There are heat-loving and cold-loving orchids, but they all have one thing in common - the need for proper winter care. Below you can find information about 15 useful tips:
- Regardless of the season, they need fresh air, but they do not like drafts.
- Usually it is placed on the windowsill, where it feels great. For heat-loving orchids, a foam pillow will not be superfluous.
- These light-loving plants like to have a lot of light at all times, and therefore, in the winter, they need to organize additional lighting with the help of fluorescent lamps. As practice shows, this makes it possible for her to develop normally and even bloom in winter.
- In severe frosts, it is advisable to remove orchids from the windowsill or install a protective fence made of a piece of foam.
- "Cattleyas" do not develop in winter and therefore they do not need to be humidified, but the air humidity should be optimal.
- It is strictly forbidden to spray all orchids without exception in winter, otherwise they may die. If there is such a need for this (after chemical treatment), then the water should be hot and, during this procedure, it is necessary to control so that the liquid does not remain in the axils of the plants.
- In winter, the required temperature regime is maintained - 18-24 degrees. For these purposes, many growers use various transparent packaging with which they cover their plants.
- It is not necessary to water orchids in winter, but they need to be “bathed”. To do this, they are transferred to the shower and poured with warm water. After that, the orchids can be left in the shower overnight, and in the morning they can be transferred to the room for a couple of hours. Then they can be put in their permanent place. Almost all types of orchids like “bathing” - except for “precious” ones.
- The approach to caring for them should be like this: "The lower the temperature in the room, the less often they need watering."
- In winter, the concentration of feeding is reduced by four times. But it is not recommended to leave orchids without feeding for the winter.
- Transplantation during this period is possible only in case of plant disease, if the plant is healthy, then it is better not to touch it.
- For this time, it is better to stock up on a humidifier, since the heating system reduces the air humidity in the room by 50%. They suffer greatly from this: the leaves can turn yellow and fall off, young leaves turn into tubes, and the root system stops growing altogether.
- In this case, you can solve the problem of humidification in a cheaper and more affordable way. To do this, you need to purchase transparent pallets, large pebbles are poured onto the bottom of the pallets and water is poured. A lattice is installed on top, and flower pots are placed on the lattice.
- With increased dryness of the air, orchids may be damaged by a pest - a spider mite. As a result, the damaged plants will have to be treated with anti-mite drugs. It should be remembered that they are dangerous to human health.
Orchid species
There are seven main hybrid orchid species for indoor cultivation:
- Phalaenopsis orchid. It does not require special care, is easy to maintain and is capable of developing and blooming on windowsills of any orientation: north, west, south or east.This plant has a wide range of shades and is popularly called the “butterfly orchid.
- Orchid Wanda. From the point of view of many amateur gardeners, this orchid is the queen of orchids. First of all, its appearance will surprise - it grows with an almost bare root system.
- Cattleya's orchid. A very spectacular plant with large fragrant flowers with a wide range of shades: from white to bright red, and even purple. A very capricious flower that is difficult to grow and maintain without knowing the intricacies of caring for this plant.
- Cymbidium Orchid. It can be both tall and miniature. The flowers of this orchid retain their fresh look for a long time, therefore they are often used in creating bouquets. Unfortunately, it practically does not bloom in indoor conditions.
- Dendrobium Orchid... An equally exotic plant that feels good on the windowsill. Dendrobium Nobile and Dendrobium Phalaenopsis can be purchased on sale. They are similar, but differ in the way they care.
- Cumbria Orchid. Cumbria is a trademark for a particular type of orchid. She does not have her own name, since many species of one oncidium group took part in obtaining this hybrid. This type of orchid was bred principally for breeding indoors.
- Orchid Pafioledilum. This species is also called "Lady's slipper". It is not demanding to care for and can grow on windowsills oriented in any direction. A very peculiar, pleasing to the eye flower.
