The unpretentious and beautiful Phalaenopsis orchid tops the rating of the best houseplants. This hybrid flower is sold not only in flower shops, but also in large supermarkets. Phalaenopsis orchid is popular among flower growers due to its ease of care and maintenance.
Conditions of detention
A hybrid representative of this type of orchid is recommended to be kept on the western, eastern or northeastern windowsill. If direct sunlight hits the phalaenopsis, the leaves may burn. An orchid bloom lasts longer at an air temperature of 18-25 ° C, a temperature rise of up to 35 ° C is allowed (short-term, otherwise the orchid drops flowers). In the cold season, a temperature drop of up to 12 ° C is allowed.
Air humidity should be 40-70%. Strong humidity without ventilation can lead to the formation of dark spots on orchid leaves, root rot. Reduced humidity leads to the loss of flowers and loss of leaf turgor. To increase the percentage of humidity in the air, you can place the plant pot on a tray of water.
Substrate selection and transplantation
Hybrid representatives of this type of orchid are grown in pots with a breathable substrate, which can be purchased ready-made in specialized stores or made yourself from 5% charcoal, 60% coniferous bark, 15% foam and 20% peat or sphagnum moss. If you have little experience in caring for flowers, then it is better to buy a ready-made mixture that contains the necessary components and nutrients.
It is recommended to transplant phalaenopsis every two to three years, because from frequent watering the substrate loses its useful properties. The best time to transplant is when the roots are re-growing. You should not transplant an orchid that is preparing for flowering, this can lead to a slowdown in the development of flowers, shedding of buds. Orchid pots should be made of plastic (clay pots tend to absorb moisture). You can use transparent pots for transplanting to monitor the condition of the root system, to prevent overflow.
Watering and spraying
Phalaenopsis watering depends entirely on the temperature of the flower's content. The higher it is, the more abundantly and more often you should water. At the same time, excess water should flow freely from the pot, stagnant moisture can lead to rotting of the root system. The soil should dry well between waterings. Therefore, it is necessary to saturate the orchid with moisture only as needed (you can navigate by the weight of the pot).
It is recommended to shed this type of orchid with a warm shower, the water temperature should be 30-35 ° C, so you simulate the natural conditions of keeping the flower. Such watering has a beneficial effect on the development and growth of the plant. Each time, remove excess water in the sinuses between the leaves with paper towels or handkerchiefs. It is not necessary to spray the phalaenopsis orchid even on a hot summer day, as drops of water flow into the core, provoking leaf rot.
Top dressing
Artificial feeding of an orchid is not vital, but a plant that is balanced and regularly fed will flower more abundantly, producing a large number of buds. It is recommended to use specialized fertilizers when caring for phalaenopsis, which are marked on the package "For orchids". Fertilizers for other indoor plants have a different composition of nutrients, and their dosage is slightly higher than is necessary for orchids.
