How many orchids live at home? Features of care, flowering and wilting period, life cycle

Window-sills, on which pots with blooming orchids flaunt, involuntarily attract the eyes of passers-by. It is impossible for such charming plants to leave anyone indifferent. And of course, no owner would like to quickly part with his beloved flower. In our article we will talk about how many orchids live, how to extend their stay in the apartment.

Plant Overview

In the wild, orchids adapt very well to various conditions, so they are assigned to the group of the most hardy, quickly adaptable representatives of the flora. The vast majority of these plants are epiphytes, that is, species whose roots are in free space and cling to the first support they come across. The processes are fixed on any parts of the trees and receive moisture from the air, and photosynthesis takes place on the same level as the leaves. In temperate latitudes, amazing varieties from the orchid family grow, capable of rooting in the soil.

One hundred and twenty years earlier, breeders began to cultivate orchids. Now, among the many vines there are new, decorative species that live in beautiful flowerpots and are of great interest to flower growers. Undoubtedly, lovers of indoor plants are primarily interested in the question of how many years the orchid lives at home.

Factors on which the life expectancy of orchids depends

Since the exotic plant from the humid tropics migrated to the pot with the presence of a special substrate, beauty connoisseurs are struggling to extend its life. Judging by the opinion of experienced gardeners, there are several factors that can influence the lifespan of these wonderful flowers. The leading role is given to the species of the plant and the atmosphere in which it is located.

In fact, it is difficult to say how many orchids live, in some cases it depends on what types of hybrids were involved in crossing and breeding a new variety. Although there is no single answer to this question, practice shows that on average this period lasts about 5 years.

The meaning of varieties

There are two main types of indoor orchids grown on window sills: sympodial and monopodial. Although the aging processes of both species are irreversible, the extinction of these plants occurs at different rates.

Monopodial cultures are not characterized by rapid reproduction, their children are formed extremely rarely. When growing orchids of this species, difficulties arise and it is far from always possible to extend the presence of an indoor flower in a room using an old plant.

Sympodial varieties, on the contrary, develop very well. Due to the accelerated formation of pseudobulbs, the grower has the opportunity to constantly update the floral interior design.

Unfortunately, the first group includes the most beautiful indoor orchid - phalaenopsis. How long does an orchid live, not capable of rapidly continuing a kind? If you make every effort and provide her with proper care, she can still reward her owner with several child-bearing formations. In this case, the plant can last from 5 to 7 years.

The flowering period is more influenced by what varietal features the hybrid parents awarded the orchid. Usually in phalaenopsis it lasts about three months twice a year, with better care it can be increased to 8-9 months.

Orchids such as dendrobium and paphiopedilum have been living for no more than 5 years. However, with timely transplants, they can last longer. The most venerable long-liver is considered a variety of cattea. Meanwhile, in some gardeners there were cases when the life cycle of these varieties lasted 18-20 years.

Currently, due to the large number of varieties, it is not always known which varieties were used to breed new hybrids. Therefore, the exterior appearance of plants and how much orchids live is still more affected by good care.

Suitable atmosphere

Tropical culture needs to be given a lot of light. This does not mean that it needs to be placed in direct sunlight, the lighting should be uniform and scattered. In the summer months, its intake must be adjusted using special filters or curtains.

Plants need to carry out regular moisturizing procedures, because how much the house orchid lives depends largely on the humidity in the room. The main thing is to do it right. You can not create high humidity in the room at low temperatures, as this leads to rotting of the root system. Often a warm room with high humidity is the key to successful breeding phalaenopsis.

Landing

Since we are talking about how many orchids live in caring gardeners, we will consider techniques for the proper maintenance of a home flower. The above mentioned photosynthesis of orchids in the natural environment. For this process to proceed correctly, the roots need light access. For this reason, an exotic plant can often be seen in transparent pots. Landing is very simple:

1. You need to take two containers (plastic or glass) of different sizes and insert one into the other.
2. The lower pot is needed to collect excess moisture, which will need to be poured regularly.
3. A special substrate for orchids is poured into the upper pot. It contains all kinds of chips and the necessary fertilizer. Only such a soil will provide good breathability.
4. After planting, the flower is watered and put in a permanent place. Orchids do not like to be moved or deployed.

When do orchids need a transplant?

No need to immediately transplant a flower purchased in a store. In orchids, such manipulations cause stress, so knowledgeable flower growers resort to them only in extreme cases. They are listed below:

• It happens that the leaves of a plant vegetate on one side and tilt the pot. In this case, along with the transplant, you also need to increase the capacity to create equilibrium.
• It is necessary to transfer the orchid to a new flowerpot if the sphagnum moss is present in the old one.
• If there are sore roots through the walls of a transparent pot, then you need to take out the plant, cut it and plant it in another container.
• When too few roots remain after the manipulation, then part of the bush along with the peduncle should be removed. This is done in order to ensure normal nutrition for the orchid.
• The instability of the flower also serves as a signal for a change in capacity and the addition of substrate.

Transplants should be approached in a balanced manner. Do not postpone this technique for a long time, as in a depleted soil, the flower will begin to gradually fade.

Phalaenopsis update

So, the solution to the question of how many orchids live at home is in the power of the grower, who, if desired, can measure his plant another 3-4 years. To do this, it is necessary to rejuvenate the bush with the following actions:

1. A sharp blade or knife, alcohol and activated carbon are taken.
2. Immediately you need to prepare a container with a substrate for planting a new bush.
3. The blade is treated with alcohol. The upper part of the plant is carefully cut from the main stem, so that two leaves remain on the old bush. Since the main root is in the ground, over time, the green mass grows.
4. On a new bush there should be at least 5-6 root processes. If there are fewer, then you need to cut off the top of the plant.
5. The cut sites on both plants are treated with activated carbon.
6. On the orchid that will be planted, the two lower leaves should be removed. The roots are immersed in the ground, sprinkled on top with a substrate and not watered for some time (it is better to moisten the soil a little).

Conclusion

How many years an orchid lives is determined by several factors. However, there are those that people can influence. Do not forget that the life of the plant, which can become a real pride and decoration of your apartment, is in your hands.