Phalaenopsis

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Phalaenopsis (lat. Phalaenopsis) - indoor plant; epiphytic plant of the Orchid family. In nature, phalaenopsis grow in the humid mountain and lowland forests of the Philippines, East Asia and on the northeast coast of Australia. The plant was discovered by the famous Dutch botanist K. Blume, from afar he took a meadow of flowers for a flock of butterflies, therefore the genus was named Phalaenopsis, which in Greek means "phalaina" - butterfly, "opsis" - similarity. Many varieties and hybrids of Phalaenopsis are very popular in greenhouse and indoor floriculture; plants are also represented in botanical gardens. about 40 species are currently known.

Characteristics of culture

Phalaenopsis is a monopodial plant with a strongly shortened stem and wide dense leaves, which has a single growth point. The roots are airy, greenish, often flattened, covered with a layer of velamen over the entire surface. The roots contain chlorophyll and are involved in photosynthesis.

The stem is branching, grows very slowly, reaches a height of 30-40 cm. The leaves are leathery, paired, succulent, 5-30 cm long, from light green to dark green, can be covered with white, red, brown or purple strokes or spots. An adult phalaenopsis usually has 4-6 leaves.

Peduncles are long, often branching, formed in the axils of the leaves from the base of the stem. On one peduncle, depending on the variety, from 3 to 40 flowers are formed. The flowers are large or medium, up to 2-12 cm in diameter, sometimes fragrant, can be of the most varied colors.

Conditions of detention

Phalaenopsis is a light-loving plant, prefers rooms with bright diffused light without direct sunlight. The optimum daytime temperature for growing is 20-24C, nighttime - 16-18C. At temperatures below 16C, plants stop growing and are more likely to be affected by various diseases. The culture is not demanding of air humidity, unlike its congeners, 40-70% humidity is quite enough for the normal development of phalaenopsis.

When the air humidity is below 40% and extreme heat, the flowers of the plant dry out prematurely, the leaves lose their bright and rich color, becoming pale with a yellowish tinge. To increase the humidity of the air, flower growers recommend using special air humidifiers, you can also put a container with water next to the plant or put the pot on a pallet with wet expanded clay and a grate. The culture has a negative attitude towards drafts, but it needs systematic ventilation of the room, which prevents the plant from decaying and the appearance of various fungal diseases.

Reproduction

In indoor conditions, phalaenopsis is propagated vegetatively, or rather, by separating the lateral offshoots, formed from dormant buds located on the stem or peduncle. As soon as their roots are formed on the processes with a length of at least 4-5 cm, they are separated from the mother plant and a separate container is planted.

Care

In general, caring for representatives of the Orchid family is about the same. It consists of standard procedures such as watering, fertilizing and replacing the substrate. Watering is carried out by immersing the pot in a container with water or by a method acceptable to all other plants. Plants are watered when their roots become grayish and the substrate becomes dry. Water for irrigation is used settled and warm. Water containing a lot of salts is not suitable for phalaenopsis; it is advisable to first filter it or boil it. It is important not to get on the leaves of the plant during watering, but if this happens, they are wiped with a napkin.

Phalaenopsis are fed with special complex fertilizers for orchids during active growth every 2-3 weeks. Fertilizers are applied only after watering. The substrate is replaced every 2-3 years, during which time it becomes very loose and has a sour smell, and is no longer suitable for the normal growth of phalaenopsis. It is best to transplant plants during intensive growth of new roots, but this procedure should not be carried out during the period of peduncle development and flowering.

Transparent plastic pots with holes are desirable for growing phalaenopsis; clay pots are not recommended. Mixtures are purchased either at specialized points or made up independently. The bark of small and medium fractions serves as a substrate for orchids, peat is often introduced into the substrate, it slows down the increase in pH.