These gorgeous flowers grow in the tropics. Their main place of growth is on the slopes of the mountains. Often they cling to the bark of trees with their roots. The variety of these attractive colors is very large. And it is not surprising that many lovers became fans of orchids.
Orchids
Today, flower growers distinguish many types of orchids that grow perfectly at home. It should be noted that some species of these plants are less whimsical than pelargoniums and violets.
Orchids - a flower that blooms brightly and luxuriantly for an extended period. And with proper care, this plant will delight owners with beauty for many years. And it is not surprising that in recent years orchids have been especially popular with gardeners.
So, an orchid has appeared in your house. This luxurious flower is quite unpretentious, but has its own characteristics. Therefore, it is imperative to familiarize yourself with them in order to achieve a good result.
The most important thing is proper plant care and competent fertilizer. And for this it is necessary to know how and how to feed the orchid.
Important information
An orchid has appeared in your house. You know that every plant needs regular nutrition. But how to feed the orchid and how? Before you go to the store for fertilizer, you should familiarize yourself with some rules.
- Fertilizer can be applied only during the period of active growth. How to determine? On a plant, often during this period leaves, peduncle or roots begin to grow.
- If for one reason or another you had to transplant an orchid, then the next month it can not be fertilized. The plant should "take root."
- If pests, diseases, or roots and leaves begin to rot, fertilizer should be postponed. Only foliar top dressing can be used.
- Remember, before applying fertilizer, you need to water the plant. Otherwise, dressing can burn the roots.
- In winter and summer, the orchid is recommended to be fertilized once a month. And in the autumn and spring, this procedure can be repeated 2 times a month. In this case, remember that the plant should not be at rest.
- Have you been given a blooming orchid? Have you ever fertilized it? Do not experiment, it is better to postpone this procedure to a later date. Indeed, plentiful fertilizer can significantly reduce the flowering time.
- Orchid has several stages of growth. This should be considered. Indeed, for a certain period, it is necessary to use various top dressing. For example, a large need for nitrogen in a plant is observed during the formation of new leaves. But when laying flower stalks, it is necessary to make fertilizers with potassium and phosphorus.
How to fertilize the plant
How to feed an orchid? After all, there are many fertilizers that are provided for feeding the root system and the foliar part of the plant. Each of them is characterized by its method of application, action and recommendations.
So how and with what to feed the orchid at home? Consider each of these types of dressing separately.
Fertilizers for the root system
This fertilizer is used for healthy plants. The main purpose is to stimulate growth and replenish nutrients. Before applying fertilizer, thoroughly water the plant until the roots are completely wetted. After that, fertilizer must be added to the tank with filtered water. Its concentration should correspond to the information in the instructions for the drug. Water should be 2 0 C. warmer than room temperature.
A flowerpot with a flower is placed in this solution for 20 minutes. Immersion in a pot solution should be carried out slowly. In this case, you should keep the bark so that it does not fall out. You can pour the solution on top.
After top dressing, make sure that all excess fluid flows out of the pot and does not remain in the pan. The ambient temperature should also be monitored. After fertilizing, the plant should not be left in a cold room.
How to feed an orchid at home? During the period of active growth of leaves and roots, it is better to use "Mr. Color - Universal". To prepare the solution, mix 3 liters of pure water and 1 cap of the drug.
How to feed an orchid during flowering? For laying flower stalks and in this period it is better to use fertilizer of the same brand, only with the mark "Orchid". To prepare the solution, you need to take all the ingredients in the proportions: 1 cap of the drug per 1 liter of water.
Foliar top dressing
Foliar top dressing is just as important as root top dressing. It is used in such cases:
- An alternative to basic fertilizer.
- In the period when the mass of roots is growing. Indeed, at this time it is easy to burn them with root fertilizer.
- With a damaged root system, the flower does not receive the required amount of nutrients. And this method contributes to their delivery to the right place.
- Chlorosis. This method contributes to the rapid feeding of the plant. Often the result can be seen within a few hours after application.
Now we will figure out how and how to feed the Phalaenopsis orchid at home in this way.
Leaf dressing of orchids should be carried out in cloudy weather or in the evening. So direct sunlight will not fall on the drops of the solution and will not create burns to the leaves. Air temperature should be in the range from 15 to 27 0 C, there should be no drafts in the room. Now you need to spray all the leaves from the upper and lower sides, visible roots. In no case should the solution get onto buds and flowers. After top dressing, it is necessary to carefully examine the sinuses between the leaves. They should not be a solution. Otherwise, the plant may begin to rot.
So how to feed the orchid from above? To build leaves and root mass, it is better to use "Doctor FOLI starter." But for stimulation of the peduncle, it is better to give preference to fertilizer marked "Orchid".
The main characteristics of the fertilizer
Many gardeners are interested in how to feed an orchid after flowering. So, after the plant has flowered, it often hibernates (dormancy). At this time, feeding is better to postpone.
You should pay attention to fertilizer. What characteristics should I look for when choosing a fertilizer for orchids?
- The required level of acidity (5-7 pH).
- The concentration of nutrients.
- The content of trace elements in chelated form.
- Components that prevent the accumulation of salts in the cortex.
- The presence of additional components.
- It is better to choose fertilizers in liquid form.
- It is better to choose mineral fertilizers.
Conclusion
So we learned how to feed an orchid at home. Reviews about each of the above drugs are mostly positive. Therefore, you can safely fertilize your luxurious orchids. Let them please your eye for many years with bright and attractive colors.