Orchid is an amazing tropical plant that conjures up thoughts of hot islands, endless amazing forests, where such flowers grow in huge numbers and, possibly, elves live.
But today they have already become part of our life with you. Every house and office must have at least one orchid, which every year pleases the eye with amazing inflorescences. But today we are interested in the most interesting variety - slippers orchids.
From the humid tropics - to your home
Until recently, the cultivation of such wonders was possible only in greenhouse conditions. Unadapted plants did not tolerate the dry air of our apartments and at best retained only decorative foliage.
However, the work of the breeders was not in vain, and slippers orchids adapted to the characteristics of our climate, as well as room conditions. This is an amazing group of plants, with its own requirements and moods. You can choose the items that are suitable for greenhouses and window sills or shelves with artificial lighting.
Variety of species
The genus Pafidelium, which we are talking about today, has about 88 species. At the same time, the concept of slipper orchids is even broader, which covers thousands of varieties of garden and indoor plants.
They got their name because of the unusual shape of the lower petal, which resembles a bucket. It is framed by the upper petals forming a sail. The result is a ball shoe in an elegant frame.
Getting to know the view
The first orchid slippers were imported from India. They came to Europe only at the beginning of the 19th century and immediately won the hearts of flower growers. However, botanists still find new varieties of orchids in nature.
Do not stop wondering at the variety of shapes, colors and sizes. But no matter how generous nature is, the human mind is even more inventive. It is for this reason that all hybrid varieties cannot even be described.
Waiting for a miracle
So, a tropical guest has settled on your windowsill. Today it looks very simple. Green leaves, aerial roots, nothing remarkable. However, be patient. You can see beautiful orchids when they release the arrow. You can show off a wide-line or belt-shaped, as well as a variety with oblong leaves.
In the smallest representatives of the outlet, they do not exceed 10 cm, and in large peduncles reach 60 cm. One flower develops from the center of the outlet. After the luxurious whisk withers, the escape will give rise to daughter sockets.
The duration of flowering is long, about 3 months. Beautiful orchids simply attract the eye, it is impossible to stop looking at their stunning petals, long pistils and delicate color transitions.
Among modern hybrids, there are multi-flowered papideliums. Up to 30 buds appear on the peduncle, which bloom almost simultaneously. They can bloom seasonally, regularly delighting their hosts with bright inflorescences.
Paphiopedilum Orchids
On sale, they come with peduncles. This is understandable, it is in this form that the plant is able to quickly find a buyer. However, it has only one outlet and several leaves.
Why is such a young plant willing to bloom? The answer is simple: this is the result of flowering stimulants. After the peduncle dries, it will take a lot of time to restore strength. Therefore, do not count on the next buds earlier than in 2-3 years.
Before you buy a plant, try to learn more about this hybrid and its properties. This will avoid disappointment. More attention should be paid not to flowers, but to the state of the vegetative part, the absence of rot and dark spots, damage. Only in this case, the green pet quickly adapts and begins to develop.
Analyze the substrate
Orchid Venus slipper at home is not too whimsical, but you need to follow a number of rules. The substrate must be loose and let air through. Heavy compositions are better left aside.
The basis should be taken pine bark, boiled and dried. The size of the fractions should not be less than 5 and more than 15 mm. Spread the largest pieces in the center, they will serve as drainage. In order for the substrate to not dry out, add sphagnum moss. It is best to place it on the surface.
So that the mixture is air- and water-permeable, you can add large fractions of perlite. To increase nutrition - dolomite flour and fiber peat. However, you should not complicate your task too much. Orchid perfectly develops on a single-component soil of pine bark and humus.
Do I need a transplant
Now you know what should be in the pot, and you can carefully examine the composition filling it. If there are practically no large pieces, then they have managed to thoroughly decompose, and the substrate must be replaced. Strong plants can easily tolerate both transplantation and transshipment, quickly adapt and begin to grow. The optimal period is considered after flowering or during the active formation of new shoots.
Transplantation is a responsible matter. Of course, I want to divide the plant faster so that you have several flowering pots, but you should not hurry with this. The more rosettes are formed, the more blooming is expected.
Lighting and temperature
In fact, it depends on what kind of shoe Venus is growing on you. A photo and description will allow you to choose the optimal conditions for each of these plants. But all as one they do not tolerate direct sunlight. In addition to burns, nothing good will come of it. Variegated "shoes" are shade-tolerant, they will take root with great success on the northern windows, but it is desirable that the sky is not completely covered by buildings or trees. A good option is the eastern direction, but on the western windows in the summer it may turn out to be a little hot.
In the cold season, the southern direction is suitable. How to understand what exactly your Venus shoe requires? The photo and description of the plant gives an exhaustive answer to this question. The dark color of the leaves means that there is clearly not enough light, and the reddish border indicates that you have overdone and you need to hang curtains that scatter the sun's rays.
Normally, the leaves should have a light green leaf color. The optimum temperature in the summer is + 20-25 degrees, at night a decrease of 3 degrees is desirable. Winter is a time of relative rest, so during the day it is advisable to maintain the regime of + 16-20, and at night a little less.
Orchid in your garden
It is advisable to plant a beautiful and refined decoration in the light shade of deciduous trees. Garden Orchid Venus slipper loves light and loose soil. The basis can be garden soil, and sand and perlite, crushed brick are suitable as baking powder. The layer of such soil should be at least 30 cm.
Overflow for these plants is fatal, so it is very useful to make good drainage from large stones and pieces of bark. Be sure to mulch the planting with a layer of pine needles, leaf humus and moss. Winter care is simple, it is enough to cover the plants with spruce branches, and they will calmly survive until spring. Abundant and bright flowering will delight you throughout the summer.
Instead of a conclusion
Orchid cultivation is a whole world, fascinating and immense. Today we have made a brief overview of orchids "shoes". Plants are not too whimsical, bright and interesting. Even at rest, they are of some interest. During flowering, they turn into real beauties.