Phalaenopsis is a perennial herb from the Orchidaceae family. It is an epiphyte, that is, it grows on snags and tree branches, but does not parasitize on them. You can meet him in the humid forests of Australia, the Philippines and Southeast Asia. Most often, of the various orchids, it is phalaenopsis that can be found in the house. Its unpretentious nature and abundant flowering leave no chance for competitors. In other countries, the plant is called “butterfly orchid” or “Aphrodite’s shoe”. Indeed, bright flowers resemble moths or fabulous slippers, and often also exude a pleasant aroma.
Plant description
Phalaenopsis is an epiphytic herbaceous perennial with a height of 15-70 cm. It is characterized by a monopodial type of branching, so the growth is directed exclusively upwards. Lateral processes are not formed. The root system does not have pseudobulbs. It is represented by dense cord-shaped processes. Some of them are in the soil, and some are located on top and have a greenish-white color. The presence of chlorophyll makes the roots involved in the photosynthesis process. They also receive food and moisture from the atmosphere.
Near the soil on a very short, squat stalk are 4-6 large evergreen leaves. Ovate or oval leaf plates with a rounded edge grow 5-30 cm in length. Their color is green or whitish. Plants with monophonic or variegated leaves are found.
Phalaenopsis is famous for long (3 months or more) flowering. It can begin at different times of the year. First, a long, branched peduncle grows from the axils of the leaves. It carries many large flowers, collected in spike-like or racemose inflorescences with 3-40 buds. The corolla with wide rounded petals is very similar to a butterfly of yellow, pink, burgundy or white. The lip usually has a contrasting color, and at the base is divided into 2 or 3 protruding lobes. The diameter of the flower is 2-15 cm.
It is noteworthy that the flowers of various species of the same genus differ greatly in smell. Some do not have it at all, while others exude an intense or faint aroma. It can be pleasant, sweetish, tart or musty, repulsive.
Types of Phalaenopsis
In total, 70 species of plants are registered in the genus. Due to its unpretentiousness, phalaenopsis also became the basis for interspecific and intergeneric hybrids. The brightest of which dendrobium phalaenopsis. All representatives are usually divided in height into the following categories:
- up to 20 cm - mini;
- up to 55 cm - midi;
- about 70 cm - standard.
Phalaenopsis is pleasant. A plant with a short stem blooms up to 5 oval dense leaves. Their length can be 50 cm, but for indoor representatives it is 15-30 cm. In May-June, a large brush blooms on a large peduncle (about 80 cm in length). It has up to 30 white moth flowers 8-10 cm in diameter. The lip is red or yellow.
Phalaenopsis Schiller. A grassy epiphyte grows 3-7 oval rounded leaves. On their dark green surface there is a silver marble pattern. The flip side is red-violet. The leaf length is 25-50 cm. Flowering occurs in December-March, when an arched peduncle rises above a leaf rosette about 1 m in length. The sprout itself lives about a year, on each subsequent number of buds increases. The registered record is 400 colors. Corollas have a delicate creamy pink color. They exude a pleasant aroma similar to the smell of lilacs. The diameter of the flower reaches 9 cm. In the lower part there is a contrasting red-violet lip.
Phalaenopsis Stuart. A plant with smooth thick roots and fleshy rounded leaves in February-April produces a flexible peduncle. On a stem from 60 cm long, there is a loose brush with slightly fragrant white flowers. Purple dots and spots are present on the petals. The diameter of the corolla is 5-6 cm. A purple spot is visible at the base of the three-lobed yellow lip.
Phalaenopsis Luddemann. Compact plant with light green plain leaves up to 25 cm in length. It is famous for its especially long flowering, which can last up to a year. On the peduncle, up to 7 buds with variegated pink-purple petals bloom. The diameter of the flower does not exceed 7 cm. Flowering is accompanied by a gentle pleasant aroma.
Breeding methods
Although in nature, phalaenopsis propagates by seed, in room conditions only amateur vegetative methods are available to amateur gardeners. If a flower arrow appears in March, then it is cut off without waiting for flowering. There are sleeping buds on the sprout that can form new rosettes. An incision is made in the kidneys to remove the scales. Then, the lower cut is treated with a weak solution of mineral fertilizer and the peduncle is fixed in a small-diameter pot. From above it is covered with a transparent cap. Brown plaque may soon form on the cut, but after 10-15 days it disappears. A new outlet develops by the end of the third month. After this, a transplant is performed and the shelter is removed.
Sometimes, although not too often, on the peduncle, the buds awaken independently and children form. They may also appear at the base of the leaf outlet. The branch is produced 1-2 months after flowering is completed. Instances with at least one pair of leaves and small (about 5 cm) aerial roots are ready for independent growth. The baby is cut with a sharp sterile blade. Before planting it is dried in the air for 24 hours. During the adaptation period it is necessary to maintain high humidity and temperature + 22 ... + 25 ° C.
The kidneys can be dormant for a long time and not sprout. Their awakening can be stimulated artificially. To do this, find such a bud at the base of the old peduncle and cut off with a blade a semicircular scale. The bedspread is removed and a young leaf is released. For the full development of the baby, it will take 3-4 months, then it is separated and planted in a greenhouse.
Transplant Rules
Having bought a blooming phalaenopsis in the store, it is impossible to transplant it right away. This procedure is stressful, so you should wait until the flowering is complete. With the utmost care, brittle roots exempt from the substrate. They are inspected for damage and cut off. One should be especially kind to airy green roots.
For planting, transparent pots with drainage holes are used. They are filled with a special primer composed of the following components:
- chopped pine bark (6 parts);
- sphagnum moss (2 parts);
- charcoal (0.5 parts)
- peat (1.5 parts).
To make the soil more loose, you can add 1 part of the foam. Expanded clay or pebbles are necessarily poured to the bottom. The roots are deepened to the previous level and must leave air roots on the surface.
After transplanting, the phalaenopsis is not watered for several days, but it maintains increased humidity. Such manipulation should be carried out every 2-3 years so that the soil does not sour or rot.
Home Care
Although phalaenopsis is one of the most unpretentious orchids, they must be handled with care. Home care is to create the most comfortable environment.
Lighting. The plant needs bright diffused light. It does not feel well in the shade, but may suffer from direct sunlight. With a lack of light, the buds fall, and the variegated leaves become monophonic. The output will be the content in a room with intense artificial lighting.
Temperature. The optimum temperature throughout the year is + 20 ... + 25 ° C. Ideally, daily fluctuations of up to 4 ° C between night and day temperatures should be provided. The maximum allowable temperature is + 32 ° C, and the minimum is + 16 ° C. Drafts are unacceptable, so when ventilating the pot put further from the window.
Humidity. In the homeland of phalaenopsis, air humidity reaches 80-90%, so in room conditions you need to increase it in every way. To do this, use water tanks or a spray bottle. The liquid should not collect in drops or fall on flowers. Spraying is carried out before dinner, so that at night the plant tissues are dry.
Watering. Phalaenopsis is watered sparingly, since a lot of liquid comes from the air. Water must be settled and thoroughly cleaned. It is necessary to soften it in every possible way, it is recommended to add a little lemon juice. The temperature of the liquid should be above room temperature. Watering can be carried out from a watering can, at a distance from the roots. Excess water is drained from the pan. They also practice full immersion of the pot in the basin for 20-30 minutes. In between irrigation, the soil should dry out by 2-3 cm.
Fertilizer. An orchid needs to be fed regularly to get abundant and long-lasting flowering. For this, a special mineral complex for orchids is added to water for irrigation twice a month. From the usual composition for flowering, take only half a serving. Feeding is carried out throughout the year. A break is made only for a few weeks after transplantation or in case of plant disease.
Flowering phalaenopsis
With proper care, the orchid regularly produces peduncles, on which buds bloom profusely and last a long time. A single flower can live up to 1 month. If phalaenopsis does not bloom for a long time, it is necessary to adjust agricultural technology. Plants are placed on a more lighted window sill, and also try not to water too abundantly and often. During the growth period, it is necessary to carry out several dressings according to the instructions, but do not overdo it too much.
When all the flowers have already faded. The flower stalk is better not to touch. Over time, buds or children may appear on it again. Cut it off only after it has completely dried. Between blossoms, it is necessary to take breaks for 2-3 months so that phalaenopsis regains strength for a new period of active growth.
Possible difficulties
Phalaenopsis has good immunity, but at low temperatures and too much flooding the soil develops a fungus. One of the signals of the deterioration of the condition of the roots is an increase in the air rhizome. In this case, it is necessary to carry out transplantation and treatment with fungicides.
From low temperatures, hives can develop on foliage. It manifests itself in fairly large spots. As a preventive measure, indoor air exchange should be improved.
Mealyworms and spider mites can live in a too dry room on the phalaenopsis. If the leaves began to turn yellow and became covered with tubercles or punctures, then the reason for this is often parasites. At an early stage, you can do with a soap solution, but the use of acaricides and insecticides shows the best effect.
