Phalaenopsis: photo of a houseplant with a detailed description and names, as well as tips on care and how to grow and breed at home

Orchids are among the largest of the family of monocotyledonous plants. They also belong to the kingdom of the "plant", eukaryotes.

The plant got its name from the shape of the rhizome, as it resembles an egg (a name from ancient Greek). For the former USSR and present Russia, 419 species or 49 genera of orchids are given. The varieties of this flower, their features and care rules will be discussed in our article. Watch the video on the topic.

Species definition

Phalaenopsis is a genus of epiphytic, and sometimes lithophytic, plant of the Orchidaceae family from Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and northeast Australia.

Detailed description

Characteristics of the plant and in general, what kind of flower is this? The size of the plant can reach from a couple of centimeters to 35 centimeters. They are not parasites that depend on the earth, receive a large amount of lighting and do not receive harm from animals. In epiphytic orchids, the roots are one of the most important organs., since they perform many important functions. There are lithophones - which part is this? This is a smaller part of orchids. They grow on rocks and rock formations.

The stem of a green tint can be either long or short, as well as either straight or creeping. On one plant can be from one or more leaves. Flowers of orchids of different colors and sizes form two types of inflorescences: a simple spike with a single arrangement of flowers or an ordinary one with a pair of flowers on pedicels that grow up the stem. Orchids are divided into three groups according to their lifestyle:

Saprophytic - have a shoot that is covered with scales, there are no leaves and ends with a brush of flowers. They feed on organic matter found in humus soil. Rhizome absorbs water with its surface.
Ground orchids. They have one or two green leaves. Orchids or orchids grow up to 50 centimeters, tropical grow up to several meters.
Epiphytic. Only they have air roots, through them the orchid eats.

Distinctive feature

A feature of the phalaenopsis orchid is their root system.

History of occurrence

We will tell you all about the emergence of a plant. The first representative of this genus was found on the island of Ambon (Moluccas) by the German traveler and naturalist Georg Rumf (1627-1702).

In 1752, the Swedish pastor Peter Osbek found another plant on a small island adjacent to the Ternate island and sent a herbarium to Karl Linnaeus, who described it in his famous work “Plant Species” under the name Epidendrum amabilis. The word "epidendrum" in translation from ancient Greek means "living on a tree".

How many live at home, is it possible to extend life?

Orchids live in the wild from several tens to hundreds of years (about how phalaenopsis grow in nature, read here). The phalaenopsis plant does not live at home for such a long time, but it can still live from 7 to 8 years with quality care and planting.

There was a case that a flower lived at home for more than 20 years. It is possible to extend the life of the phalaenopsis orchid, for this it is necessary to provide good living conditions for it. Without good and proper care, this tropical beauty will not bloom.

More information about how long Phalaenopsis lives at home and how to rejuvenate the plant can be found in this article.

How is it different from others?

Description of the plant. Phalaenopsis differs from other orchids with a short stem and fairly wide leaves. The main difference between phalaenopsis and the rest is the presence of aerial roots. Leaf length reaches 30 centimeters. They have a great and pleasant smell. In addition to this, phalaenopsis is a separate genus, but at the same time it is part of this family of orchids. different and the number of species.

You can learn more about the differences between phalaenopsis and orchids here.

Subcort

Phalaenopsis has approximately 40 species of varieties and they are quite diverse. Phalaenopsis orchid varieties include:

"Antura marbell" - reaches 8 centimeters.
"Antverpen" - reaches 7 centimeters.
"Apple Blosson" - the flower reaches 8 centimeters.
"Atlantis" - the flower reaches 7 centimeters.
"Amadeus" - reaches 7 centimeters.
"Amalfi" - the flower grows up to 8 centimeters.
"Amolar" - grows up to 6 centimeters.
"Angel" - a flower of 9 centimeters grows.
"Anthura Carmelo" - grows up to 4 centimeters.
"Anthura Darwin" - reaches 8 centimeters.
"Alaska" - reaches 7 centimeters.
"Aherdrot" - a flower grows up to 9 centimeters.
"Autumn Sun" - reaches 5 centimeters.
"Arakaki White World Dream Kitty."
"Arakari Spring Fairy" - grows up to 8 centimeters.
"Anastasia" - reaches 8 centimeters.

Read more about varieties of phalaenopsis in this article.

Photo

Below you will see a photo of flowers with names:

"Antverpen"

"Apple Blosson"

Amadeus

"Alaska"

"Anastasia"

When and how does it bloom?

Further, everything about her: at a fairly good temperature, the phalaenopsis orchid can bloom for about six months. It should be sprayed with warm water, this will help prolong the flowering of orchids. with optimal warmth, slightly diffused light and humidity, phalaenopsis continues to bloom and creates more and more beautiful buds. When the orchid fades, then they do not need to be cut at all. Phalaenopsis himself decides to bloom to him or not from the same peduncle. Only in case of complete drying of the plant can the peduncle be cut.

You can find out more about flowering phalaenopsis here.

Care

Let's talk about how to grow and how to plant orchids at home. After the flower falls, the plant should continue to care. in general, this care is no different from care during flowering and before flowering.

IMPORTANT: Phalaenopsis should not lack water. In addition to this, it must be periodically sprayed. After flowering, you need to reduce the feeding for some time, since it should rest a bit.

Read more about the care of phalaenopsis in this material.

What to do if it does not blossom?

Sometimes the phalaenopsis peduncle stays green. To achieve its flowering, do the following:

Trim the top slingshot to the first on top of the kidney.
Or remove the entire peduncle, even the one that has remained green.

With the latter option, you do not need to throw out the peduncle, but you should put it in a glass of water, as sometimes a baby appears.

Seat selection

A favorable place in the apartment for the Phalaenopsis orchid will be the western, northeastern and eastern windowsill with skening. With excessive light, plant leaves may get burned..

Soil and pot preparation

It happens that in autumn and winter the humidity in the apartment can be lowered, it is necessary to add moss - sphagnum, only when the heating of the house is turned on. You need to put pieces of the middle fraction bark on the bottom of the pot. Before transplanting the plant, it is necessary to wash the bark well, and then soak for two days so that the bark is saturated with moisture.

Dry bark quickly passes water. After the bark has stood in water for two days, wash it in clean water. Then you need to add chopped moss there, then you need to mix.

Temperature

Phalaenopsis orchid blooms longer, if the plant is in a light shade and a temperature of about 18-25 degrees Celsius. It is possible to tolerate temperatures up to 35 degrees Celsius in the hot season, but only for a small amount of time.

ATTENTION: With a long time of elevated temperature, the plant can shed its flowers, but the leaves will lose their turgor. In the winter time of the Year, when the temperatures are quite low outside, a slight decrease in temperature to 12 degrees Celsius can be allowed, for a small amount of time.

Humidity

The optimum humidity for normal growth and development will be humidity from 30 to 40 percent. With excessive moisture, without ventilation, it can lead to the appearance of small spots on the leaves of the Phalaenopsis orchid, and also lead to rotting of the roots.

For a long time, at low humidity, and this is somewhere in the region of 20-25 percent of humidity, it can lead to the loss of turgor leaves and even falling flowers. For, to increase the humidity in the apartment it is necessary to move the plant to a pallet with water.

Watch a video on a way to increase moisture for an orchid:

Lighting

Light is one of the main sources of life, both for phalaenopsis and for other plants. Since the orchid is a tropical plant, the sun always shines the same and evenly. Our climate is completely different, in the winter season - the sun shines very weakly and does not warm, the day does not last long, and low temperature does affect the growth and development of the plant. As a result of this, our local flora discards leaflets and blooms again in spring. Phalaenopsis can behave just like our plants.

In winter, it is necessary to provide Phalaenopsis orchids with additional artificial lighting or he will have to retire.

Watering

After the substrate of the Phalaenopsis orchid is completely dry - the plant needs to be watered. The orchid should not be allowed to remain without watering for a long time.

It is best to use a transparent pot, as it can determine when to water. This can be done by looking at the walls of the pot, if there is no moisture on them, then you need to water the phalaenopsis. It can also be determined by the roots - they become light. If there is a clay or plastic pot at home, the degree of dryness can be determined with a finger. To do this, it is necessary to scrape the substrate and determine whether it is dry or not. If the substrate is dry above, then it can be quite wet below.

TIP: There is another way to determine dryness: It must be weighed and if the substrate is light, then it must be watered. It must be watered on the substrate or simply immersed in water.

Do not water phalaenopsis on the leaves. If spots appear on the leaves, this means that the water is of poor quality. Once a month you should arrange watering under a tap or shower. After the orchid is washed, its leaves should be wiped well with a dry towel. With excess moisture and at the same time low temperatures, dark brown spots may appear on the leaves, while the roots may rot.

Watch the video about the proper watering of phalaenopsis:

Transfer

Let's talk about what it is and how to care for and grow a plant. A healthy plant does not need a transplant. It is necessary to put the pot with the Phalaenopsis orchid in a basin filled with water for 30-40 minutes, covering the entire surface of the pot with a net so that pieces of bark do not float away. This is to ensure that the plant has parasites and pests. If the substrate has deteriorated, then the plant should be replanted 2-3 times a year.

After a certain period of time, the substrate begins to smell like acid, it becomes brittle. Phalaenopsis transplant usually begins after flowering. Phalaenopsis orchid is a feature of the growth and development of phalaenopsia. This orchid must have a good, fresh, and also clean substrate in order for the phalaenopsis to grow.

Watch the video about the correct phalaenopsis transplant:

Top dressing

It is best to start Phalaenopsis fertilizer after the first day of flowering. It happens that after fertilizing, flowers begin to wilt at the home orchid. This is due to the fact that at the beginning the plant gets used to a new place and experiences stress.

The phalaenopsis purchased at the store should only be fertilized after flowering.. If the orchid blooms for a long time, then you need to feed already during flowering. If you use complex fertilizer for indoor plants, you need to greatly reduce the dose of fertilizer, you must make 25 percent of the fertilizer from the dosage indicated on the label.

Watch the video about fertilizers for feeding phalaenopsis:

Breeding

Many flower growers are engaged in the reproduction and cultivation of Phalaenopsis orchids, at home, with the help of children, without putting any effort and without stimulating the hormones of the kidneys. For phalaenopsis, reproduction by rhizome is unacceptable. In nature, this type of orchid propagates by seed and after flowering, the appearance of new, young shoots.

The dried outlet of an adult orchid needs to be divided into two halves and cut off a part with one or two roots. The “stump” that remains to be kept until new baby buds appear, which are then carefully cut off from the mother plant. If the plant is healthy, then vegetative propagation can be carried out. All operations should be carried out with sterile instruments.

More information on the reproduction of phalaenopsis can be found here.

Pests

On phalaenopsis orchids, as well as on other plants, there are pests:

Scaffolds.
Aphid.
Mealybugs.
Spider mite.
Thrips.
Fools (nails).
Nematodes.
Woodlice.

Read more about pests and diseases of phalaenopsis here.

Where and for how much can I buy?

Phalaenopsis in Moscow can be bought inexpensively, in the region of 1200-2000 rublesdepends on the varieties of orchids. In St. Petersburg, the price is about the same.

Prevention of various problems

After the plant has been cured of pests, proper care should be taken to avoid repeated diseases.

The orchid family was given the aristocratic name for plants. The orchid is a national symbol in many countries because of its extraordinary beauty. In Mexico, when the ancient monks first saw this flower, they considered it the embodiment of the holy spirit and now it is used in worship. The captivity of the Indians to this day worship her.