Orchids are becoming more and more popular with amateur gardeners every day. Their shapes and colors are amazing, and recently blue orchids have appeared on the shelves of our stores. Many doubt: does such a plant exist in nature?
A blue orchid, belonging to the genus Wanda, grows in the tropics. These plants are epiphytes (attached to the bark of trees and other supports). This genus includes about 60 species. Orchid Wanda has a cylindrical stem covered with tapered or valky leathery green leaves. It has strongly developed greenish-gray roots. Blue orchids of this genus can be multi- and low-flowering. Inflorescences are axillary, racemose. Vanda orchid flowers come in different sizes. In some species, they are up to 15 cm in diameter. The graceful flowers of these orchids can be painted in a variety of shades of blue, blue, purple, yellow, white, red, pink. In different species, they are variegated or monophonic. Only some types of Wanda orchids have a strong aroma. These include fragrant orchids that have a magnificent smell.
Most suitable for indoor cultivation is the blue Vanda orchid. This is an epiphytic plant with a straight stalk up to 1 m high. Belt-shaped leaves with an oblique toothed apex are arranged in 2 rows. The flower of the brush is erect, friable, located on an elongated peduncle. In them there are from 6 to 15 flowers. They reach 10 cm in diameter, have a lavender-blue color. Often there are specimens with a dark blue mesh pattern. Petals and sepals broadly or scapular-obovate, tapering at the base. The lip of the flower is smaller than its other parts, has a more intense color. This species blooms from October to December.
Blue Wanda orchid requires special care. It is light and heat-loving, very demanding on atmospheric humidity. The most optimal temperature is + 22-25 ° C. The indoor air must have a humidity of at least 70%. In this case, it must constantly circulate, otherwise the aerial roots of the orchid will be affected by rot. Lighting should be good (but not direct sunlight). Orchid cultivation may require additional lighting in the winter. The night temperature should not be less than + 12 ° C. For the flowering of Wanda, the fluctuation of the night and day temperatures within 4-5 ° C is mandatory.
For growing Wanda, a substrate is used from a mixture of bark, sand, coal, moss, expanded clay, cork and perlite. Garden land is not suitable for its cultivation. It is better to buy a finished substrate in the store. Experienced gardeners sometimes grow orchids without any substrate at all. Blue Wanda Orchid grows well in baskets, nets and wire planters. To create the desired humidity, use a container filled with water. Suitable for this purpose and special humidifiers.
Water the flowers should be warm soft water. It should not stagnate, as this leads to root rot. During the growth period, orchids are watered more often and more abundantly (1 p. In 3 days). During the period of relative winter rest, watering is reduced. A container with a flower is immersed in water for 10-15 minutes. Or watered from a watering can with a nozzle, like a shower. Water should drain completely from the tank.
Top dressing is done during the period of growth and flowering. Special fertilizers are intended for this. They are added to water when watering. Fertilizers are applied every 2 weeks.
Propagating orchids at home is extremely difficult. Most often they use the vegetative method (division). Wands are propagated by cuttings and shoots. For this purpose, cut off the top of the stem (half of the entire length) having aerial roots. The cut is treated with crushed coal. A segment of the stem is planted in a substrate, left in a warm, shaded place until it takes root. It is sprayed daily with water. At this time, the plant is not watered.
On sale there is also another type of orchid having a bright blue color of flowers - phalaenopsis. This native of Southeast Asia is relatively undemanding in care. The blue "phalaenopsis mix", the care of which is practically no different from other types of orchids, is most likely a successful marketing move by manufacturers of indoor flowers than the fruit of the work of breeders. In nature, such shades of this species of plants were not found. It is noticed that such orchids (if they live up to 3-4 years), with each subsequent flowering, become whiter and whiter. Apparently, white phalaenopsis is grown on special coloring substances (as has been done with other types of flowers for many years), which are later removed from the plant, and it acquires its true, natural color.