Orchid is considered to be one of the most beautiful, refined and luxurious creations of the plant world. Recently, this plant, lushly blooming with bright yellow, white, red, purple, violet or even green flowers, has been successfully grown at home. A great variety of orchid species is known, which differ in form, color of buds, size, color of leaves and other biological parameters.
In this article, we will not consider any specific varieties of these tropical plants, but rather talk about how any orchid is grown in a city apartment. And caring for her will not seem too complicated to you thanks to our recommendations and advice. We hope you manage to grow a healthy and beautiful ornamental plant.
Beautiful orchid and care after purchase
In general terms, all known varieties of orchids can be classified into two groups - plants growing in the ground, and flowers attached to trees (epiphytes). Almost all indoor "beauties" are epiphytes, with the exception of cymbidium and slipper. If you are just thinking about buying and don’t know how to choose a healthy plant, go to a good flower shop. Pay attention to the roots of the plants sold: healthy should be silver-gray or green, and not brown. As a rule, all orchids are sold in transparent plastic pots, so it will not be difficult to examine the root system of the specimens. Having bought an orchid and bringing it home, quarantine it for a month. This measure will protect other indoor plants from possible infection. It is also advisable to treat the "newbie" with drugs from pests and diseases.
Orchid and its care: lighting and watering
Any orchids - phalaenopsis, cymbidiums, cattleya - like diffused light, so it is advisable to highlight a well-lit place for their cultivation. The main thing is not to expose these exotic flowers to direct sunlight. They need at least 10 hours a day of light exposure, so in winter it is recommended to light up the plants with special lamps. A young orchid specimen requires at least 16 hours of light daily. You can understand if your plant has enough light by its leaves - if they become too soft and elongated or change the color intensity - the flower definitely does not have enough light.
A white orchid is very capricious : caring for a plant implies not only good lighting, but also the establishment of the necessary temperature regime. Of course, each species has its own most favorable temperature range, but you will not go wrong and do no harm to your plant by maintaining +20 ... + 25 ° C in the summer and not lower than +17 ° C in the winter. Also, for flowering, the plant needs a difference between day and night temperatures of 2 or 3 ° C. In no case should you expose the orchid to abrupt changes in climatic conditions, the plant may die. Orchids love regular watering with soft, settled and warm water. You can use filtered water. Moisturizing the orchid should be plentiful, the substrate in the pot should always be moderately moist. You can moisten the plant by immersing the pot in a pan with water.
Orchid and its care: spraying
These beautiful plants adore high humidity. Therefore, proper care of orchids implies their constant spraying. When carrying out this procedure, several conditions must be observed. You can not spray a flower located in the sun; Water droplets must not be allowed to fall on the peduncles, otherwise the buds may fall. For the procedure, it is advisable to allocate time in the morning, remember that evening spraying is not recommended. If orchid care is carried out competently, your plant will have a healthy appearance, grow actively and produce peduncles. Under favorable conditions, the plant can bloom twice a year and delight you with its luxurious and elegant flowers. We advise you to be very responsible for spraying, watering and maintaining the temperature necessary for the plant.