due to its highly decorative leaves, velvety to the touch with an intricate vein pattern. Such orchids in the wild lead an epiphytic or terrestrial lifestyle. Orchid leaves are so beautiful that they seem to be laced with veins of precious metal - silver or gold. There are also leaves with veins of shades of red copper or bronze. The color of the leaves is green, brown, olive and even black. The combination of shades of leaves and veins creates a spectacular houseplant. Makodes blooms with small nondescript flowers collected on a peduncle.
Caring for makodes at home
Location and lighting
Makodes does not tolerate bright sunlight. From them significant burns appear on the precious leaves. The orchid will feel best in a darkened place. In winter, when daylight hours are short, the Makodes needs additional lighting. To do this, the plant must be placed under a fluorescent lamp and the daylight hours must be extended to 14 hours a day.
Temperature
The daytime air temperature for optimal growth and development of makodes should vary from 22 to 25 degrees. This rule applies to both cold and warm seasons. At night, the temperature should not drop below 18 degrees. The leaves are very sensitive to temperature extremes. Too low a temperature leads to the fact that an unusual burgundy shade appears on the leaves.
Air humidity
Makodes originated from the rainforest, which never lacks moisture. Therefore, the optimal level of air humidity for a plant varies between 80-90% and should not fall below. If this happens, then the orchid will begin to slow down growth, lose the decorative color of the leaves. A wonderful place for growing makodes is the florarium.
The orchid can be regularly sprayed with a spray bottle that will create a fine spray. Water for such a procedure must be distilled or settled, not lower than room temperature. It is important that the water is not hard, as sediment may remain on the leaves.
In the spring-summer period, makodes is in a herd of active growth and development, therefore, during this period, the flower will be grateful for the arranged warm shower with a water temperature of 35 degrees. After the procedure, the leaves of makodes are wiped with a soft napkin or rag, and only after they have completely dried, the plant is transferred to the room.
Watering
Makodes needs regular abundant watering throughout the year.The soil in the pot should not dry out, since the orchid is very sensitive to drought. But it is also not worth arranging a swamp in a pot, since this is fraught with rotting of the root system. The bottom irrigation method is best, for which soft, settled water at room temperature is used. It is important that no water gets into the leaf axils when watering, otherwise the plant may begin to rot.
If the temperature in the room is below 18 degrees, then it is better to wait with watering at this time. At such a low temperature, the roots of the plant do not take water from the soil, but begin to rot. Therefore, first it is worth raising the ambient temperature in the room and only after that water the plant.
The soil
The soil must be nutritious. The optimal soil for makodes consists of peat, leafy soil, charcoal, chopped fern roots, and small pieces of pine bark. You can put sphagnum moss on top. The substrate can be made by yourself or you can buy it ready for orchids at a flower shop.
Top dressing and fertilizers
It is necessary to feed the precious makodes orchid only during the period of active growth and flowering about 1 time per month. Orchid fertilizers can be used as top dressing. If there is an excess of fertilizers in the soil, the leaves will lose their beauty and decorative color.
Transfer
Makodes are transplanted as needed immediately after flowering is complete. If the roots of the plant are completely entwined with an earthen ball, then such an orchid needs to be transplanted into a wider pot. After transplanting, Makodes is placed in a warm, lighted place with a high level of air humidity, thus helping to better adapt to new conditions.
Dormant period
For makodes grown outdoors, the dormant period begins in October and ends in February. If makodes grows in a greenhouse or is under fluorescent lamps all year round, then such a plant does not have a dormant period. At the onset of a dormant period, Makodes must be kept at an air temperature of 18 to 20 degrees.
Reproduction of makodes
Makodes can be propagated in the following ways: cuttings, dividing the rhizome, stem segments.
Cuttings makodes can be propagated throughout the growing season. The cut of the cutting is sprinkled with activated charcoal, dried and planted in wet sphagnum moss. To deepen the cutting is necessary at the very base of the leaf. It is important not to miss the depth of the leaf itself on the handle.
When makodes is propagated by stem segments, they are also rooted in sphagnum. If the method of dividing the rhizome is chosen, then at least 3 shoots should be left.
Diseases and pests
Among the pests of the precious orchid, the most common are the whitefly, mealybug, scale insect, spider mite.
Popular types of makodes
Makodes petola - a precious orchid with wide ovoid leaves, velvety to the touch of a rich emerald color. The veins on the leaves are golden in color, shimmer in the sun. Creeping shoots, fleshy, rhizome reaches 5 cm in diameter. The width of the leaves is about 5 cm, the length varies from 6 to 8 cm. Flowers, like other types of precious orchids, are small, collected in inflorescences in the form of a cyst, up to 15 pieces. Shades of colors are red with an admixture of brown. The peduncle can reach about 20-25 cm in height.
Hello! Help disappears .. What to do?