Orchids belong to the Orchid family - the largest of the monocotyledonous families, which includes almost a tenth of all the world's plants. This family is quite old, since the first representatives were found in the layers of the Late Cretaceous era. Orchids have not been found only in Antarctica, but they grow everywhere, where there are conditions necessary for their habitation. Most species prefer the tropics.
The word orchis, which gave the name to the flower, is translated from Greek as an egg. The famous member of the Orchid family is Vanilla planifolia, the pods of which give the aromatic spice vanilla.
Most of the species are epiphytes. Orchids lack the main acquisition of flowering plants - a double fertilization process. Some species can grow up to two meters, while others are dwarf.
The orchid lifestyle is quite peculiar. Many tropical species live in trees that support them and help them fight for light. Others have chosen steep cliffs, launching roots into cracks and crevices - the remains of plants and water accumulate there. There are also underground representatives of the family who never see the sun, and their flowers are pollinated by underground insects.
The beauty of orchids has long haunted people. She was associated with vice and enveloped in the mystery of many legends. Even today, superstitions are alive that somewhere in the tropical jungle, predatory orchids grow, feeding not only on animals, but also attacking the human race. In reality, predatory flowers exist, but they feed on midges and small spiders caught in their flowers.
Proper care of an orchid at home
It is widely believed that orchids are very finicky and capricious at home. This is partly true, because the flower needs a fairly high humidity and does not tolerate dryness and dust. Even two or three spraying increases the moisture level only temporarily. It is optimal to grow these exquisite beauties in indoor greenhouses.
If you adhere to the general requirements for care, almost all species can be grown at home and achieved flowering without much difficulty. The main thing is not to forget that it is very important for a plant to observe a dormant period.
Location
An orchid should be determined for a place of residence on a sunny window or in a special aquarium, remembering the love of humid warm air. If the average daily temperature stays at around 15-16 degrees for a long time, this can cause untimely formation of flowers. Orchids are bred in containers made of clay or plastic, where there are several bottom holes, and preferably wall holes. While the plant is young and not yet matured, it is better to remove the peduncle.
Lighting
Orchids do well under fluorescent light. The lamp should be placed at a distance of 30 centimeters from the flower and the "solar" procedure should be carried out for about 12 hours. The sufficiency of light is determined in a practical way. If the plant has shortened internodes, and the leaves are strongly lowered or extended upwards, there is an excess of light rays.Small leaves, long and refined internodes are a disadvantage. The aquarium with flowers can be located in a warm, albeit dimly lit place.
Temperature
Orchids can be divided into three groups: heat-loving, medium-temperature and cold-loving. Depending on the type of orchid, it is necessary to correctly select the optimal temperature for the flower.
Heat-loving orchids prefer a temperature regime within: 15-32 degrees during the day, 15-18 degrees at night. Medium-temperature orchids thrive at a temperature of 18-22 degrees during the day and 12-15 degrees at night. Cold-loving orchids need a temperature of 22 degrees during the day and 12-15 degrees at night.
Important! Almost all types of orchids will grow well at average temperatures of 18-27 degrees during the day and 13-24 degrees at night.
Watering
Water the orchid flower with boiled settled water, spraying is carried out with melted or distilled water - hard water leaves salt deposits on the leaves, forming a whitish bloom over time. Top dressing can be done while watering.
Air humidity
Orchids love a high level of humidity, and in hot summer or in rooms where there is centralized winter heating, two or three spraying will be of little use. Orchids should be moistened from time to time for hygiene reasons. The plant is not sprayed if it is located in the sun, and during flowering, the procedure is carried out so that moisture does not get on the flowers.
It is best to do spraying in the morning or in the afternoon. At night, this can be done only when the flower is located not on the veranda or balcony, but in the room. That is, there is no risk that the temperature at night will drop significantly.
Well-humidified air is the main and very important criterion for keeping orchids at home. It is possible to increase the air humidity by breeding plants in special aquariums, indoor greenhouses and greenhouses. Also, a nearby terrarium with water or a regular aquarium with fish will be excellent humidifiers. It is a good idea to place the orchid on a pallet with pebbles and water. An alternative option can be a cat pot, then pebbles or stones will not be needed, they will be replaced by the lattice located there.
Transfer
If you just bought an orchid from a store, then you don't need to replant it right away. The flower is able to grow in its substrate for two years. An orchid needs an immediate transplant if sphagnum moss was used as a substrate in the store before.
How to properly transplant an orchid
Orchids and Feng Shui
Orchid flowers are believed to distract from everyday problems and help find spiritual Zen. Orchids help to cope with depression and inspire creative people. Dark red orchids drive away laziness and apathy.
I realized that all the problems people with phalaenopsis have when they fill them in. From here, rot, fungus, scale insects, and worms appear. If the air is very dry and hot (in summer on a sunny balcony), then a spider mite will appear, and all sorts of small burns, scratches, water stains are not terrible. And in general, do not be afraid to experiment with your flowers, add folk dressings (infusions from carrots, potato peels, onion peels) and Phalaenopsis will smile at you.
I didn't know how to care for a flower, thanks to this site I was able to extend its life
My orchids grew very poorly, rarely bloomed, until a consultant in the store advised a special liquid fertilizer for bait, after which my orchids simply healed with a new life.