Important features of caring for a phalaenopsis orchid. Types and varieties of phalaenopsis orchids

The topic of the article will be caring for the phalaenopsis orchid at home. Orchid flowers are extremely elegant, characterized by an unusual shape and extensive color variety.

Novice gardeners would love to grow phalaenopsis at home, but the prospect prevents them complex care, so they prefer cacti and other unpretentious plants.

I have good news. Among orchids there are species that are not very capricious in terms of home care and even a novice gardener can cope with their maintenance. Among them is the phalaenopsis orchid, characterized by long-lasting flowering and beautiful flowers.

Breeders have developed many types of phalaenopsis, which we will consider later. All of them are easy to care for and suitable for beginner gardeners. Some types of orchids have a pleasant aroma. Up to 40 flowers with a diameter of 3-15 centimeters are concentrated on one peduncle. The number and size of flowers depends on the branching and health of the home orchid.

Blooming orchids have bright flowers, the range of shades of which is wide. The petals have patterns, dots and spots that serve as additional decoration. The leaves are characterized by variety in terms of width, length and decoration in the form of spots and streaks.

Home care secrets

• Lighting and location . Phalaenopsis orchid is a light-loving plant. Keep the pot with the plant on the windowsill. The northwestern side is considered optimal. The orchid needs protection from sunlight, otherwise spots will appear on the leaves. In summer, slightly shade the window glass, especially if the flower is on a south-facing window sill. When choosing a location, keep in mind that drafts weaken phalaenopsis and lead to the appearance of pests and diseases.
• Temperature . The home orchid feels great in a room with an air temperature of 15-25 degrees. The plant even tolerates temperatures exceeding 30 degrees, but such a temperature regime will lead to the dropping of flowers. To stimulate flowering in winter, keep the orchid for about two weeks in a room with a temperature of about 15 degrees.
• Humidity . In order for your home orchid to grow and develop normally, maintain the air humidity in the room at 40 percent. In the summer, keep the flowerpot with the plant on a tray filled with wet pebbles, otherwise the phalaenopsis will drop its flowers. I do not recommend constantly moistening the soil if proper ventilation is not provided; excess moisture leads to rotting of the root system.
• Watering. It is recommended to water the orchid once a week, and in the summer, increase the number of waterings to two. Experienced gardeners prefer watering using a shower with soft water. There is another way. Place the pot with the orchid in a container of soft water for fifteen minutes so that the soil is saturated with moisture. Then place the pot on a tray. Excess moisture will leave through the drainage. Be sure to drain the water from the pan.
• Substrate. You can buy it in a store or make it yourself. The main thing is that it is moisture-intensive and light. Combine three parts of high-quality peat with three parts of crushed fern roots, add two parts of soil and one part of fine pine bark and charcoal.
• Top dressing. During the growing season, feed your home phalaenopsis orchid nitrogen fertilizers after watering twice a month. Fertilizers for feeding can be made independently. The main thing is to maintain the ratio of potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. Look for accurate information on preparing the feeding mixture on thematic websites.
• Transfer. Repot phalaenopsis every 36 months. During this time, the soil loses its beneficial properties, becomes brittle and brittle, and acquires a sour smell. Replant after flowering. To make removing an orchid from an old pot easy and quick, immerse it in water for a few minutes, and then take it under the socket and carefully remove it. After cleaning and washing the root system and removing rotten roots, plant the orchid in new pot with fresh substrate.

Video tips

After reading the material, you are convinced that the phalaenopsis orchid is unpretentious in care. At optimal conditions it pleases with its wonderful flowering, which decorates the home and fills it with aroma.

Types of Phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis is an unpretentious and popular orchid. The genus is represented by 70 species that grow in the tropical forests of Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, New Guinea and are used in home floriculture.

A special feature is the stem, which does not branch, but slowly grows in length, producing several leaves annually. During flowering, the plant gradually opens, and the flowers retain their decorative qualities for several months. Phalaenopsis decorates the interior for a long time.

8 most popular types of phalaenopsis:

1. Amabilis. In the natural environment, this species, which is used during crossing, is found in Australia and the Philippines. The medium-sized orchid has fleshy, leathery, dark green elliptical leaves that are 50 and 12 cm long and wide, respectively. The inflorescence reaches 50 cm and consists of twenty flowers with a diameter of up to ten centimeters. The flowers are white, have a yellow or purple lip, and have a pleasant aroma.
2. Schiller. The species resembles Amabilis, but differs in variegated leaves. They are silver-gray above and reddish below. Homeland - Philippines. The highlight is the countless flowers. There have been cases when one peduncle contained about 180 flowers. A mature orchid blooms several times, remaining in bloom for several months.
3. Stewart. The orchid of Philippine origin is similar in leaf shade and vegetative characteristics to the previous species, but differs in the pattern on the leaves. It has a branching peduncle covered with medium-sized white flowers with red spots. Lip – yellow with spots purple. In apartment conditions it blooms in spring and autumn.
4. Luddemann. A small orchid of this species is characterized by light green leaves in the shape of an ellipse and blooms in winter time. On small peduncles there are simultaneously up to seven purple, pleasantly smelling flowers, 6 centimeters in diameter. The species has a white lip with yellow markings. A mature orchid blooms constantly and easily reproduces by “babies” that form on peduncles. An ideal option for a person for whom floriculture is a hobby.
5. Giant. It is considered the largest, most spectacular and most complex representative of the genus in cultivation. But this does not prevent him from winning at exhibition events. The orchid owes its name to its huge leaves, the length of which reaches 60 cm. In addition decorative qualities, is easy to cross and is suitable for creating hybrids. An adult plant has several flower stalks, forming about a hundred fleshy flowers with a diameter of 5 cm. They have a sweetish citrus aroma, yellow and red-brown spots.
6. Pink . The smallest species in the genus. It has dark green leaves up to 15 centimeters long. Up to fifteen small pink flowers are based on a purple curved peduncle, which bloom in turn. It has a small, three-lobed lip, pink lateral lobes facing forward, with a white base and several purple lines. Medium ovoid lobes with brownish base and white tips. The anther is pink in color with a long beak.
7. Sandera. Rare, expensive and beautiful view. It has green leaves with a variegated pattern. Drooping, long peduncles are the basis for placing 50 flowers in rows up to 6 centimeters in size. The flowers have a variety of colors.
8. Horse. The orchid with green leaves came to us from Taiwan and the Philippines. It is characterized by a purple-violet peduncle, which lengthens and is covered with another portion of new flowers. Light pink in color with a diameter of about three centimeters.

I looked at the main varieties of phalaenopsis orchids that are found in culture. If you want to expand home garden new flowers, purchase one of the listed types.

Reproduction of phalaenopsis

According to many beginning flower growers, orchid breeding is for masters. But amateurs can do this too, just collect more information about the pet. We are talking about the types of plants, the subtleties of care and methods of reproduction.

The topic of further conversation will be reproduction, since we have considered other points. The homemade phalaenopsis orchid is propagated in three ways. I will describe them.

Method one - reproduction by children

This propagation technique is the simplest and most common. It is used a month after flowering. The most the right time for the procedure – from February to June.

Babies appear on peduncles and at the base of the rosette. They wait until they take root, and only after that they are transplanted into a separate pot. There are two ways to do this.

1. The first involves separating the babies, treating the cuts with charcoal, drying them for 24 hours and then planting them in the ground, where they will take root. Greenhouse conditions are suitable for this purpose.
2. In transparent plastic container Place a piece of polystyrene foam with a hole, push the young shoot into it, then fill it with water and cover. After the roots appear, transplant the phalaenopsis into the ground.

Method two - cuttings

1. As soon as the orchid has finished blooming, using pruning shears treated with alcohol, trim the peduncle at the base and divide it into several parts. There should be a dormant bud in the center of each cutting, and I advise you to treat the sections with charcoal powder.
2. For the cuttings to germinate, plant them in a greenhouse in moistened sphagnum moss. The air temperature in the greenhouse is 25 degrees. In such conditions, cuttings grow quickly.

You can do it differently. Place the cut peduncle in water with minerals and place it in a bright place. The main thing is that the sun's rays do not fall on the cuttings. In such conditions, the sleeping buds will quickly wake up and release babies.

Method three - dividing the socket

• Using a sterile instrument, be it a knife or pruning shears, cut off the top of the orchid along with several leaves and aerial roots. Treat all cuts with ash, and plant the shoot in a pot.
• It should contain a mixture of fresh moss and pine bark. The bark must be dry, otherwise excess moisture will cause mold. Initially, limit yourself to small dishes, and as the root system develops, take a larger one.
• From this moment on, the new top needs care. As for the mother plant, it will produce lateral buds from which young shoots will appear.

Phalaenopsis reproduces as easily as Dieffenbachia and any other ornamental plant. If you want to grow a whole family of orchids at home, the techniques described will help. If you make mistakes at first, with experience everything will turn out perfect.

Breeding phalaenopsis: problems, pests, diseases

Phalaenopsis is an unpretentious, but still exotic plant that is rapidly displacing the usual indoor flowers from window sills. With proper care, phalaenopsis will delight you with bright butterfly flowers for a long time.

Phalaenopsis orchid flower description

Phalaenopsis is an epiphytic orchid that naturally grows in hollows and on tree branches. All species of the genus are characterized by dense, leathery leaves of varying sizes. In some species they can reach a length of 5070 cm, and in the mini phalaenopsis orchid they do not exceed 510 cm. The roots are thick, fleshy, green in color with a silvery coating of velamen, which helps absorb atmospheric moisture.

Features of growing phalaenopsis

It is not for nothing that Phalaenopsis is considered an orchid for beginners. There are an abundance of various varieties and hybrids on sale that are unpretentious and well adapted to indoor conditions. The ease of growing means that these orchids are given as gifts instead of cut flowers, grown in apartments and offices, and used for interior decoration. Natural species are more demanding in terms of growing conditions, but it is almost impossible to find them in stores.

Interesting! In the West, phalaenopsis is often used as a single flowering plant, which is simply thrown away after flowering or replaced with a new one.

Planting an orchid

Growing epiphytic orchids has its own characteristics, and the planting method is very different from traditional indoor plants.

Planting methods

Most often, phalaenopsis is grown in transparent pots in a special substrate. A transparent pot allows you to easily monitor the condition of the soil and its moisture. In addition, the roots of the plant, along with the leaves, participate in the process of photosynthesis, which occurs in the light. An alternative to a pot can be a special basket for orchids made of wood or metal mesh.

Planting in a pot is not the only possible way. No less popular is growing phalaenopsis on bark blocks, driftwood, coconut shells, pressed coconut fiber mats or Epiweb artificial substrate. These planting methods imitate as much as possible natural conditions, look very impressive, but such a plant requires more attention.

Optimal time for planting

Under suitable conditions, phalaenopsis does not have a clearly defined dormant period, which means planting can be done at any time. The only exception is the flowering period.

How to choose the right soil

Phalaenopsis requires a special substrate that does not contain soil at all. Its composition may vary depending on the conditions of detention and the preferences of the owner. The following are used as substrate components:

• Pine or pine bark;
• Coconut chips;
• Sphagnum moss;
• Osmunda fern roots;
• Coconut fiber;
• Charcoal.

The main requirement for the substrate is quick drying. A moisture-intensive substrate that does not dry well promotes the development of fungal diseases and rot. The roots and leaves of the plant store water and can easily exist for some time with a completely dry substrate.

Advice! When buying a store-bought substrate for orchids, pay attention to its structure. It must contain large number large components and not contain small ones. It is better to pre-sieve the purchased substrate to remove small particles.

Features of caring for phalaenopsis orchids at home

Relative unpretentiousness and ease of care does not mean that there are no requirements for living conditions. Caring for orchids, including phalaenopsis, differs from caring for other indoor plants.

Location and lighting

In nature, these orchids grow in the crowns of trees, so they sunlight they are contraindicated. For most species, western or eastern windows are suitable, and many hydrides will feel fine even on windows with a northern orientation. Its leathery leaves need light shading, which will save them from sunburn. The plant can be kept entirely under artificial light in a terrarium or orchidarium.

Humidity

High air humidity is desirable, but numerous hybrids presented in stores also perform well at low humidity, typical of apartment conditions. Their selection was aimed not only at developing varieties with different corolla colors, but also at resistance to indoor conditions.

During battery life central heating You can place the flower on a tray with wet expanded clay, because if the humidity remains below 20-25% for a long time, the plant may lose turgor.

Attention! Phalaenopsis can be kept at a humidity above 40% only if there is constant air circulation and good ventilation. Otherwise, high humidity will lead to the appearance of various types of rot.

It is not advisable to spray healthy plants with normal leaf turgor. Firstly, when growing in a pot, water can get into the growing point and stagnate, leading to its rotting. Such a plant quickly disappears, because phalaenopsis is a monopodial orchid that grows only at the top. Secondly, hardness salts are deposited on the leaves, reducing the decorative effect. Thirdly, the contact of drops on flowers leads to the formation of red spots that will persist until flowering.

Temperature

Phalaenopsis is a plant that does not have a clearly defined dormant period, so if it is possible to keep a flower at a temperature of 1825 °C, its growth will not stop, and flowering will occur regardless of the time of year. Prolonged exposure to too high (more than 35 °C) or low (less than 12 °C) temperatures will negatively affect the plant's effects. In winter, it is advisable to provide additional light to the plants, but if this is not possible, then you can lower the temperature by several degrees.

Watering mode

The frequency of watering depends on the planting method and the speed of drying of the substrate. Orchids on blocks have to be watered daily during the hot season. Orchids in pots are watered as the substrate dries out, when the soil is completely dry and condensation stops forming on the walls of the pot.

Advice! If there is any doubt about the dryness of the substrate, you should wait a few days and only then water the plants. Phalaenopsis will easily withstand such drying, and the risk of flooding will be significantly reduced.

Irrigation methods and their features

Phalaenopsis is watered differently than other houseplants. Systematic flooding and “wet feet” quickly lead to death. The task of watering is to wet the substrate well and quickly remove water from the pot.

Watering the pot

Watering the pot does not allow the substrate to become wet, because with a properly composed substrate, water quickly seeps through large pieces of bark. To thoroughly wet the bark, you need to keep the pot under water pressure for a long time, otherwise the bark will dry out too quickly and will not provide the plant with the necessary amount of moisture. This method is used infrequently for watering, but it helps to remove excess salts from the pot, especially if distilled, rain or any soft water is used.

Immersion watering

This method is optimal for any cultivation. Place a pot with an orchid in a container of water, covering the top of the pot with your palm so that the substrate does not float up. When air bubbles stop coming out, remove the pot and allow excess water to drain.

Watering with a warm shower

A warm shower imitates natural conditions as much as possible and has a beneficial effect on the condition of the plant. But this method of watering is only suitable for areas with soft water and in the summer. It is advisable to turn the plant over after showering to remove water from the growing point.

Need to know! Watering with a hot shower is often used to resuscitate a plant that has lost turgor. To do this, use water at a temperature of 35-40 °C. Short-term watering hot water for several days it helps the leaves gain the necessary amount of moisture.

Water for irrigation

It is advisable not to use for watering tap water, because salts quickly contaminate the substrate and the plant has to be replanted. The water is softened by adding oxalic acid, filtering, freezing, and infusion with high-moor peat.

Feeding and fertilizing the flower

The need for fertilizers in phalaenopsis is minimal. It is advisable to use specialized fertilizers for orchids, which contain all the main elements in low concentrations. Small concentrations of fertilizers are added to water for irrigation. Foliar feeding is also effective. When preparing a fertilizer solution, it is necessary to dilute it more strongly than recommended in the instructions, because an excess of fertilizers is much worse than a lack.

For fertilizing, you can use complex fertilizers intended for other plants: Kemira Lux, Plantafol, Riverm, but the dose of fertilizer should be several times less than the recommended one. During flowering, you can use monopotassium phosphate.

Pruning this orchid

In most cases, phalaenopsis grows with one stem all its life and does not need systematic pruning.

Trimming methods

In a healthy plant, only the peduncle is cut off after all the flowers have fallen, and damaged or dry roots are also pruned during replanting. Trimming healthy leaves, even if they dry out, is not recommended, as this deprives the plant of the nutrients it absorbs from the dying leaf. Normally, the leaf should separate from the plant on its own.

Sometimes when rot appears, it is necessary to partially cut off the leaf blade to stop the spread of infection. In this case, all damaged areas are cut off to healthy tissue, and the sections are covered with crushed coal, Fundazol powder or coated with brilliant green.

Note! If the faded peduncle remains green, then you should not cut it to the ground. Only cut off the dried part to the first living bud. Lateral flower stalks will form from the buds and flowering will continue.

Phalaenopsis transplant

Orchids can grow in one substrate for a long time if it has not decomposed or become salty. Phalaenopsis tolerates transplantation normally, but may not bloom until it takes root in a new pot. The roots stick tightly to pieces of bark, and sometimes to the walls of the pot, so they are easily damaged during transplantation.

Transplant methods

When replanting, the plant must be shaken out and the pot removed and the substrate removed as much as possible. Of course, you should not tear off ingrown pieces of bark so as not to damage the roots, but it is necessary to thoroughly clean the root system.

Advice! To ensure that the roots are flexible and do not break during transplantation, the plant must first be watered.

The roots are inspected, rotten areas are cut off, and cuts and damage are treated with crushed coal or Fundazol powder. The plant is placed in a new pot, filling it well with substrate, while it is advisable to put drainage from large pieces of bark or foam at the bottom.

Important! Watering phalaenopsis after transplantation is prohibited. The plant must be kept dry for at least a week. If it is too hot or dry, you can lightly spray the leaves and top of the potting medium.

Reproduction of phalaenopsis

Orchid propagation in room conditions difficult for several reasons. A healthy phalaenopsis does not produce children or produces them rarely, but seed propagation possible only in laboratory conditions.

Reproduction methods

Phalaenopsis can be propagated indoors mainly vegetatively with the help of children. Daughter plants can form in the lower part of the trunk in the axils of the leaves or from dormant buds on peduncles. Very rarely, babies are formed on the roots.

The education of children can be caused by several stress factors:

• Overfeeding with growth hormones in greenhouses and nurseries;
• A sharp increase in temperature;
• Damage to the plant.

Interesting! To provoke the formation of babies, dormant buds on the peduncle can be treated with cytokinin paste.

Orchid seeds are very small and do not have their own supply of nutrients. Therefore, seed propagation is mainly carried out in laboratories, since seed germination requires a nutrient substrate. However, there are amateur flower growers who manage to create conditions for growing seedlings at home.

When does the plant bloom?

Phalaenopsis does not have a specific flowering period. The plant must be ready to bloom and have enough leaves to “feed” the peduncle without damaging other organs.

Bloom time flower shape

Flowers can appear at any time of the year, with one peduncle replacing another, increasing the flowering duration to 1 year. Different varieties and hybrids have different flowering times (from 3 to 9 months). Temperature also has an effect. If the temperature is too high, the flowers last less.

The second name of Phalaenopsis is butterfly orchid. The flowers of the plant really resemble butterflies in shape. Partly due to the irregular shape of the flower, the orchid is considered an exotic and unusual plant. Although there are varieties of phalaenopsis with the correct peloric flower shape.

What to do after flowering?

After flowering, the dry part of the peduncle is cut off, and the plant is fed with complex fertilizer so that the phalaenopsis gains strength to form the next flower arrow.

The most famous plant species and varieties

The Phalaenopsis genus includes about 70 species, which became the progenitors of thousands of varieties and hybrids.

Phalaenopsis amabilis (Phalaenopsis amabilis)

The progenitor of a huge number of varieties and hybrids with white flowers. It is almost impossible to buy a species plant in a store, because the species is considered very rare. However, its flowers are always recognizable, beautiful and sophisticated.

Varieties with variegated, variegated leaves are known.

Phalaenopsis Schiller ( Phalaenopsis schilleriana)

Pink phalaenopsis orchids may well be descendants of this graceful species. It amazes not only with its spectacular abundant flowering, but also interesting coloring of the leaves.

Phalaenopsis hybrid

This name unites all the variety of varieties. It is often very difficult to trace the pedigree of a variety, and the number of species that took part in its creation is in the dozens. Often various hybrids are divided into several groups:

• Standard;
• Miniature;
• Variegated;
• Pelorics;
• Taiwanese;
• Blue;
• Novelty;
• Fragrant.

Phalaenopsis with large white flowers and powerful long peduncles were considered standard.

Novelty phalaenopsis are distinguished by the unusual color and shape of flowers, as well as the continuous growth of peduncles. Moreover, the old peduncle grows with an apical bud, and the plant simultaneously forms new peduncles.

The term red phalaenopsis orchid covers a number of species and hybrids with red flowers, such as Red Jaguar, Mituo King ‘Red Pepper’, Piccolo Red and others. Some of them are classified as Taiwanese hybrids, in the breeding of which giant phalaenopsis (Phalaenopsis gigantea), Ambonian phalaenopsis (Phalaenopsis amboinensis) and veined phalaenopsis (Phalaenopsis venosa) were actively used.

The blue orchid is considered truly exotic. Forms with blue flowers in the following species:

• Phalaenopsis violacea;
• Phalaenopsis equestris;
• Doritis pulcherrima.

Their flowers are quite small, but as a result of crossings it was possible to obtain hybrids with blue flowers: Doritaenopsis Purple Gem “Blue”, Doritaenopsis Purple Martin “KS”, Doritaenopsis Kenneth Schubert “Blue Angel” and others.

This color is very rare for most plants, and the size of blue orchids is small.

Note! Often the blue phalaenopsis orchid displayed on the store counter has nothing in common with these hybrids. These plants get their color by watering the usual white-flowered form with dye.

The green phalaenopis orchid seems no less exotic, although the color of most of these plants is rather yellowish-green. This coloring of flowers is typical for many natural species, as well as for some varieties and hybrids of Phalaenopsis dendrobium, but it belongs to a completely different genus of Orchids.

Problems, diseases and pests of a flower

Most phalaenopsis diseases occur due to improper care. The plant suffers from rot and bacterial infections that flare up with regular flooding.

Various pests cause more damage:

• Spider mite;
• Mealybug;
• Scale insects;
• Thrips;
• Whitefly.

To make watering easier, a novice gardener should insert a wooden skewer into the center of the pot when planting. Before watering, it is pulled out and the moisture content is assessed. If the skewer is dry, the plant is watered, but a wet skewer is not.

Note to the florist

If there is a need to replant a flowering plant, it is better to cut off the peduncle. When cut, with regular changes of water in the vase, the orchid can not fade for up to 3 weeks.

Answers to readers' questions

Plant lifespan

In apartment conditions, phalaenopsis can live for more than 10 years and dies mainly from care errors.

Is this flower poisonous?

The plant is non-toxic and safe for animals and humans.

Why doesn't the flower bloom?

Flowering does not occur due to the poor condition of the plant. Abundant feeding is also often the reason why an orchid does not shoot.

Why do the leaves turn yellow (dry, fall off)?

This may be a natural process or a consequence of diseases. Common reasons are:

• Root rotting;
• Drafts;
• Watering with cold water;
• Pest infestation.

The phalaenopsis orchid often dries out due to problems with the roots, and not from lack of watering.

Why do the buds wither?

The phalaenopsis orchid quickly fades or drops its buds due to a sudden change in conditions or draft.

How does the plant overwinter?

Phalaenopsis does not have a dormant period, but autumn and winter often lead to growth stagnation due to low light levels and temperatures.

During this period, the plant needs to be watered and fed less frequently.

Orchid flowers are very elegant, they have unusual shape in the form of a beautiful butterfly spreading its wings and are distinguished by a rich color variety, as well as unusual patterns on the petals. Many novice gardeners would love to start growing orchids at home, but they are stopped by the prospect of professional plant care. But we hasten to please you! Among these butterfly orchids there are indoor plants that are not very picky about home care and even a beginner can easily cope with growing a flower indoors. This is a domestic phalaenopsis orchid, which is distinguished by its amazing long flowering and very beautiful flowers. Breeders have bred many different species and varieties of phalaenopsis, the care of which is not particularly difficult for novice gardeners and is almost the same for any flower from a wide variety of options.

Some types of these indoor flowers have a very delicate, pleasant aroma. The number of flowers on a peduncle can vary depending on the degree of branching and the “well-being” of the orchid (from 3 to 40 pieces with a diameter of 3 to 15 cm). Blooming house phalaenopsis orchids are different bright flowers with a wide range of shades - from white to dark purple, almost black, the petals of which are decorated with all kinds of spots, dots, and patterns.

The leaves of domestic phalaenopsis are also very diverse and can be narrow or wide, long or short, decorated with fancy strokes and spots.

How to choose phalaenopsis in a flower shop?

You should be wary of limp, soft leaves with unnatural yellow or brown spots. Gently take the plant by the base of the leaf rosette and shake it from side to side - if the orchid’s roots are healthy, the plant will not dangle freely in the pot’s substrate. Minor mechanical damage to the leaf blade is not dangerous and can be ignored.

At home, phalaenopsis is as unpretentious as the beautiful houseplant anthurium (which is often called “Male Happiness”) and looks gorgeous against the background of plants such as Ficus Benjamin, similar to topiary, or next to Dracaena Marginata, which resembles a tropical palm in its appearance .

♦ WHAT IS IMPORTANT!

Location and lighting.

The house phalaenopsis orchid is a light-loving plant and therefore feels quite comfortable on the windowsill. It is advisable to choose the north-east side, west or east with shading for the flower and place it on a shelf or on a stand next to the window. The orchid must be protected from direct sunlight on the leaves so that unsightly spots from burns do not appear. Therefore, in summer, slightly shade the window glass, especially on the south side of the room (or place the pot a little further from the window on a stand). When choosing the location of the phalaenopsis, be sure to take into account that constant drafts (for example, from an air conditioner) can greatly weaken the plant, which can lead to the appearance of various kinds of diseases and pests;

Temperature regime.

The home orchid feels quite comfortable and blooms in a wide temperature range - from 15°C to 26°C. The plant can easily tolerate temperatures above 30°C, but if this temperature persists for a long time, the phalaenopsis may begin to drop flowers. In order to stimulate the active flowering of an orchid, it is advisable in winter to organize a two-week decrease in the temperature around the flower to 12°C - 15°C;

Air humidity.

Permissible air humidity for normal growth and development of home phalaenopsis: 30 - 40%. In the sultry summer period You can place a pot with a flower on a tray with wet pebbles so that the orchid does not drop its flowers and the turgor pressure in the leaf cells does not decrease. But it is not recommended to constantly over-moisten the substrate in a pot without proper ventilation, as the roots will begin to rot;

Watering.

It is enough to water once a week (in hot weather - 2 times). Some gardeners choose the method of watering using a shower with warm, soft water. But there is another great method of watering that your home phalaenopsis orchid will surely “like”. To do this, you need to fill a large container with clean, soft water (settled or warm rainwater will do) and immerse the flower pot in it for about twenty minutes so that the soil is thoroughly saturated with moisture. After the procedure, carefully take out the flower pot and place it on a tray. All water should drain through the drainage holes pot and water pour it out of the pan so that the water does not stagnate around the root system;

Earth mixture and fertilizing.

A light and moisture-intensive substrate for an orchid can be made in several ways.
- dry the pine bark properly (to prevent mold spores from penetrating into the substrate). Then chop the bark thoroughly (to a fraction of 5-6 mm) and boil.
Then add 1 part of crushed charcoal to 10 parts of cooked bark.
- another variant of the mixture: 3 parts of peat, 3 parts of crushed fern roots, 2 parts of leaf soil, and one part each of charcoal and crushed pine bark.

IN growing season Phalaenopsis benefit from fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers (1 gram per liter of solution) after watering at intervals of two weeks. You can prepare fertilizers for feeding yourself, observing the N:P:K ratio (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium).

Table for preparation and application of fertilizing:

Transfer.

It is enough to replant an orchid once every 3 years. After three years, the earth mixture loses its beneficial properties, begins to smell sour, becomes brittle and brittle. Transplanting the flower into a new flower pot with a prepared substrate is performed after the flowering period. To make it easier for you to remove the phalaenopsis from the pot, immerse the pot in water for a few minutes, and then carefully remove the plant, holding it under the rosette with leaves. Now you need to wash and clean the roots, cut off dead or rotten roots with a clean knife.

Reproduction.

Method of vegetative propagation. For this clean sharp knife cut the orchid stem into pieces: a cut is made along the axis of the stem and a cut across the stem. Each divided part should have a leaf and a root. This procedure is best performed during the vegetative growth of the plant.

Method of reproduction by children. Often, small sprouts with leaves and a root may appear on the stem, peduncle, and even on the root of an orchid - these are phalaenopsis babies. Carefully separate the baby from the mother plant and place it in a soft container for 10 minutes. clean water with plant growth hormone diluted in it. After this procedure, the baby phalaenopsis will more easily take root in a pot with substrate.

baby phalaenopsis (photo)

♦ 5 USEFUL TIPS:

Avoid placing your indoor phalaenopsis orchid in a place that is too dark or, conversely, in direct sunlight. To let the leaves indoor plant always remained strong and solid, soft and diffused light is needed;

The substrate for an orchid should always contain the required amount of fertilizer. We advise beginning flower growers to use only special fertilizers for orchids for fertilizing and dilute them in soft water in the concentration indicated in the instructions;

If you want to achieve regular flowering of phalaenopsis, regulate the temperature. On the eve of the appearance of flowers, it is advisable to keep the temperature of the plant at about 12-14°C;

Orchids do not require annual replanting. But if the substrate has lost its former valuable qualities, and water often stagnates at the level of the roots, then be sure to replant the flower in a pot larger size with a complete replacement of the soil mixture suitable for home phalaenopsis;

Wilted orchid inflorescences must be trimmed. But do not forget that subsequent flower stalks will come out both from the base of the stem and from the eye of the dormant bud on the shoot. Trim faded inflorescences not “under the spine”, but approximately above the second eye.

♦ 7 COMMON DISEASES AFFECTING PHALAENOPSIS:

▪ Bacterial leaf spot.
Signs: At first, the leaf blade begins to turn yellow and over time, watery ulcers appear, the leaf noticeably darkens.
What to do: remove the affected areas of the leaf with a sharp knife, treat the cut areas with iodine solution or activated carbon powder;

▪ Viral diseases of orchids.
Signs: spots small size on leaves in the form of stripes or arrows, mosaic spotting on both leaves and petals.
What to do: complete destruction of the plant, since a dangerous viral infection can spread to other flowers;

▪ Anthracnose.
Signs: First, clearly defined round brown spots appear on the leaf. Over time, the spots gradually merge, the affected areas of the leaf have a depressed surface and turn black, and a pinkish coating may appear.
What to do: maintain the humidity level within 40 to 60%, eliminate the constant presence of water on the surface of the plant. Cut off the affected areas of the leaf plate with a sharp knife, and treat the cut areas with crushed activated carbon. In case of severe damage, treat healthy areas after pruning with Topsin-M or Ridomil;

▪ Fungal rust.
Signs: the appearance on the underside of the leaf plate of initially light spots, which over time change color to brown with the formation of red pads due to sporulation of the fungus.
What to do: It is advisable to cut off the entire affected leaf completely and disinfect the cut area with a 20% alcohol solution. Then treat the entire plant with Ridomil or Skor;

▪ Fusarium rot.
Signs: The leaf blade of the domestic phalaenopsis turns yellow, and the edges of the leaf begin to curl. Gradually, the entire leaf becomes grayish, and the central shoot begins to rot.
What to do: for 2 weeks, immerse the plant daily in a weak solution of foundationazole (0.2%). Carry out the procedure 2-3 times a day;

▪ Gray rot.
Signs: brownish spots with a fluffy coating appear on the sepals and petals of phalaenopsis gray.
What to do: eliminate the cause (high humidity, constantly low temperature). Spray the plant affected by gray rot with any fungicide solution. Use soft water with added Kendal for watering to increase the orchid’s resistance to disease;

▪ Root rot.
Signs: The roots and leaves of the indoor plant become soft, lose their tone, and then begin to rot.
What to do: eliminate the cause (high temperature against the background higher level humidity). Treat the plant three times in a topsin solution (0.2%) by immersion. The break between procedures is 2 weeks.

A weakened plant is often affected by: thrips, spider mite, mealybugs, scale insects.

♦ ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR BEGINNING FLOWER GROWERS:

Question: What kind of water should I use to water orchids?
Answer: The best options are filtered melt water or rainwater. If this is not possible, then let the tap water sit for several days; if it is too hard, boil and cool.

Question: How many drainage holes should be made in a pot for growing phalaenopsis?
Answer: The best option is to take a plastic pot and make holes in the bottom around the entire perimeter using a nail heated over a fire.

Question: Why did the orchid’s roots begin to rot immediately after transplantation?
Answer: The most common cause of this problem is the use of wet bark during the preparation of the earth mixture. Don't forget to thoroughly dry the crushed bark before making the mixture!

Question: Why did one of the orchid leaves have a crack along the central vein?
Answer: As a rule, the reason for the appearance of such cracks is the result of too frequent application of nitrogenous fertilizers to the substrate. To prevent similar defects from appearing on the remaining leaf blades of the orchid, water the plant with warm, soft water without adding any fertilizer for several months.

♦ DOMESTIC PHALAENOPSIS. PHOTOS OF SPECIES WITH NAMES:

If you want to give someone a particularly nice gift, instead of a traditional bouquet, purchase a pot of blooming Phalaenopsis orchid from a flower shop. This wonderful orchid symbolizes grace, sophistication and love. We are sure that with its beauty and refinement of aroma it will become the best gift and decoration for the holiday interior. In this article we will introduce you to the natural species of Phalaenopsis orchid and its most popular hybrid varieties.

The most common and popular varieties of orchids, adapted for home grown. They are unpretentious and feel great in modern apartments, coquettishly looking at passers-by from the windows of residential buildings.

Phalaenopsis (lat. Phalaenopsis) is a monopodial (stemless, slowly growing in height) orchid from the Orchidaceae family. Belongs to the genus of herbaceous epiphytic plants. Includes more than 70 varieties. In the wild, they grow in the tropical forests of Australia and Indonesia, and are found in the mountains and wet plains of Southeast Asia.

It is believed that the first Phalaenopsis orchid was found on the Moluccas by the German traveler and naturalist Rumph. Some time later, in 1752, in the same place, on a small island off the island of Ternate in Eastern Indonesia, the Swedish pastor Osbeck discovered unknown flowers of extraordinary beauty. He picked a flower and sent it to Carl Linnaeus. The well-known doctor and naturalist of that time, Linnaeus, described the found specimen in his work “Classification of the Flora and Animal World” under the title “Epidendrum charming”. Translated from ancient Greek, Epidendrum means “tree dweller.”

The story continued almost seven decades later. In 1825, the director of the Leiden botanical garden, Karl Blume, discovered another beautiful flower. Examining the local tropical vegetation at dusk through field binoculars, he noticed a flock of large light butterflies sitting on tree branches. As he got closer, he realized that he was mistaken. These were not butterflies, but flowers of an unknown orchid. This is how this flower got its name.

Phalaenopsis, translated from Greek, consists of two words: Phalania (“night butterfly”) and Opsis (“resemblance”). Today, both natural species and numerous hybrid varieties of Phalaenopsis are united under this name. People also find other names. In India, phalaenopsis is called moon flower, in Europe - Butterfly Orchid, in our country - just Orchid.

Description of the plant

In nature, Phalaenopsis grows in the form of epiphytic herbaceous bushes with large fleshy leaves at the base, turning into thick, strong aerial rhizomes, which are covered with a waxy layer and contain chlorophyll. When the roots are saturated with moisture, they turn green.

It is the roots that provide Phalaenopsis with moisture and nutrients necessary for normal growth. The leaves of the plant are very dense and leathery. They have an oblong-oval shape and are located in opposite sockets. Typically, twice a year, in spring and autumn, from one to four flower stalks appear from the leaf axils. Depending on the type of orchid, the flower stalks can be long or short, straight, curved, branching or hanging. They produce from 5 to 60 or more flowers. The flower sizes of each variety are also different, from 2 to 15 cm in diameter. The shape of the flower most often resembles a moth or butterfly, but star-shaped or almost round flowers are also found. Natural color Phalaenopsis orchid petals - white.

Breeders since ancient times, crossing different types and varieties of orchids, new hybrids were obtained, which differed in their appearance, color of petals and duration of flowering. Plants with white or pure pink large flowers on tall, strong peduncles were considered the most valuable. At the same time, the standard image of Phalaenopsis arose with traditional porcelain-white, soft pink or light purple flowers of medium size. Over time, varieties with larger flowers, up to 15 cm in diameter, were bred. But the natural grace inherent in this orchid was somewhat lost.

As a result of further crossings, breeders obtained varieties with the most unimaginable shades of petals: crimson, peach, golden, yellow-green. In addition to them, specimens with spotted and striped petals appeared. In the 70s of the last century, French breeders received new look The color of the petals of this orchid, which is called “French speck”. In hybrids of this type, the petals are colored light colors white or pink in color and dotted with many small spots of a darker tone. In some modern Phalaenopsis varieties, the pattern on the flower petals resembles the pattern on the wings of dragonflies and butterflies.

Flowers differ in the size of the leaves and the length of the peduncle. Many gardeners have become more willing to grow more compact, miniature specimens of this orchid, which has pushed breeders to work in this direction. Charming mini and micro Phalaenopsis appeared with a large number of flowers of various colors, as well as multiflora hybrids.

Read about caring for Phalaenopsis in, and below we will introduce you to the most popular and unusually beautiful hybrid varieties of Phalaenopsis, and you can choose a flower to suit your taste.

Types and varieties of Phalaenopsis

Pleasant or Amabilis

Phalaenopsis Amabilis (Phalaenopsis Amabilis)

Phalaenopsis Amabilis has four to eight fleshy, oblong, dark green leaves ranging from 35 to 50 cm in length and up to 12 cm in width. The vaginal leaves are arranged in two rows. Inflorescences are formed on flexible, slightly curved peduncles of decent length (up to one and a half meters). If the peduncle is cut just below the first flower, a replacement peduncle will form. Its flowers are white, large, up to 10 cm in diameter. This orchid is the progenitor of numerous hybrid varieties, as it is considered the most suitable species for crossing. The flower lip can have various shades of snow-white, pink or yellowish color. Up to 20 flowers are formed on the peduncle at the same time, but they open alternately. The aroma of flowers is pleasant and subtle. Flowering lasts up to four months, from October to March, when peak flowering occurs.

Schilleriana

Phalaenopsis Shilleriana

In Phalaenopsis Schiller, the underside of the leaves has a reddish-brown tint, and the upper surface is painted with alternating dark green and silver-gray spots, merging into irregular transverse stripes. In the Philippines, the homeland of this flower, it is called “Tiger”. The roots of this variety are not round, like other Phalaenopsis varieties, but flat, silver-green in color. The peduncle has a red-brown color and many branches. The flowers are slightly smaller, up to 7 cm in diameter, but there are much more of them on tall, up to one and a half meters in length, peduncles.

During flowering, depending on the age of the flower, up to 200 or more purple or pale pink flowers up to 9 cm in diameter can bloom on it. Flowering is not only abundant and fragrant, but also long-lasting. Moreover, with comfortable maintenance, this orchid is capable of blooming from May to February, almost continuously. Peak flowering occurs in the winter months. Over time, in conditions of high temperature and humidity, so-called babies appear in large numbers instead of flowers. The flower takes on a very spectacular cascading appearance. Its decorative value among gardeners is very high. Loves diffused light.

Stuart (Stuartiana)

Phalaenopsis Stuartiana

This orchid variety is named after the breeder Stuart. Distinctive feature– the variegation of its leaves and the color of its roots – they are silver in color. The branched peduncle reaches 80 cm in length, is curved in different directions and is covered with numerous buds, up to 60 at a time. The flowers do not exceed 7 cm in diameter. The petals are white with reddish spots at the base. In the center of the flower there is an amber lip, smoothly turning from golden to purple. Flowering from January to March. After flowering it likes to rest for a short time.

Sandera (Sanderiana)

The variety is named after the botanist G. Sander. Considered the rarest, most beautiful and expensive looking Phalaenopsis. It has tall, up to 80 cm, drooping peduncles with many, up to 50 flowers, up to 8 cm in diameter. Petals can be of different colors. Its leaves are also beautiful. There are up to 6 of them on a plant. They are hard, dark green, with small light specks. Peak flowering occurs in spring and summer. When kept comfortably (temperature 29-34 degrees during the day, 21-23 degrees at night, humidity 75-80%) it can bloom all year round.

Gigantea

Phalaenopsis Gigantea

Phalaenopsis Giant is distinguished by the impressive size of its leaf blades. Their length reaches a meter. The length of the peduncle can be up to 40 cm. It produces about 30 medium-sized flowers, up to 7 cm in diameter. The flowers exude a sweet citrus aroma. The color of the petals varies: from milky cream to yellow-green with dark brown streaks and spots. This variety of orchid is very malleable, and breeders often use it for crossing and breeding new hybrids.

Staghorn (Cornu-Cervi)

Phalaenopsis Cornu-Cervi

Phalaenopsis Staghorn received its name for the appearance of a perennial peduncle, reminiscent in structure of deer antlers. Its tip is flattened, and comb-like outgrowths are formed in places where flower buds form. The leaves are light green, fleshy, blunt-pointed. There are up to 6 of them. Arranged alternately. Their length is up to 20 cm, width - about 5 cm. The length of the peduncle varies - from 10 to 40 cm. The older the orchid, the longer the peduncle. Depending on this, the number of flowers is also different, but no more than 15 at a time. The flowers are small, about 5 cm in diameter, golden-red in color with brown spots. Blooms at any time of the year.

Hieroglyphica

Phalaenopsis Hieroglyphica

The Phalaenopsis Hieroglyphica orchid has leaves and peduncles of the same green color and size - about 30 cm. The leaves are green, shiny, 30 cm long and 9 cm wide. There are from two to eight of them on a plant. The peduncle is 30 cm in height, sometimes branches. From three to 6 flowers are formed on each branch. Healthy flower stalks are able to bloom again. Flowers, 3–4 on each peduncle, open almost simultaneously and bloom for about a month. The white waxy petals have numerous lemon-yellow dots or strokes that look like hieroglyphs. The flowers have a pleasant aroma.

Ambonian (Amboinensis)

Phalaenopsis amboinensis

Phalaenopsis Ambonese has 3 to 5 elliptical or oblong leaves up to 25 cm in length. The peduncle is curved, up to 25 cm in length. Capable of producing a new peduncle annually, old peduncles lengthen every year, sometimes branching. Each peduncle has several flowers, but they bloom one at a time, maximum two at a time. Since the flower stalks remain on the bush for several years, more and more flowers bloom on the plant every year. more flowers. Flowering occurs constantly, its peak occurs in the summer months. The color of the petals is variegated: transverse stripes of a reddish brick color are drawn on a cream, lemon-yellow or orange-yellow background.

Pink (Rosea)

Phalaenopsis Rosea

This is a miniature type of orchid. It has small, up to 3 cm in diameter, white or pink flowers. The peduncle of Phalaenopsis Pink reaches a maximum of 30 cm in height. There are about 15 flowers. The dark green leaves have a reddish tint on the underside. They are about 15 cm long.

Parisha (Parishii)

Phalaenopsis Parishii

This lovely milky white Phalaenops orchid variety is a miniature species. Its stem is short and always covered with leaves. Root system well developed. When kept comfortably, it produces several flower stalks at once, no higher than 15 cm in height. The dark green leaves are slightly longer - up to 18 cm. Up to ten milky-white flowers are simultaneously formed on the peduncle. Their aroma is pleasant, has a fruity-candy smell. The structure of the flower is interesting in that it consists of a very wide lip, the middle lobe of which is colored purple or lilac color. The flowers of this variety are the tiniest, about 2 cm, but fragrant and long-lived.

Horse (Equestris)

Phalaenopsis Equestris

Phalaenopsis Horse is a miniature species. It has a very short stem and succulent, paired leaves that are dark green on top and reddish on the underside. The leaf length does not exceed 15 cm in length and 7 – 8 cm in width. With comfortable maintenance, it can bloom almost all year round. Peak flowering occurs in spring and autumn. The gracefully curved peduncle of dark purple color is no higher than 30 cm. From 10 to 15 flowers are formed on it. As it grows, new buds appear alternately at its tip. Old flowers gradually fall off. The flowers are pale pink or purple and have a diameter of two to three centimeters. Flowering continues for several months. The old peduncle should be cut off only if it begins to dry out on its own.

Lueddemanniana

Phalaenopsis Lueddemanniana

The variety is named after the French breeder and orchid lover F. Ludemann. Refers to miniature types of orchids. Light green or salad leaves of an elliptical shape are from 10 to 20 cm long and 12 cm wide. A peduncle of the same length or slightly higher forms from 5 to 7 buds. The corollas are fragrant, with a dense texture. The flowers bloom alternately and have a diameter of 3 to 7 cm. The petals are small, dense, with a waxy appearance. Moreover, they are smaller than sepals. Their coloring is remarkable: on a white background there are intermittent purple, violet-pink or chestnut stripes, and the three-stripe small lip has a bright amethyst center. Blooms in spring and early summer. Adult specimens bloom all year round. The aroma of flowers is pleasant. At indoor growing Requires up to 80% humidity and high temperature.

Mini Mark “Maria Teresa”

Phalaenopsis Mini Mark “Maria Teresa”

This variety is considered a masterpiece of mini-Phalaenopsis. A neat rosette consists of green leaves, 10-15 cm in length. The flowers are small, up to 4 cm in diameter, white, lightly spotted with yellow, orange or pink with an orange-brown lip. Flowering lasts up to three months.

Amsterdam Jordan

Phalaenopsis Amsterdam Jordan

A rare variety with bright pink flower petals with dark specks. The lip is cherry colored. The basal rosette is formed from two-row growing fleshy leaves of a rich green color. The variety was developed in the last century and is still popular.

Taiwanese hybrids

Taiwan has become a modern center for the selection and industrial cultivation of numerous hybrid varieties. It was here that the unusually beautiful “harlequin” varieties were bred with bright spotted patterns on the petals in the form of ripples of dashes or dots, merging blots, tiger or leopard coloring. Their flowers look like works of art by oriental calligraphers.

Phalaenopsis Harlekin

Taiwanese breeders can also boast of the so-called Novelty-phalaenopsis hybrid varieties. They are distinguished by a particularly compact rosette, growing numerous peduncles raised above the leaves. The flowers have a regular star-shaped shape, complex colors with all kinds of designs and patterns. The flower petals have a shiny varnish texture. The Novelty phalaenopsis include the following hybrids: Phalaenopsis Misty Pride “CR”, Phalaenopsis l-Hsin Spot Eagle “Montclair”, Phalaenopsis Prefection In “Chen”, Phalaenopsis Nobby’s Pacific Sunset “Red Pearl”, Phalaenopsis Brother Pirate King “Sapphire Dragon”.

One of the varieties of Novelka-Phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis variegated

A huge number of varieties and species of orchids suggest the same diversity in the shape, size and color of Phalaenopsis leaf blades. As a rule, standard hybrids have rather large, green, matte leaves. But increasingly, not only silver, light green and dark purple, shiny like silk, or waxy-matte leaves are found, but also variegated ones.

Moreover, sometimes this is a natural color, and in other cases, variegated leaves appear as a result of mutation, when there is no chlorophyll in some areas of the leaf blade. For example, on the green leaves of Phalaenopsis there is a wide yellow stripe running down the center, or a light border runs along the edge of its leaves. Such variegated leaves are found in some clones of Phalaenopsis amabilis, Phalaenopsis aphrodite, as well as Phalaenopsis Matou Freed “M”, miniature Doritaenopsis Sogo Yenlin “Variegated Leaves”, Phalaenopsis Sogo Vivien “Variegated”.

One of the variegated Phalaenopsis - Phalaenopsis Philippinensis

True variegated Phalaenopsis hybrids:

Phalaenopsis philippinensis (Phalaenopsis philippinense), Phalaenopsis schilleriana (Phalaenopsis schilleriana). They pass on the spotted leaf pattern to their primary hybrids, which adds to their attractiveness. Two small natural species, Phalaenopsis lindenii and Phalaenopsis celebensis, have variegated leaves. If you decide to collect Phalaenopsis with variegated leaves, you can get an excellent picturesque collection.

Phalaenopsis with a special aroma

Palaenopsis Bellina

The aroma of a flower is sometimes decisive in choosing a Phalaenopsis orchid variety. It complements and reveals the overall picture of any flowering plant. Owners of such natural Phalaenopsis species as Phalaenopsis amabilis, Palaenopsis bellina, Phalaenopsis mariae, Phalaenopsis venosa enjoy fragrant blooms. It is these plants that nature has endowed with a wonderful aroma. Only thanks to them, breeders have the opportunity to obtain hybrids with fragrant flowers of unforgettable beauty.

Intergeneric hybrids

It will be correct if in this article we talk about intergeneric hybrids between Phalaenopsis and other related genera of orchids, such as Doritis, Renanthera, Ascocentrum, Rhynchostylis, Paraphalaenopsis, Neqfinetia ). Each intergeneric hybrid has its own name. Here are some of them: Doritaenopsis l-Hsin “Spot Eagle”, Doritaenopsis Taiwan “Red Cat”, Doritaenopsis Purple Gem, Doritaenopsis Tzu Chiang Sapphire.

Doritaenopsis Liu's Sakura ‘KF#2’

Thus, before the latest changes in the taxonomy of orchids, Phalaenopsis pulcherrima was called Doritis pulcherrima, and all hybrids between it and representatives of the genus Phalaenopsis were given the name Doritaenopsis. Thus, many hybrid phalaenopsis known to domestic orchid lovers are - dorithenopsis. “Doritaenopsis Liu’s Sakura ‘KF#2’” caused a particular stir. It is a compact plant with dark, dense leaves and a slight purple tint. Its petals are a delicate pearlescent pink shade and have a very interesting shape, which makes the inflorescence look surprisingly elegant.

Blue hybrids

Such specimens appeared in culture recently, after the discovery in nature of blue forms of Phalaenopsis violacea coerulea, Phalaenopsis equestris cyanochilus and Doritis pulcherrima coerulea. Blue coloring is not typical for orchids. Getting a Phalaenopsis orchid with soft blue flowers has always been the dream of breeders. When we found natural blue Phalaenopsis with small flowers, joy knew no bounds.

Doritaenopsis Siam Treasure "Blue" was obtained by crossing Phalaenopsis Pleasant and Doritis the Most Beautiful

Selection work has not greatly improved the appearance of blue Phalaenopsis: their flower stalks produce almost white flowers with a slight gray-blue tint or medium-sized purple or pink-blue flowers. The following varieties of blue hybrids have become available to domestic collectors: Doritaenopsis Siam Treasure “Blue”, Doritaenopsis Kenneth Schubert “Blue Angel”, Doritaenopsis Purple Martin “KS”, Doritaenopsis Peter “Blue Sky”.

Phalaenopsis Blue

Please note that in nature there are no orchids with this color of petals. As a result of crossing, it was possible to obtain varieties with blue shades of petals (see above). If you are offered to buy a Phalaenopsis orchid with bright blue flowers, then most likely this is not the work of breeders, but of sellers. An injection of blue paint was made either into the peduncle or into the growing point. In the first case, at home, after flowering, through long-term treatment, you may be able to save the flower, but you still won’t get blue flowers from it. But in the second case, Phalaenopsis simply will not live to see the next flowering.

Phalaenopsis pelorica

Sometimes, as a result of a plant mutation, not only the leaves, but also the flowers suffer. They have an incorrect corolla structure, resulting in the formation of abnormal, almost actinomorphic “butterflies”. For example, some flowers have petals or sepals that have the shape and color of lips. For others, the lip looks like petals. Such specimens are called pelorics. They look very unusual. In nature, Phalaenopsis pelorics appear as a result of exposure to certain environmental factors. A similar phenomenon is typical for varieties such as Phalaenopsis Stuartiana, Phalaenopsis pulcherrima or Phalaenopsis Schillehana.

In floriculture in general, unusual deviations from shape arouse increased interest. Likewise, pelorics are popular among Phalaenopsis. An example is the following hybrids: Phalaenopsis Bubble Gum “Shwartz”, Phalaenopsis Terradyne “Muligan”, Phalaenopsis World Class “Big Foot”.

Phalaenopsis Bubble Gum "Schwartz"

Please note that Phalaenopsis pelorics obtained by cloning are on sale. This means that during the next flowering, in such plants, peloria may appear in a completely different form. Many lovers of not only orchids, but also other exotics began to search for and collect such “miracles”.

In addition to the Phalaenopsis varieties described above, the following hybrids are popular in Russia:

Phalaenopsis Legato has flowers painted in amazing colors of gold, pink, lilac shades with mother-of-pearl shimmer

Phalaenopsis Cleopatra blooms for a long time with pearly yellow flowers with lilac and pink specks

Phalaenopsis Singolo has one flower on a peduncle - this is its uniqueness

Phalaenopsis Sakura (Phalaenopsis Sakura) is one of the most airy and delicate varieties of feminine orchids with white flowers iridescent in lilac shades

Conclusion

We tried to introduce you to as many natural species of Phalaenopsis orchids as possible and to the most popular varieties hybrid selection of this flower in Russia and all over the world. The choice is yours. We assure you that all these wonderful flowers are very unpretentious to keep at home and will become the main decoration of your interior for many years.

Beautiful tropical beauties - phalaenopsis orchids - have won the hearts of women and men thanks to their long flowering, bright colors, variety of varieties and delicious aroma. Care at home requires certain knowledge and skills, but phalaenopsis is considered the optimal type of orchid for beginners. Let us consider in detail the features of maintaining and caring for this orchid.

Conditions for keeping phalaenopsis

Modern industry offers us a wide variety of phalaenopsis orchids grown in special nurseries. Most of them are hybrids, already adapted to the standard conditions of the average home. However, these plants still have genetic memory, therefore, along with the immunity to many diseases acquired in the nursery, they also have the ability to adapt to various conditions.

Before talking about how to care for a phalaenopsis orchid at home, you should know what kind of plant you are dealing with: a hybrid or varietal orchid. Information about this can be obtained from the seller.

Important to know! Hybrid plants have best abilities to adaptation at home than varietal ones!

Distinguish varietal phalaenopsis by appearance quite difficult, but in Russia and the CIS countries these plants, as a rule, come from Asian countries as teenagers and are often sold secondhand. This does not mean that these plants are bad, you just need to take this into account and properly care for phalaenopsis.

Watering mode

Moisture is one of the key factors due to which any living organisms are nourished. However, the nature of phalaenopsis is epiphytic, therefore this species is not able to extract nutrients from soil or water. The only option for obtaining fluid for life is air.

The first thing you should know about watering orchids is water quality. It is necessary to use soft water: rain, melt or filtered. Tap water can also be used, but it should be left for 24 hours to allow all the salts to settle.

Proper care of phalaenopsis involves moderate soil moisture, from which the plant will draw moisture. There are several methods of watering:

1. Strait. Water is poured along the edges of the pot, and thanks to the large holes, it flows into a pot or tray, remaining only in small quantities inside the pine bark and on the roots themselves. This method is usually used after transplantation and for plants after stress.
2. Total immersion. The plant in the pot is immersed in a container of water for 5-10 minutes. Through the holes, moisture penetrates into the substrate, from where the phalaenopsis roots immediately begin to draw moisture. This method is only suitable for healthy plants located in moisture-intensive soil.
3. Partial immersion. Moisturize as needed
4. Phalaenopsis is placed in a pan of water for 6-12 hours. During this time, the roots draw moisture through the lower holes in the pot, and the substrate is slightly moistened. This method can be used for plants with a diseased root system or problems with the neck.
5. Warm shower. The plants are placed in the bathtub and watered from the shower with completely warm, about 38-40 degrees, water. Many orchids really like this method of watering, but there are a number of peculiarities: after it, the plants cannot be immediately transferred from a warm environment to a cool windowsill; they must cool naturally. It is also very important to blot the leaf axils with a dry cloth, since moisture that gets into the growing point can cause a bacterial infection of the neck.

As for watering Asian varietal orchids, it should be done either by pouring or by partial immersion. Despite their love for tropical downpours, the plant may die at home.

How often to water your pet is up to you, depending on your living conditions. It is important to always keep an eye on the condition of the roots. As soon as they turn silver, this is a signal that there is no more moisture in the pot. But we recommend that you wait 1-2 days for final drying inside the container and water it in a way that is convenient for you and familiar to the plant.

It should be noted that phalaenopsis can be various sizes, and miniature orchids need more water. Here the system of long-term abstinence from moisture does not work, so it is better to moisturize them using the partial immersion method.

Light mode

Light, thanks to which the process of photosynthesis occurs, is no less important for orchids than moisture, therefore, in conditions ordinary apartment or at home it is important to provide good lighting. Many owners of phalaenopsis note that the more optimal the daylight hours, the more often flowering occurs. Insufficient lighting, on the contrary, forces the plant to put all its energy into leaf growth.

An indicator of insufficient illumination of phalaenopsis is the light color of the tops, and the reverse side does not have purple pigmentation.

The intensity of light should also be taken into account: phalaenopsis in the wild prefers to hide in shaded places, and therefore, at home it needs to be shaded. The best placement for your tropical beauty will be a south, east and south-west window. But it's important to remember that while hybrid orchids can adapt to any environment, you still need to get comfortable with watering.

The worst place is the north window, but with artificial lighting you can make phalaenopsis bloom even there.

Caring for phalaenopsis in the winter should also include additional lighting, if, of course, you want to achieve flowering. If this is not important, then you can wait for the natural increase in daylight hours, when your pet will delight you with its flowers. Additional lighting is provided by special phytolamps.

The duration of daylight should be 12-16 hours, and for young, weakened plants or varietal phalaenopsis it should be up to 18 hours a day.

It is much easier to care for a hybrid phalaenopsis in terms of light, so for novice gardeners it is not recommended to buy varietal plants or orchids of other, more demanding species.

Temperature

Temperature environment is a determining factor for the plant photosynthesis process. It is photosynthesis that allows phalaenopsis to receive nutrition and expend energy on vital processes. It is he who participates in the process of building new cells, organs and tissues. This entire biochemical process can function at temperatures from 18 to 30 degrees.

However, as mentioned above, phalaenopsis hybrids have good immunity to diseases and a high ability to adapt to unfavorable conditions. Many of their varietal counterparts would not be able to survive for 3-5 months in the harsh Russian winters with low lighting and a temperature of +15 degrees in a heated room. But for hybrids these are natural conditions.

However, for the plant to feel good, an average daily temperature of 20-25 degrees is required. Thus, caring for a phalaenopsis orchid will be quite simple: regular watering and fertilizing, which we will discuss below.

For an orchid to bloom, it is necessary to provide a temperature difference of 3-5 degrees, but it is not recommended to reduce it by more than 5 degrees, since due to hypothermia, fungal infections can develop on the root system and inside the growing point.

The temperature difference for the phalaenopsis orchid is very useful because the tops become quite dense with good turgor, buds and new growths ripen faster, and the flowers themselves acquire a waxy texture and rich colors.

In the summer when elevated temperatures Good ventilation should be ensured in the area where plants are kept.

Advice! If your beauty has bloomed, you can move it to a cooler place, since metabolism under such conditions slows down and the flowering period will be longer.

Air humidity for phalaenopsis

This issue is most relevant in the winter season, when heating is turned on in apartments and houses. Batteries and other devices significantly reduce air humidity, which makes caring for the phalaenopsis orchid quite difficult: flowering plants can shed flowers, barely formed buds can dry out and fall off, leaves can lose turgor, and roots can dry out very quickly.

The only correct solution in this situation would be to use electronic air humidifiers, but such devices are not always available to novice orchid growers. Therefore, humidification of the environment can be ensured by placing jars of water next to the pots or by hanging wet towels.

Unfortunately, this method may not be effective enough, especially if your plant is on a windowsill with a heat source underneath.

Do I need to spray my orchid? This question is asked very often on forums and in social networks. In conditions of insufficient humidity, of course it is necessary, but this is done from a spray bottle with a fine dispersion. The stream should be very fine, like dust, and residual moisture should not get into the axils of the sheets and the growing point.

If the room temperature is low, spraying the plants should be done only for feeding purposes and with the obligatory removal of residual liquid from the plant axils.

Fertilizer

Care is impossible without feeding. For lush flowering and subsequent reproduction, flower growers use a number of drugs that contribute to this.

The general feeding rules are as follows:

1. Only healthy plants with a strong root system and good leaf turgor can be fertilized.
2. It is not recommended to fertilize flowering orchids, as this speeds up their metabolism and the duration of flowering may be reduced.
3. During the dormant period, fertilize once every 2 weeks or according to the instructions of the drug, during the growth period - once a week or according to the instructions.
4. You should not use fertilizers after replanting the plant or on young, immature orchids for 1 month.
5. Be sure to read the instructions for using the fertilizer and dilute the preparations correctly.

1. Dr. Foley. Contains nitrogen and potassium substances that promote tissue growth and the development of the plant as a whole.
2. Forte complexes containing phosphorus, which ensures lush and long-lasting flowering.
3. Biofertilizers "Mr. Color" for orchids. This drug allows you to grow leaves and roots, and also promotes the development of flower stalks.

What to do with phalaenopsis immediately after purchase

When you bring a new phalaenopsis orchid home from the store, immediately provide it with proper care at home.

Unfortunately, every beginner and even experienced florist I have my own personal list of losses. Incorrect actions when caring for phalaenopsis at home can put an end to its development or delay the appearance of flower stalks for a long period.

1. Water at night. Such actions can contribute to hypothermia of the plant and cause fungal infections.
2. Water with tap water. As a last resort, you can only use settled water, since the salts cover the roots, after which they will no longer be able to absorb moisture normally.
3. Dilute fertilizers in arbitrary proportions. Be sure to follow the instructions.
4. Place new orchids next to adapted ones. This risks infecting the entire collection.
5. Keep the plant in direct sunlight. This approach will lead to burns and loss of leaves.

Bottom line

Phalaenopsis is the best gift for a beginning gardener, but it still has a number of features. Unpretentious hybrids feel great at home, which cannot be said about Asian plants. But varietal phalaenopsis also have their advantages: having learned to care for them, you can collect truly unique species and admire the lush flowering.

How do you care for your phalaenopsis?