Mini orchid: home care for phalaenopsis

Along with the usual orchids in flower shops, mini orchids are sold, in which the flower stalk is only fifteen centimeters long. They grow in pots filled with a dense lump of sphagnum moss, with a diameter of 6-9 cm.

They are capricious and demanding in care. If you do not adhere to the rules, they will not bloom and not discard the peduncle.

Next, we will tell you what rules you need to follow in care. And also, with what problems and difficulties await the owner of this exotic flower.

Why is it important to properly care for the plant?

Novice growers do not consider it necessary to adhere to the requirements for lighting, air humidity, watering, etc.: a healthy plant grows in any conditions and pleases with an abundance of flowers on the peduncle all year round. They are mistaken. Due to improper care, mini orchids get sick. Not taking action on time when the first signs of the disease appear, they die.

Photo

Next, you can see a photo of a mini phalaenopsis:

What problems can be due to improper content?

• Yellow leaves - A sign of excess water or plenty of sunshine.
• Falling colors - A sign of uncomfortable - high temperature or lack of moisture.
• Leaf rot - A sign of improper care. Do not allow the leaves to wet during watering, and if this happens, wipe them with a dry cloth.
• Shriveled dark leaves - A sign of lack of water.

Reference. It is harder to organize the right care at home for a beginner grower, but he will have to do everything according to the rules, because otherwise the flower will not be healthy and beautiful.

Features

Mini orchids growing on moss are watered more often, but not as abundantly as ordinary orchids. Moss is a moisture-intensive soil. It is full of unclosed, hollow cells that fill up with the desired fluid quickly. Spraying frequency - 2 times a day. Droplets of water should not remain on the leaves. When spraying, try to create a light fog. For watering, immerse the pot in a container of water and keep it in it until the moss becomes wet.

The frequency of top dressing is 1 time in 2 weeks in the phase of active growth. At other stages of plant development, fertilizers are avoided, especially in the autumn-winter period. When applying, a non-root technique is used, i.e. process the leaves. Bon Forte is bought in the store and diluted with water in a 1: 4 ratio.

Landing

Dwarf phalaenopsis grows well in a pot with transparent walls. Another is not suitable, as it hides the roots from the rays of the sun and the eyes of the grower.

Lighting

Dwarf orchid is a delicate plant that does not tolerate excess sunlight. If you do not hide it from bright sunlight, traces of burns will appear on the leaves and buds. An ideal place for comfortable growth is a darkened, but at the same time occasionally illuminated by natural light.

Temperature

A better mini-orchid grows on the windowsill, where the temperature in the summer is + 18-25, and in the winter + 15-20 degrees Celsius. If so, flowering will be long. If it is slightly higher - + 30 ° C, the plant will weaken and lose flowers.

Watering

The plant is watered as the soil dries. The ideal watering method is submersible. To do this, put a pot with it in a container of water, trying not to wet the leaves.

Once a month, pour it with a stream of hot waterbut after this procedure they wipe the leaves, preventing them from decaying in the future from non-evaporated moisture from the surface.

Air humidity

They support it in the region of 30-40%, since its excess provokes the appearance of dark spots on the leaves and rotting of the roots, and the disadvantage is the dropping of petals.

Important! In apartments where the air is dry, open vessels with water are placed near the beauty.

Top dressing

Fertilizers are applied only during the period of active growth of mini orchids. In the store they buy special ones. The abundance of fertilizing is useless, since it contributes to the appearance of small cracks on the leaves.

How to correctly choose a place where to put a flower?

Having bought in a store and brought home, a pot with a mini orchid is placed on a windowsill facing east. It grows better, receiving moderate amounts of sunlight. If this is not possible, put it on a window facing south, hiding from direct sunlight behind a translucent screen.

Step-by-step instruction

Caring for a dwarf orchid depends on whether they just brought her home or she has been decorating the windowsill for a long time.

After the store

After the mini-orchid is brought home, they do everything so that it suffers stress with the least loss. For her, special conditions are created so that she adapts to new conditions of detention, does not harm other indoor plants growing in the house.

The first thing to keep the plant in quarantine. Its duration is a few weeks. They put the pot away from others, trying to ensure that direct rays of the sun do not fall on it in this place. The best choice is a shaded place. During the quarantine period, do not feed him.

The task of the grower is to ensure complete and unconditional rest. This does not mean that it is necessary to leave it without attention and observation. Both leaves and the rest of the flower are inspected for pests.

After 2 weeks, gradually tame it to the sunlight, putting on a lighted windowsill for a couple of hours a day.

On a note. During the adaptation period, they do not use anti-stress agents and do not treat the leaves with insect preparations. The lack of watering during this period is the best way to quickly get the dwarf orchid to adapt to new conditions.

Further concern

As soon as the adaptation period comes to an end (after 2 weeks), take care of the mini orchid in a different way. The pot is placed on the windowsill, where the indirect rays of the sun fall. Flasks with water are placed near it if the humidity level is significantly below normal.

Possible problems and difficulties

Mini orchid is a plant that is sensitive to various diseases. Pests attack it, and if you do not notice their presence on time, it will die. More often she suffers due to improper care and viral diseases. So that it does not wither, they carefully monitor the conditions of detention, the color and color of the leaves, and the condition of the buds.

If the leaves turn yellow, pay attention to lighting and watering. They turn yellow due to excessive lighting and excess moisture in the pot. The flowers fall due to problems with air humidity, and the leaves wrinkle, as the roots get less moisture.

Dwarf orchid is a tasty prey for pests (ants, thrips, whiteflies, ticks, cockroaches, nematodes, etc.). The main thing is to take action in time. They are fought manually, i.e. eliminate each individual individual pest by crushing or using special chemical solutions.

Florists are advised to check the presence / absence of pests daily. It is easy to prevent their occurrence if the leaves are wiped once a week, and the soil is watered thoroughly by the submersible method at least once a month.

Useful video

Mini orchids care features:

Conclusion

Caring for a mini orchid is no different from how to care for an ordinary orchid phalaenopsis. The only difference: its watering is not so plentiful. Taking care of her, she will appreciate the flowering and healthy appearance.

Watch the video: How I care for my miniature phalenopsis orchids. (December 2024).