Rules for planting and caring for the dendrobium orchid at home
Caring for the dendrobium orchid at home is of interest to many gardeners. It is a small plant species that belongs to the epiphytes. However, the culture grows well in soil or stones. This plant is characterized by abundant and long flowering. To achieve good results in its cultivation, it is worth choosing a complete care.
Description and characteristics
It is a large genus of orchids that includes plants of different sizes and colors. The stems are fusiform or reed. They also have a cylindrical shape. When grown at home, orchids usually grow to a maximum of 60 centimeters.Dendrobium Nobile is considered a widespread type of culture. It is characterized by fleshy stems, which are covered with long leathery leaves arranged in 2 rows.Each of the shoots contains 2-3 flowers.
How to take care of
In order for a culture to develop normally, it must receive comprehensive and quality care.
Temperature regime
In summer, the optimum daytime temperature is + 20-25 degrees. At night, the indicator should be + 16-21 degrees. In winter, it is not recommended to exceed the daily bar of +20 degrees. At night, the maximum temperature should be +18 degrees. This mode is optimal for thermophilic orchid species.
If the plant belongs to the varieties with fresh content, then the daytime temperature in the summer should not exceed + 15-18 degrees, and at night - +12.
Lighting
Lighting requirements vary by orchid variety. In addition, all varieties like diffused and bright light. The flower needs protection from direct sunlight. It should be remembered that all species react negatively to the effects of drafts.
watering mode
In spring and summer, orchids require abundant watering. In this case, it is recommended to avoid stagnation of liquid in the substrate. This will cause root rot. For irrigation it is worth using settled or filtered water.
air humidity
Cultivation requires high humidity, which should be 50-80%. In summer, it is recommended to keep the plant outdoors and spray its leaves as often as possible. In winter, the container with the culture should be placed on a pallet, which is recommended to be filled with wet gravel.
Transfer
Dendrobium can hardly tolerate transplants. Therefore, this procedure should be carried out as rarely as possible - once every 3-4 years. Spring-blooming species should be replanted immediately after this process is complete.Plants that flower in the fall are moved to a new location as young shoots begin to develop.
A not too large pot is suitable for a plant. It can be made from any material. A few heavy stones should be placed at the bottom. Arrange a drainage layer on top. To do this, it is recommended to use expanded clay or foam. Then it is worth pouring a large bark and carefully transferring the flower to a new pot. The voids are filled with new substrate. To plant a plant, you need to use ready-made soil for orchids.
Fertilization and feeding
It is recommended to apply fertilizers only during the period of active growth - from April to September. This procedure is carried out every 15 days. To do this, you can use liquid orchid fertilizer. All types of thermophilic dendrobiums require the systematic use of potassium and phosphorus fertilizers. This composition is applied once a month. It is recommended to feed fresh orchids with nitrogen 2-3 times a month.
During flowering
The flowering period of orchids is different. Moreover, the duration of this process is 2-3 months. To achieve a timely start of flowering, a difference between night and day temperatures of 5-7 degrees is required. The easiest way to achieve this is in the summer.
After flowering
When flowering is over, watering should be gradually reduced. In this case, the peduncle is cut off and the culture is moved to a cool place. In this case, the culture will be able to fully relax and gain strength. In winter, the bush needs additional lighting. For this, it is certainly recommended to use a phytolamp.
Pot and Soil Requirements
Dendrobium requires a spacious pot. It should be wide enough. The roots of the plant do not participate in photosynthesis, so it does not require a transparent container. Some epiphytes with blooming flowers are recommended to be planted in hanging baskets.
For a plant it is worth using a standard substrate, which includes a mixture of sphagnum, peat, pine bark and charcoal. Before planting, a drainage layer is laid on the bottom of the tank, which will help to avoid stagnant moisture.
Breeding methods
This type of orchid multiplies in different ways, each of which has certain characteristics.
Divide the bush
This method can be applied during culture transplantation. For this, an adult plant is removed from the container and the roots are freed from the substrate. They must be carefully disentangled and cut with a sharp knife. Each fragment should contain 2-3 mature bulbs and the same number of young shoots. The area of the cuts should be treated with garden pitch or charcoal.
Cuttings
At the same time, it is worth cutting the pseudobulb from the mother plant and cutting it into cuttings. They should be 10 centimeters long. Next, take a bag and fill it with moist sphagnum moss.
Place 1-2 cuttings inside and tie tightly. Remove to a warm, well-lit area. Cuttings should be ventilated daily. Their rooting will take place in 15-20 days. Flowering will begin in 2-3 years.
Children
Babies appear at the plant in the upper part of the pseudobulb. The method can be used when the roots are formed for at least 5 centimeters.To grow an orchid, the baby must be cut with a sharp knife and dried in the fresh air for several days. It is necessary to plant the shoot in the crushed bark with a fraction of 5-10 millimeters.
With the help of a young pseudobulb
To reproduce an orchid from the main plant, it is worth cutting the pseudobulbs and dividing them into segments. Each of them should have 2-3 internodes. The resulting fragments should be folded in a bag filled with wet foam. Keep there until the roots are formed. Then it is allowed to move the plant to the substrate and water it thoroughly.
Varieties
There are several varieties of these orchids. Each of them has certain characteristics.
noble
It is one of the most beautiful cultures. Pseudobulbs grow up to 50 centimeters. For 2 years, peduncles with 1-3 large and bright flowers appear on them. In the natural variety, the petals are white and light purple tips.
Hybrids bloom several times a year.
moniliform
This variety is endemic to Japan. The height of the bush does not exceed 15 centimeters. This variety is less demanding to maintain. Therefore, it is suitable for novice growers.
Bushy
Culture is characterized by lush racemose inflorescences up to 30 centimeters. Up to 50 fragrant flowers can appear there.
Kings
The plant has cylindrical stems with wide leaves. The peduncles are covered with fragrant pink flowers. The bush grows all year round and blooms from February to March.
parisha
This epiphyte is characterized by hanging shoots that reach 30 centimeters. The leaves grow up to 7-12 centimeters. They are distinguished by a pointed shape. The flowers are amethyst purple in color.
Phalaenopsis
The flowers of this variety resemble phalaenopsis.The name of the culture is linked to it. Pseudobulbs reach 70 centimeters in length. The large peduncle is decorated with 10 burgundy flowers, which reach 80 millimeters in diameter.
Common growth problems
When growing a culture, there is a risk of various problems. To avoid the death of the plant, it is worth taking action in time.
The leaves are turning yellow
Yellowing of the leaves can be caused by attacks of harmful insects. Also, provoking factors include flower aging, chemical burns and stress.
Dry brown spots
This symptom indicates an attack of thrips, ticks, scale insects. It also becomes a consequence of increased air dryness or an excessive amount of salt in the substrate.
Wet spots
The appearance of oozing spots on the leaves is the result of exposure to low temperatures. At temperatures below +20 degrees, spraying is not recommended.
To rot
This symptom is a consequence of water ingress into the leaf axils during spraying. After the procedures, it is worth blotting the water in the axils of the leaves.
Lack of flowering
Flowering may be absent due to a constant lack of light. Also, the cause of the problems is the lack of daily temperature fluctuations.
rotten roots
Excessive soil moisture, excessive use of fertilizers and water deficit lead to rotting of the root system. Overheating of the culture and the agglomerated substrate also become provoking factors.
pests
Often the orchid is attacked by pests. In such a situation, it is worth taking timely action.
Thrips
These are small winged insects that are located on the back of the leaves and absorb the sap of the plant. The affected foliage turns yellow and falls off. A warm shower and soapy water will help control the parasites.
Shield
Plaques, localized on leaves and shoots, help identify pests. As a result, the culture loses its strength and loses its leaves. The scabbard can be harvested by hand from an orchid.
Spider
When ticks appear on the leaves and branches of the orchid, a thin web appears. Parasites absorb plant juices. Damaged leaves and peduncles die.
The chest is in the cracks
The appearance of cracks can be associated with an excess of nitrogen, temperature fluctuations, violation of the irrigation regime.
Flowering stimulation methods
To stimulate flowering, you must follow these rules:
- Anticipate fluctuations in daytime and nighttime temperatures. The difference should be 5-7 degrees.
- Reduce watering before flowering. Place the orchid in a bright place or use artificial lighting.
- Apply fertilizers containing phosphorus.
- Arrange a hot shower 2-3 times.
Tips and tricks from experienced florists
To achieve the normal development of a plant, you need to follow the recommendations of experienced specialists:
- water the plant in time;
- apply fertilizers correctly;
- follow culture transplant recommendations;
- protect the bush from diseases and pests.
The dendrobium orchid is a popular plant that has excellent decorative properties.
In order to successfully grow a flower, it is worth providing it with quality care.