Kinds of the genus are mostly epiphytic plants that have a monopodial type of growth (that is, the habitual form for many plants with growing straight shoots, in which inflorescences arise from the sinuses of leaves), sometimes there are lithophyte plants.
The stem of this species of plants is shortened, leaves are succulent paired, in length they are found from 5 centimeters to 1 meter. The thickness of the leaves depends on the place of growth, they are thin and fleshy, the color varies from light green to dark green.
Peduncles form in the axils of the leaves at the base of the stem, mostly long (but there are specimens with a short peduncle), often branching, the number of colors and size depends on the plant species. The time also depends on the species flowering.
The roots of phallenopsis, the care of which is described below, has flattened, round flat, the entire root system is covered with a thick layer of velamen. Roots have a greenish color, because because of the chlorophyll content in the veramene, they participate in photosynthesis.
Care for phalaenopsis.
Location. Phalaenopsis can grow well at the window, on the windowsill, on a shelf next to other orchids. Placing this kind of plant must be taken into account that phalaenopsis loves diffused bright light, it does not tolerate direct rays of the sun. A good place for growing will be the eastern window and the western one, but one must always take care of the shading. Some of the gliding rays of the sun are acceptable, but the leaves should not heat up, otherwise phalaenopsis will overheat or get a sunburn. In the shade, the orchid can grow, but the flowering will be bad.
Phalaenopsis is a kind of orchid that can grow all year round, but with backlighting fluorescent lights.
Temperature regime. Phalaenopsis needs a moderate temperature of maintenance. The daytime temperature is twenty-two to thirty degrees (not lower than eighteen). Night temperature should not fall below 16 o C. If the air temperature is higher, then ventilation and humidity must be higher. If phalaenopsis is constantly in a room with a low temperature, then the plant ceases to grow, in addition, the plant is more prone to rot.
Air humidity. Humidity is preferable to maintain 50-70%. Young phalaenopsis plants need more air humidity than grown plants.
At low humidity, the growth of new roots and shoots is inhibited. To maintain the humidity of the air, a phalenopsis pot can be placed on a pallet with wet small pebbles or wet claydite, the bottom of the pot must be above the water. In addition to pallets, it is permissible to use air humidifiers. If the humidity is high, care should be taken to ensure good ventilation, otherwise rot and mold will start to appear.
Watering. Watering phalaenopsis depends on the size of the plant, the type of substrate, the method of planting, the temperature of the contents. If the temperature is higher, then the earth clod dries out faster, then you need to water more often. It is preferable to water a few minutes under the shower. Watering water should be approx. 38 ° C.
After watering, sometimes the water in the axils of the leaves does not dry out, then after about an hour it should be soaked with a napkin. If this is not done, the plant will begin to rot, which is especially dangerous for the core, because if the core corks, the growth will stop. Do not let stagnant water in the pot, so make sure that water does not accumulate in the bottom of the pot after watering.
Top dressing. Fertilizing phalaenopsis is performed once every 14-21 days all year round. It is recommended to take fertilizer specifically for orchids. Phalaenopsis should be fertilized only 30 minutes after watering. Care should be taken to select the components of the fertilizer; if the composition of the fertilizer includes substances that stimulate flowering, it should not be used for too young and sick plants, as well as orchids, which have only 1-2 leaves.
Ways of cultivation. Phalaenopsis is a plant that can be grown on a block, in baskets and pots. If this houseplant is grown in a pot, then the bark of coniferous species should be used (take a medium sized one). If phalaenopsis is grown on a block, it should be remembered that after a while the plant will grow relatively long air roots.
Transfer. Transplant phalenopsis plant should be about once every 2 years, because after a while the bark begins to decompose, and the air permeability of the earth coma decreases, so that the roots do not have enough air and they begin to die. To transplant it is necessary and when roots completely occupied all place in a pot. Picks are performed after the end of flowering. As a rule, the pot should be larger than before, before replanting it is recommended to soak the roots with water, from the water the roots will become plastic and they will be easier to pull out of the pot. In this case, you need to act carefully, because the roots quickly grow to the pot. If there are pieces of bark on the roots, they can be left. Roots are first dried for one hour and then they begin to plant.
It is affected: mites, mealybug.