Orchid: characteristics and description, scientific Latin and other names, photo of a room flower, plant maintenance at home for beginners

What is an orchid? The scientific biological or Latin name of the plant is Orchidaceae department: Flowering, class: Monocotyledonous, order: Asparagus, family: Orchidaceae or Orchid.

The ancestors of modern orchids is the oldest family of orchids, which consists of 850 genera and 25,000 species of plants.

The total amount is 10% of all blooming flora representatives on Earth. In the article, we will consider what kind of flower it is and find out everything about it.

Description of a houseplant briefly

What does a flower look like? Appearance of the plant: flowers form racemose or spike-shaped inflorescences, rarely solitary. Sepals consist of three identical medium sized petals, and the fourth is fundamentally different from the others. It forms a lip - this is part of the perianth with two or three petals fused together. Inside the lip is filled with nectar.

Orchid fruit - seed box with leaves or berries. The box contains 4 million pulverized seeds. Orchid leaves are simple, regular. On the stem can place one leaf or more, depending on the variety. The stem is: long or short; erect or creeping.

The root of an exotic flower is considered an important organ that performs a number of functions: in a vertical position it strengthens in the substrate, together with foliage it participates in the process of photosynthesis, nourishes the plant with minerals and water.

Attention! The dominant part of orchids is perennial herbaceous plants; shrubs and large vines are less common.

Read more about the structural features of orchids in our material.

Photo

Next, you can find out how the flowers of a room orchid look in the photo.

Country of origin

Orchids - the oldest plants on Earth. Their trail is still visible 65 million years ago. The prehistoric remains of a flower were found in Verona. It can be assumed that the birthplace of orchids is Italy.

The Aztecs who lived in Mexico also knew about the existence of marvelous colors, namely the Vanilla variety. The ancient people made hot drinks based on cocoa, coffee and vanilla pods. In China, the first handwritten evidence of orchid cultivation dating back to the 11th century was found. Or all the same, the nature of this country gave the world an amazing plant.

Reference! In the sixteenth century, the orchid was introduced to the European continent from the West Indies. The first to complete the flower classification was the Swedish botanist Karl Linney.

Read more about the history of orchid origin and care for it in our article.

Variety and features

Orchid seeds are pollen-like, very small in size.are easily dispelled by the wind. As a result, these plants can be found everywhere, grow around the globe, the stern of the parts of the world where there is eternal ice. The greatest variety boasts part of Southeast Asia and the islands of the Malay archipelago.

Wild

The living environment of exotic beauties is different. Some species grow at an altitude of 1,000-2,500 m above sea level in tropical forests, which are characterized by fogs, high humidity, dew. Others are in the plains, fields, forests. Still others are in rocky crevices, highlands, shroud. The form and appearance depend on the area of residence.

Epiphyticlive on trees or other plants, using them as a support. However, they are not parasites. Thanks to thickenings on the stem, orchids maintain water balance, store nutrients.
Saprophytic (underground) look like an ordinary shoot, deeply digging into the ground. At the end of the shoot there is a brush of flowers.
Ground - Typical representatives who have an erect form, green leaves and exquisite flowers.

You can find out what types and colors of wild orchids are, where and how they grow in nature, how they differ from home ones, and also see their photos here.

Homemade

Is it a houseplant or not? 15 years ago, a halo of mystery and inaccessibility hung over an orchid. And now, everyone can get such a marvel. Breeders have succeeded in breeding hybrid varieties. Therefore, the cultivation and propagation of flowers at home has become a reality. The popular varieties for window sills are: Phalaenopsis, Zygopetalum, Dendrobium noble, Wanda.

The biggest

In Indonesia, near Jakarta, in the botanical garden is the world's largest orchid. It is an epiphyte, and grows on a ficus. The dimensions are impressive: the length of the inflorescence reaches 3 meters in length, which in turn consists of 100 flowers. Their total number is several thousand, and each size is 15 cm. This miracle weighs 2 tons. Flowering lasts several months.

Huge plant species of reed orchids, but for coloring it got the name "Tiger". The giant loves a humid tropical climate, lots of sun, frequent watering.

Fancy

Scientists from the Spanish University of Vigo talked about two unusually marvelous finds. In the mountains of Baracoa, which are located in Cuba, near a rocky stream, a rare species of Tetramicra riparia orchids was discovered. It is a fragile plant with flower size less than 1cm. The second type in size is even smaller. He was found in the western part of the island. This is Encyclia navarroi - bright purple in shape resembling a daffodil. The shoot is 7cm long, 20 tiny inflorescences are placed on it.

Orchids - the owners of the most unusual and unique forms of flowers. For example, varieties: "Flying Duck", "Spider", "Angel", "White Heron", "Dove", "Monkeys", "Butterflies", "Naked Man". All of them really correspond to their name.

Learn about unusual varieties of orchids, as well as see their photos, here.

Title History

Why was it called an orchid? Once a student of Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher Theophrastus noticed a wonderful flower. The roots resembled two fused bulbs. The scientist, looking at the plant, called it “orchis”, which means “testicle” in Greek. Since then, the orchid is named after the scientific Orchidáceae.

Other names

What is it called differently? In Russia, the genus of flowers of the Orchid family, was named Yatryshnikovye. One of the assumptions of the origin of the name is the word "yatro", (egg) from the Stavropol-Caucasian dialect. The family is also called "aristocrats." And in Latin Orchidáceae means "Descended from God." The flower is exquisite and rightfully deserves a noble, lyrical name.

What are the flowers like her called?

In nature, it often happens that flowers are similar to each other, although they belong to different families and classes. So the Schisanthus flower looks like an orchid, but it’s not an orchid. This representative of the flora belongs to the nightshade family, its closest relatives are potatoes and tomatoes. Schizanthus is grown on flowerbeds, balconies, window sills. Another plant that resembles an exotic orchid is night violets. They are quite similar to the cymbidium from the orchid family.

Bearded iris, belongs to the genus of irises. It has a wedge-shaped shape. The color is light purple with stripes on the lower petals. This plant also has an original appearance, which is similar to orchids.

Photos of similar plants

Look at the photo of how the Schisanthus flower looks like an orchid:

And this photo of a flower called Bearded Iris, it also resembles an orchid:

Admire the photo of a night violet that looks like a cymbidium (orchid family):

Life span

Representatives of the Orchid family in the wild live up to 100 years. There are specimens of 130 species, which are 50 years old each, and the life cycle is already 500 species for about 20 years. At home, the maximum life expectancy is 10 years, and on average 5 years.

How many years an elegant flower will live depends on the comfortable conditions in the room. It is necessary to maintain the temperature and humidity conditions, to carry out regular watering, top dressing, transplant as necessary.

You will find out how much the orchid lives on, what it depends on and whether it is possible to rejuvenate the plant.

Harm and Benefit

With all the beauty and splendor, there are mixed reviews about the presence of orchids in the house. Owners of beautiful flowers are not aware of their benefits and harms.

Decoctions of orchid flowers help to cope with insomnia, lack of appetite, depression, diseases of the nervous system.
In France, plant leaves are added to ice cream.
Everyone knows the seasoning of vanilla, nothing like an orchid.
In Mexico, flower roots are used for cooking.

Despite all the positive qualities of an elegant plant, there are a number of contraindications. In nature, there are varieties of orchids that contain poison dangerous to humans.

The aroma of orchids provokes allergic reactions.
Frequent migraines.
The appearance and development of cancer cells.
Strong odor can lead to dizziness, fainting.

Important! The best place for an orchid is a well-ventilated room where regular air exchange takes place.

You can find out whether the orchid can be kept at home, poisonous or not, as well as the benefit or harm to the human body, can be found here.

Kinds

Unfortunately, not all varieties of exotic flower are suitable for growing indoors. The following varieties most suitable for home use:

Cymbidium. Plant height reaches up to 1 meter. It has bright and large inflorescences, 13 cm in diameter. The colors are the most amazing and varied. Flowering can last for 6 months.
Dendrobium. The cylindrical stem of the flower grows from 40cm to 1 meter. Lanceolate foliage, located on the stem in turn. Peduncles mainly consist of 4 flowers, each up to 8 cm in size. Petal color: white, lilac, orange, bright yellow. A simultaneous combination of three or more shades is possible.
Phalaenopsis. There are high varieties of phalaenopsis about 1 meter tall, as well as mini sizes up to 10 cm. The shape of the flowers is unusual, unique. Inflorescences consist of 2-3 peduncles. The root system on top is covered with a layer of wax to provide phalaenopsis with moisture and nutrition. Leaves have an oval-oblong shape. The choice of shades of petals is wide: white, pink, purple, green.
Ludisia. This variety is distinguished by the decorative characteristics of foliage. Egg-shaped with pointed tips. The surface of the leaves is velvet with patterns of veins. Outlets in diameter reaches only 18cm.

What price?

The price of blooming orchids in a pot varies from 400 to 3000 rubles. It all depends on the variety, plant size, place of purchase. For example, in a store near the house, the cost will be higher than in chain hypermarkets, but in gardening enterprises there is more choice. The average cost in Russia is 700 rubles. Flowers are mainly sold in the Netherlands.

Thai flowers are brought to Russia in airtight transparent bottles. There are 3-5 processes and nutrients for them. But in our climate, orchids do not take root. Such beauties are worth 500 baht (900 rubles).

In online stores you can buy Chinese seedlings of Phalaenopsis orchids. They are sold in bulk from 100 pcs., Unit price from 30 rubles.

How to buy?

Indoor flower in a pot is a perfect gift, and an orchid in a pot is a dream of any woman. But in order not to miss the choice, you should pay attention to the following nuances:

Among all the varieties of flowers, it is better to choose a Phalaenopsis orchid, which is optimal for both beginners and experienced gardeners;
take plants that have unblown inflorescences;
it is better to buy an orchid with 2-3 peduncles;
the presence of large inflorescences is important, then the plant looks elegant and voluminous;
It is necessary to evaluate the appearance of the orchid. It should not have dry spots, wrinkled leaves. The plant must be healthy.

Read about how to choose the right orchid when buying, and from this article you will learn about the purpose of the passport for the plant, where it is issued and what is its content.

Landing

To purchase an exotic plant in a flower shop is simple, much more difficult and interesting to grow it yourself. After all, seed is much cheaper than a finished flower. Before planting, it is important to decide what you will plant: bulbs or seeds.

Serious approach to seed purchase. On Chinese sites where they sell them, unscrupulous sellers may send poor quality products. But even if everything is in order with the seeds, it is almost impossible to grow an orchid from them. This process takes place in the laboratory.

With onions, everything will be easier. For the onion landing method:

Choose a pot. The root system quickly develops the prepared space. You also need a regular visual inspection of the orchid. Based on this, a small pot made of inexpensive transparent plastic is better. No need to plant bulbs in clay flowerpots. When transplanting, the plant is quite difficult to extract from them and the only way out is to break an expensive pot.
Set the stage. For bulbs, select a special primer. It must contain such components: bark, peat and coconut fiber, mainly in powdered form.
Bulb Planting Procedure. First, we make drainage holes in the selected container. Then we fill the pot with a mixture of the substrate and place the onion. Spread a layer of moss on top. Watering or spraying is not necessary. After about 2-3 weeks, roots appear.

The following is a good example of planting an orchid in the video:

Home Content

To get good results when growing orchids, you must create the following conditions:

The average temperature and humidity conditions in the room for indoor orchids should be at the level of + 18-20 ° C during the day, at night + 15 ° C, humidity 50-60%. The daily difference should not exceed 5 ° C. Plants can live at higher temperatures, they have to adapt.
It is important for the flower to provide a 12-hour daylight. Bright, scorching sunlight is better to shade. The best option is diffuse lighting. In the cold season, an additional light source is required.
When moisturizing, you need to be careful enough that the liquid does not stagnate in the pot. In the summer, watered 2-3 times a week, in winter 1 time is enough. It is advisable to take filtered water, without salts and impurities, slightly warmer than room temperature.
Exotic beauties are recommended to fertilize during the flowering period up to 3 times a month in the summer. In winter, fertilizers do not need to be used. When feeding, it is important that mineral salts do not accumulate in the soil. Therefore, the soil mixture must be washed with water every 2 weeks. It will be nice to alternate washing and top dressing.
The ideal option is the lack of fertilizing. The plant has enough nutrients obtained from the soil. In this case, the soil is renewed every 2 years.
A transplant is done as needed when the roots do not fit in the pot. The procedure is performed in the season of active growth, in spring or summer. The main thing is to protect the roots, because they are quite vulnerable, and transplanting is stress for orchids.
If necessary, pick up dried flowers, loosen the soil, spray, remove dust from the leaves, inspect the plant for pests.

Bloom

The flowering period is considered the most delightful stage in the life of the plant. Orchids have a pleasant, delicate aroma.. Volumetric inflorescences are located at the base of the peduncle. The buds open gradually: the first are lateral, then the upper, and then the lip opens. The full disclosure takes about 24 hours.

Before the beginning of the flowering phase, care should be taken to support the flower stalk, otherwise, under the weight of the flowers, it may break. Exot blooms at any time of the year, usually up to 3 times a year. The average duration of flowering is up to three months. If the period is much shorter, then the plant is worried.

Orchid bloom directly depends on the age of the plant. The ability to form peduncles is observed only in adults who have 5-6 healthy leaves and a life expectancy of at least 2 years.
An orchid does not bloom if there is not enough sunlight.
A sharp change in temperature and humidity, the stay of the flower in a draft.
Watering with cold water.
Incorrect transplant.
Deficiency or excess of nutrients.

In order for a tropical beauty to please with beautiful and magnificent flowering, it is important to adhere to the basic rules for care.

The following is a good example of lush flowering orchids in the video:

Disease and Prevention

Indoor

Affected by many diseases. The main thing is to diagnose them in time and take the necessary measures.

Members of the orchid family suffer from rot-related diseases. Among them: gray, brown, black, root and fusarium rot.

Signs of such ailments are rotting of the root system, the leaves are covered with gray, brown, black, spots. With the development of the disease, the foliage begins to dry, rot. This happens against the background of excess fluid in the pot, low temperature in the room, high humidity.

Treatment

Reference! At the initial stages of the development of the disease, you can fight with the use of special solutions of fungicides, drugs "Fundozol", "Topsin" with a concentration of 0.2%, solutions with copper.

If the disease is started, most likely, treatment will not give the desired effect. The plant is waiting for death.

Prevention

Observe orchid care rules. Use drugs to maintain immunity, which increase the plant's resistance to disease.

Exotic

Affected by infectious diseases that appear on the leaves. These include: powdery mildew, leaf spot, anthrocnosis. The main features of diseases are manifested in wet spotting on foliage of brown shades, white plaque may appear.

Help

Diseases can be eliminated with fungicide solutions., drugs "Toxin-M" and "Skor", copper-containing chemicals.

Development warning

Regular airing of the premises, moderate watering, the use of properly selected fertilizers.

There are cases, orchids suffer from viral ailments. Alas, they cannot be treated with drugs. The plant will have to be destroyed.

Pests

No less problems can be caused by orchid pestssuch as aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. The most effective way to combat them is with insecticides. Still apply soap solutions, spraying with the preparations "Fitoverm", "Actellik". Do not forget to wipe the leaves with a damp cloth, inspect, wash them under a warm shower.

Breeding

Orchids of various varieties and species can interbreed. Such interspecific hybridization has given the right to life to many beloved and popular varieties. Commonly used orchid breeding methods are:

side shoots, kids. They are created special conditions for growth, and then separated from the stem and transplanted separately;
by air layers, which are also rooted on the mother plant in the greenhouse, and then planted in a separate pot;
vegetative method, separating rhizomes and planting sprouts containing pseudobulbs.

The following is a visual video on how orchid propagation occurs using root separation:

Orchids are unique in beauty flowers that need appropriate conditions. Do not neglect the rules for care and get Asian exotic right at home.