Lady’s Slipper. Description
A native of eastern Asia pafiopedilyum belongs to the family of orchids. He circulated in many countries, because of its sophistication and refinement.
Paphiopedilum when not in bloom, it is not much different from other orchids, but with the approach of the flowering plant throws out peduncle, which is tied large unusually shaped flowers. Bright flowers mottled with patches on the side lobes are the main advantage of this orchid.
Their color is very diverse: white, yellow, red, pink, purple, brown, and even green. Due to the unusual shape of a flower pafiopedium also called”Lady’s Slipper”. One of the lobes, the most bizarre is a bag or a shoe and is called lip. Hence the second name of the plant – lady’s slipper.
Flowering from one to three flowers per spike, these kinds of orchids can last quite a long time – from 1 to 3 months.
Note!Dry flower stalk after flowering period should be removed from the plant, cut it in the place where he came out of the socket leaves.
Care, taking into account the preferences of orchids
Pafiopedilum – a difficult flower to grow at home. Knowing the characteristics of care for them, we can cope with these difficulties.
This type of orchid has many varieties, which require certain conditions of detention. They are diverse, they simply do not have the general rules of cultivation.
There are warm – and cold-loving species. Psychrophilic – purely green color leaves require sufficiently low night temperatures (10-12 ° C), can not tolerate daily temperatures above 24 ° C. but can adapt to warmer conditions of detention. Thermophilic – variegated species and hybrids. Night temperature for them should not fall below 15 ° C.
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lighting
lighting that is necessary exotic flower also depends on its type. Greenleaf, which form many flowers are in need of bright ambient light. If the leaves of the orchid speckled or on the shoots appear on one or a couple of flowers, then they will be sufficient and the penumbra. In winter, all kinds of orchids need for additional artificial light to daylight is 12 hours.
Foliage pafiopedilyuma very vulnerable to sunlight, so it is impossible to touch her bright light burning, because the leaves turn yellow and dry up. When Paphiopedilum is in the flowering stage, it is better to protect it from any direct sun to prolong the life of flowers.
Humidification substrate
Pafiopedilum have no explicit period of rest, so it needs a uniform irrigation throughout the year. Care should be taken to the soil substrate is not dry up completely. Conventional watering intervals – from seven to ten days. Almost all members of the genus can not tolerate complete drying of the substrate, so the soil must be kept moist to maintain, but at the same time try to avoid the Gulf of plants. When Watering is very important to make sure that water does not leak into the rosette of leaves, because stagnant water very quickly leads to decay and loss of plants.
There are many factors that determine the frequency of irrigating plants as the soil must dry between watering cycles.
- The intensity of the light.
- The temperature and humidity of the soil and substrate.
- The size of the pot.
The substrate in pots large remains wet longer and can be extended by a day or two break between waterings, while the smaller the size of the pots may require more frequent attention.
Pulling out of the decorative flower container, pour it in the sink or elsewhere, until the water begins to drain freely from the bottom of the vessel.
Important!The pot should not stand in the water, as it will lead to rotting roots.
Watering orchid”Venus bashmachek”[/caption]
Sprinkle bad for the leaves, because they cause brown spots. For this reason, watering should also be carried out carefully to prevent water from falling on the leaves. Once a week the leaves to wash and dry, free of dust and preventing infestation of spider mites.
humidity
Humidity – an important point in the care of this culture. When growing these plants indoors it is recommended to increase the humidity around it. In the heat taken additional measures to address the excessive dryness: put humidifiers, artificial fountains and waterfalls, and is hiding a pot on top of sphagnum. Lack of humidity can not compensate by increasing irrigation. To increase the humidity, it is necessary to put the plant in a tray with water, but to isolate the pot and the roots from contact with water.
Feeding
“Lady’s shoes” fed specialized fertilizer monthly, but with a lower concentration than that recommended for other floral crops. They can not tolerate overfeeding fertilizers, reacting stop growth. Therefore, fertilize them should be much less than other orchids and periodically well washed substrate with a soft water. Paphiopedilum roots are sensitive to dissolved salts, which are present in most of the fertilizer. Fertilizer application is recommended to water the plant thoroughly.
Transplant
Pafiopedilyum transplanted at intervals of three years, at the end of flowering. He responds negatively to this procedure, so caution is needed. For planting acquire a special substrate for orchids.
Additional information!Choosing the right size of the pot, to comfortably accommodate the roots, is an important aspect for the transplant.
You need to make sure that there are drain holes in the bottom or side. On the bottom of the pot is poured drainage layer.
Removed rotten and dead roots. Then, place the plant in a pot and add the moist substrate for orchids, the main components of which are pine bark, charcoal, moss – sphagnum.
Gently shake or tamped the soil in the pot, to fill the space between them roots. After the transplant wait one week, and then thoroughly water the plant.
Multiplication
Pafiopedilum in home conditions can be propagated only through the division of the bush during transplantation into parts containing at least three shoots. Each separated part was placed in a separate container filled with soil mixture. Two weeks after that the plant is not watered.
Spider mite on orchid”Venus bashmachek”[/caption]
Upon detection of any of these pests, the plant need to immediately wash with warm water (40 ° C). If pests were used chemicals. If excess moisture in the soil can be affected root rot, which is manifested flower wilting and rotting appearance on the stems.
Luxuriously blooming pafiopedilumy – orchids, where you can admire endlessly flowering. For many, they are unfamiliar plants. Without careful maintenance pafiopedilumy not bloom.
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