Homeland orchid phalaenopsis Philadelphia - Philippines. The flower grows in tropical rainforests on trees, various snags and volcanoes. Due to the unusual marble coloring of the leaves, the orchid is completely invisible during the dormant period.
general description
Phalaenopsis Philadelphia - a hybrid of two types: Schiller and Stuart. This plant is completely unpretentious in care. Silver-green leaves and small flowers of a purple-pink hue give it a unique look. Phalaenopsis Philadelphia is capable of producing many peduncles; for some gardeners, it also branches.
The younger the plant, the brighter the marble pattern on the leaves. With age or with improper care, it darkens, an amazing color is lost. At home, the number of leaves rarely exceeds three, but in nature they can grow up to six.
The peduncle of the orchid can reach 60 cm, it is brown in color. The flower has a diameter of 7 cm, has white petals with a lilac-pink tint. Unlike other phalaenopsis, purple spots on the side lobes.
Flowering at home
Phalaenopsis Philadelphia is a very beautiful plant. This hybrid has a large number of simultaneously blooming flowers, which, when properly stimulated with additives, appear throughout the year. Each plant of this species has its own individual flowering time. In Phalaenopsis, Philadelphia is the period from February to May, although the rest time is not pronounced. It happens that under the same conditions, one flower blooms in February and the other in June. This is also considered the norm.
The easiest way to stimulate flowering is to reduce watering and lower the temperature to 12-14 degrees. You can create an artificial spring. This is when the difference between night and daytime temperatures is 6 degrees. It is impossible to stimulate a plant during the period of leaf growth.
Landing Phalaenopsis Philadelphia
The phalaenopsis orchid, the cultivation of which interests every gardener, is not a very capricious plant. Creating suitable conditions is not at all difficult. Like other orchids, Philadelphia needs soil, which is based on a sanitized, dried pine bark. Plus various add-ons such as:
- perlite;
- vermiculitis;
- expanded clay;
- Styrofoam;
- coal and others
For the development of the plant and full flowering, you need to choose the right soil mixture. If you independently prepare the soil there is no possibility or desire, then you can buy it in the store.
After landing from above, the ground is covered with sphagnum moss to retain moisture. This is an important condition. You can also put a container of water nearby to humidify the air. Phalaenopsis Philadelphia loves crowding, so you need to plant it in small pots. For a young plant, choose a container of a size in which the root system does not reach 2-3 cm to the bottom. A transparent pot with side openings is considered ideal for planting for better air circulation. The root system is involved in photosynthesis. It is very important to provide access to the light and not to close when landing. When fouling with the roots of the lower part of the plant, it is necessary to add soil to the pot. It is also important to clean dying foliage in time.
Philadelphia Care
Phalaenopsis is a very beautiful plant. No wonder they are considered a great gift to a woman. Orchids, the cultivation and care at home for which does not require great skills, in suitable conditions bloom constantly.
Phalaenopsis Philadelphia tolerates a warm environment well: from + 22 ° to + 28 ° C during the day, at night from + 18 ° to + 20 ° C. It is impossible to keep a flower for a long time at low temperatures, as this has a detrimental effect on the orchid. You need to position the pot in the shade or partial shade. The main thing is to maintain humid air all year round.
Also important is the air circulation provided by the holes in the pot. This type of orchid does not like drafts and stuffiness indoors.
Watering
It is better to moisten the soil with warm rain or distilled water. Do not allow liquids to enter the outlet; this will lead to decay. You need to fertilize the plant during the flowering period, after - you need to give it a rest.
Peduncles that have faded, but have not dried out or wilted, should not be pruned, as they can sprout.
After buying an orchid is better to transplant. Then remove for two weeks in a dark place, stop watering for this time. During the transplant, the plant must be checked for diseases and pests. To do this, immerse the root system in water for 2 hours. It is then removed and checked for rot and wormholes. Bad roots are cut, and the places of the cuts are treated with iodine or furatsilinom.
Reproduction tips
The orchid breeding procedure is of interest to many gardeners. At home, three types of reproduction are used:
These methods have their advantages and disadvantages:
- The easiest is for kids. A baby forms on the peduncle or near the root. When 3-4 roots with a length of about five centimeters appear, the process can be separated (with disinfected tools) and planted in a separate pot. The process of germination will take about six months.
- Florists distinguish two types of propagation by cuttings: cut shoots and twigs with sleeping buds. The main thing with this method is to make the correct cut. Two methods are used:
after the flower stalk has faded, a 4 cm long stalk is cut off; if you need buds, then the stem is divided into 2-3 segments 10 cm long.
For processing cuttings using charcoal and activated carbon and cinnamon powder. Also, these components are used to process fresh slices.
For the bud to wake up, it is advisable to maintain a temperature of + 25 ° C. It must be remembered that the closer the buds to the leaves, the faster they germinate.
To cuttings soon began to develop, they create greenhouse conditions.
If the flowers began to fade, then it follows that the orchid needs to be given rest and not stimulated, or it is under plentiful lighting.
Also, always monitor the soil, when flooded, rot forms on the roots and the plant does not have enough forces for normal flowering. When using fertilizers that are not suitable for orchids, they begin to grow poorly.
Philadelphia Phalaenopsis, home care of her is quite simple, very beautiful plant. And if she creates good conditions, she will delight you with her flowering all year round.