The wonderful world of Asian countries in itself is already a surprise for us. It conceals a lot of strange, but incredibly pleasant, exotic, sometimes pungent and fiery tastes and smells, the aromas of the ocean and the colorful colors of local life. One of the most vivid memories of a trip to Vietnam can be colorful orchids, which are a symbol of youth, spring and prosperity.
A beautiful flower can be brought to our harsh climate, and it will fill your home with the drunken aromas of the east, reminding you of colorful impressions and unusual local flavor.
Vietnamese orchids in the wild usually grow on the trunks of tall, large trees, in damp places with good lighting. There are two types of orchids growing in the wild: aerial and terrestrial. In aerial orchids, roots grow into tree trunks, and branches with leaves and flowers hang down. Terrestrial ones grow with their roots into the soil or depressions in rocks where there are organic remains. Ground orchids are larger, have dense leaves and bright flowers, while aerial orchids are delicate, with a milder aroma.
The most common orchids in Vietnam are:
Dendrobium (lat. Dendrobium) is a striking representative of aerial orchids (epiphytes). This is one of the most diverse and numerous genus of the orchid family in terms of species. All of them differ not only in size and color, but also in the characteristics of their structure and flowering. Flowers of the smallest species can reach several millimeters in diameter, while the largest ones grow up to 2 meters in height. Since most species are from Southeast Asia, Dendrobium prefers tropical temperatures and fairly high humidity with good diffused light. Recently, hybrid species of the genus Dendrobium have become very popular due to their unpretentiousness. The most popular of them are Dendrobium phalaenopsis and Dendrobium nobilis.
You may be interested not only in orchids from Vietnam, but also in a video on replanting Dendrobium orchids and a video on propagating Dendrobium orchids.
Cymbidium (lat. Cymbidium) is one of the most beautiful species of the orchid family. Due to its appearance, this orchid has become the most popular for cutting. Also refers to orchids as epiphytic orchids. In nature, there are about 60 different pure and hybrid species of cymbidium with a diverse distribution halo - from the tropical forests of South and Southeast Asia to the cool mountainous regions of Indochina and Australia. The leaves of such orchids are narrow and long, and can be either pointed or rounded towards the edge. The flowers are distinguished by a riot of colors and a fairly strong but pleasant aroma.
Paphiopedilum (lat. Paphiopedilum or Lady's slipper) is one of the most recognizable genera of the Orchidaceae family. The name is associated with the unusual structure of the lip, which forms a pocket in the lower part, reminiscent of the toe of a shoe. This genus includes about 60 natural species and up to 1000 interspecific hybrid species. Paphiopedilum is an epiphytic or semi-epiphytic plant with evergreen leaves and a single waxy flower on a peduncle (most often). Many types of Venus's slippers are quite decorative and suitable for growing indoors.
Bulbophyllum (lat. Bulbophyllum) are recognizable representatives of the Orchidaceae family. These plants are mostly ephytypic, but there are also lithophytic specimens that grow in lowland and mountainous areas of tropical forests. Externally, they are single-flowered and multi-flowered plants with single-leaved pseudobulbs. The most prominent representatives of the genus Bulbophyllum (B.): B. Ambrosia, B. Lobba, B. Medusa, B. Blunt, B. Frosty and many others.
Of course, this is not the entire list of orchid species that grow in the exotic environment of Southeast Asia; a lifetime is not enough to tell about everything. Therefore, it is better to see this indescribable beauty at least once, and to see it with your own eyes, in order to imprint these memories for not the best days in the world. But remember that you can always make a fairy garden at home, you just need a lot of desire and a little patience.
The choice of pot is an important detail in the planting process. Epiphyte roots need a sufficient amount of light, so it is better to give preference to a transparent polymer flowerpot. Sometimes orchids are placed in glass vases, which emphasizes their beauty and elegance, but when exposed to direct sunlight, the delicate roots of the plant can get burned.
Considering that the root system of this type of flower does not grow deep, but superficially horizontally, the container should be chosen wider and less deep. For full development, an orchid needs good air exchange, so the pot should have many holes in the bottom. To reduce the risk of the development of fungi and bacteria, you can make holes on the side walls of the container for additional aeration. It is good to fill the flowerpot 1/3 of the volume with drainage from sea or river pebbles.
Video “Planting Rules”
From the video you will learn about the rules for planting orchids at home.
Substrate preparation
The substrate with which the plastic pot is filled must correspond to the needs of the plant and the conditions of detention. When the air in the room is dry, a more moisture-intensive mixture is used, which consists of the main components: bark of coniferous trees (pine, spruce, larch, pine), sphagnum moss, charcoal in a ratio of 5:2:1 with a substrate particle size of about 2 cm. Using Only these components, but taken in different proportions, can be used to create substrates with high or medium moisture capacity.
So, for very moisture-intensive ones, pine bark and peat are selected in a 1:1 ratio. If it is necessary to create soil with average moisture capacity, use coniferous bark and peat in a ratio of 7:1. To improve the nutritional properties of the substrate, you can add crushed fern roots, a little high peat, coconut fibers and chips. It is better to use natural components for drainage: pebbles, gravel, since clay expanded clay, due to the content of cavities, can take moisture from plants with low watering.
In flower shops you can choose a suitable mixture for planting orchids at home. But it must be remembered that the substrate must allow liquid to pass through well and retain a minimum amount of moisture, have good breathability and antiseptic properties in order to avoid the development of putrefactive bacteria and fungi. It is good to use charcoal for this purpose. However, its share in the substrate should not exceed 5% of the entire mixture. Despite the positive antiseptic and hygroscopic properties of coal, over time it becomes an accumulator of salts, negatively affecting the pH of the substrate. Instead of charcoal, dried apple and peach leaves can be added to the soil in small quantities, which help prevent the development of putrefactive microorganisms.
It is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the substrate, monitor the root system and control the degree of humidity. At the first signs of destruction of fragments of the mixture, partial or complete replacement of the decomposed soil is carried out.
Landing
Before planting an orchid in new soil, you need to prepare everything you need in advance. Thoroughly treat the pot with a 2% soda solution, rinse under running water and rinse with hot water (70 C). Mix the substrate mixture in the required proportion. Prepare a sharp knife or blade for trimming damaged plant fragments and charcoal powder to treat the cut area.
There is nothing complicated about how to plant an orchid in a pot yourself. It is recommended to replant this flower between waterings, when the roots have already dried and there is not much moisture left in the substrate.
The plant must first be prepared for planting. The flower along with the substrate is carefully removed from the flowerpot, which will be more convenient to cut into pieces. Then it is thoroughly washed in settled water at room temperature.
The roots are freed from substrate fragments. An inspection of the roots and leaves is carried out for the presence of dry and rotten ones. Damaged areas are cut off with a sharp knife or blade disinfected with an antiseptic. The cut areas are treated with charcoal powder (crushed activated carbon) and garlic tincture. After this, the plant remains for 2 hours at room temperature to dry the leaves, roots and dry out the cut areas.
Please note that planting epiphytic plants is slightly different from plants with a tap root system. Therefore, there are several ways to transplant an orchid at home.
The first method is suitable for Phalaenopsis and Vanda orchids. The pot must be selected with drainage holes and transparent walls to be able to monitor the condition of the root system. Be sure to install drainage made of granite crushed stone and large pebbles. The substrate is selected large enough (more than 2 cm) for good air exchange. To avoid rotting of the leaves when planting, the base of the flower is immersed shallowly in the substrate and remains slightly raised above the surface. To avoid waterlogging in the depths of the pot, since usually the soil begins to dry out at the top but is wet inside, a large piece of polystyrene foam is placed in the center.
The second method is suitable for moisture-loving orchids that do not tolerate stagnant water and require good aeration for their root system. These include oncidiums, miltonias, masdevallias, draculas, and bulbophyllums. They require strong drainage, filling 1⁄2 of a pot with a piece of foam in the center. The substrate layer is no more than 10 cm, and for some species (bulbophyllums) 2-3 cm is enough. Moss is laid only on the surface in a thin layer.
The third method is suitable for sympodial orchids. A shallow substrate is not suitable for this species. The pot is filled evenly with large waterproof drainage. This type of plant grows as a bulb closer to the edge to allow the formation of new growths.
When choosing the composition of the soil, as an exotic option, planting an orchid in a filler made of natural bottle caps is used. Crushed pine cones are used as a resuscitation substrate. Or a block base is formed from whole ones to place a flower on it.
Nowadays it has become popular to grow orchid seedlings in bottles brought from Thailand. These babies feel great on a substrate of poplar bark and crushed coconut.
Another exotic flower from Vietnam has appeared, which is interesting to grow indoors. Having paid attention to it, the question immediately arises of how to plant an orchid bulb yourself. It should be noted that the roots of this bulb are completely dry, so its lower part is placed on the orchid substrate. And watering is done only when the planted bulb sprouts its first roots, otherwise there will be a risk of rotting.
Securing the flower after planting
After planting, it is advisable to secure the flower firmly to ensure complete rooting. To do this, metal flower holders are purchased from a specialized garden center. This support, like a frame, is stuck into the ground, and the flower is placed inside.
Due to this, the flower is well fixed and is no longer subject to various fluctuations that negatively affect rooting. If there is no such support, three wooden pegs are placed on the sides of the pot, and the plant is tied to them until it takes root and grows.
Video “Planting Miltonia”
The video will tell you how to properly plant the Miltonia orchid.
The splendor of the orchid cannot leave any amateur gardener indifferent. Although growing orchids at home requires special knowledge and patience, by giving these plants the proper attention and care, you can enjoy their beautiful flowers for many months.
Orchids from East Asia or South America are most suitable for growing at home. In total, breeders have bred about 90 thousand varieties of this plant. To choose the right variety for home cultivation, you need to take into account the temperature in the room where the flower will be located. For example, cattleyas need a warm room, while paphiopedilums or Vietnamese orchids thrive at low temperatures.
When purchasing a plant in a store, inspect the roots of the flower. Green or red root tips mean the plant is healthy; if the roots are brown or gray, it means they are starting to rot. Leaves should be firm, green, and free of gray or brown spots. It is desirable that the plant have both blooming flowers and buds. The container with the flower should have a label with the name of the orchid.
Advice! If the outside temperature is below 6˚C, the orchid must be well packed in several layers of thick paper.
Reproduction and planting
There is no need to replant a newly purchased orchid. Planting orchids is necessary when the leaves of the plant begin to protrude far beyond the edge of the pot.
- It is replanted after flowering has ended. You need to carefully remove the plant from the pot so as not to damage the roots, inspect them, cut off dry and rotten ends.
- Do not try to plant an orchid in garden soil! It requires a special substrate, since in nature it grows on tree trunks and even on piles of garbage. Therefore, it is better to purchase soil for planting in the store.
- In addition, it is important to choose the right pot; it should allow air to pass easily and retain a minimum of moisture at the roots. These can be wicker baskets or flower pots, nets that can hold the substrate,
- Be sure to put drainage at the bottom of the pot, preferably broken brick or crushed stone. Then pour the substrate, place the plant in the pot and carefully fill the space between the roots with soil. The growth point must be left on the surface. Lightly moisten the substrate and place the flower in a shaded place for several days.
When the orchid grows, it can be propagated. Reproduction is possible in several ways.
- Reproduction with the help of children. Babies appear in plants that are in rooms with high air temperatures, as well as when fertilized with nitrogen fertilizers. New plants with formed roots are carefully separated and planted in pots.
- Reproduction by layering. With this method of propagation, a long stem without leaves is placed on sphagnum moss in a nearby pot. Place a plastic container over the stem as a greenhouse and wait for the sleeping buds to awaken. This happens in about a month. When new orchids grow from the buds, they are separated from the mother plant and planted.
- Propagation by cuttings. Cut off approximately half the upper part of the stem with several aerial roots and plant it in the substrate in the same way as an adult plant. The remaining part of the stem is often sprayed so that side shoots grow from the adventitious buds. When the shoots form roots, they can be separated and planted in pots.
- Propagation by seeds. At home, propagation by seeds is not the best way, since it requires special conditions and takes a lot of time. The process must take place under sterile conditions; seeds germinate in 3 to 8 months. The emerging seedlings are grown for 1.5-2 years until adulthood. But they can bloom only after 2-4 years. Therefore, this is more of a laboratory method.
- But Vietnamese orchids can reproduce by bulbs, also called bulbs. The bulbs are sold in markets and are quite affordable; they are often brought back from trips to Vietnam as a souvenir. Therefore, many gardeners are interested in: how to plant an orchid from Vietnam?
To do this, you will need a special substrate and a transparent pot. The bulb should be planted in the ground only with the lower part, making a support for it so that it does not fall, or simply place it on the substrate, slightly pressing it into the ground. The plant is placed in a well-lit place, avoiding sunlight. The bulb is not watered until the roots appear. A transparent pot is just what you need to see them. There is no need to be afraid that it will dry out; it contains enough moisture and nutrients.
Caring for orchids: maintenance conditions, watering, feeding
In order for plants to delight you with their luxurious flowering for a long time, you need to create comfortable conditions for them and properly organize their care.
- Proper lighting is very important when caring for orchids. Plants need a lot of light, but they need to be protected from direct sunlight so that the leaves do not get burned. The duration of daylight for the normal development of an orchid should be at least 12 hours, that is, in winter it needs additional lighting, preferably using fluorescent lamps. Dark green leaves indicate insufficient light, while yellowed leaves indicate too much light.
- In order for an orchid to bloom for a long time, you need to maintain the difference between day and night temperatures. This is 4-5˚ for heat-loving species and up to 7˚ for cold-resistant ones.
- Care in the form of watering is to create conditions for the plant that are close to natural. Under natural conditions, most species absorb moisture from the air and therefore cannot tolerate stagnant moisture in the pot. Therefore, it is necessary to water when the substrate becomes dry, 2 times a week in summer, and 1 time in winter. The water should be soft and warm, preferably melt or rain, you can use boiled water. Plants in a pot are watered from above, those growing in baskets or nets are immersed in water for 5 minutes. Then be sure to let the excess drain off.
- Orchids need to create optimal air humidity - 65-80%. If the air humidity in the room is low, you can place the plants on special trays with grates. Water is poured into the bottom of the pan, and the grate prevents the roots from coming into contact with it. In hot weather, you can spray the plants with warm water.
- Also, when caring for the plant, you need to regularly ventilate the room in which the orchids are located, but avoid drafts.
- Orchids are fed only with fertilizers specially designed for them, no more than 2 times a month during flowering. In the cold season and after flowering, fertilizing is not needed. Care in the form of excessive fertilizing has a negative impact on the viability of the plant. Ideally, if the flower grows in the correct substrate, which is replaced after 2-3 years, no feeding is required.
Disease detection and prevention
Failure to follow the rules for caring for an orchid can lead to the appearance of pests and disease infection. The occurrence of these problems can be determined by external signs.
- Limp leaves mean that the temperature regime is disturbed or the roots are damaged.
- Cracks in the middle of the leaves can appear due to sudden temperature changes if not properly cared for.
- Leaves rot or dry out. The plant is affected by mites that hide in the middle of the leaf rosettes. It is necessary to treat the leaves with special acaricidal preparations.
- There are black spots, holes, growths on the leaves. Most likely, the plant was burned by direct sunlight.
- Silvery web on the leaves. The reason is spider mite infestation; acaricidal medications are also needed.
- The orchid grows poorly and does not bloom. Infection with nematodes is possible; they feed on the sap of the plant and inhibit its growth. Treatment with special chemicals is required.
So, caring for orchids is not an easy task. But the beauty of its flowers, which can be admired for up to 8 months a year, will pay off all the efforts. In the interior of an apartment, flowers look elegant and original. You can place plants in the living room, bedroom and even the bathroom, as long as it is spacious enough and has enough lighting. Moreover, the air humidity there will be very comfortable for the orchid. But it is not advisable to keep it in the kitchen, since the air in the kitchen is usually hot and dry.
If you properly organize the care of this capricious flower and follow all the above recommendations, long-blooming orchids will become a luxurious decoration for your home.
Tourists very often bring orchids from Vietnam - this is an inexpensive, wonderful gift, thanks to which wonderful tropical flowers take up residence in our apartments. Having visited the Vietnamese flower market, it is simply impossible not to buy orchid seedlings or bulbs to grow at home. But for everything to work out, you need to know how to plant an orchid bulb from the country of Vietnam.
Description
Orchids from Vietnam are brought terrestrial; they grow in their homeland, where a sufficient amount of garbage and humus has accumulated on the ground. And there are also airy tree trunks that prefer tree trunks to garbage, into which their roots grow, and stems, leaves and flowers simply hang in the air. Tourists usually bring a bulbous tuber (or bulb) of terrestrial species; it can be planted in a pot, create comfortable conditions, then in a few years the exotic plant will delight us with its amazingly beautiful, already beloved flowering.
We receive different varieties of terrestrial orchids; they differ from each other in size, shape and color of flowers. The care required is almost the same for all plants. The color of Paphiopedilum Vietnamese is the most varied. The lower petal of its flower is a kind of pocket, strongly reminiscent of the shoe of a fairy-tale elf. Paphiopedilum Appleton forms a large (at least 10 cm in diameter) flower, made in brown-violet tones. It has a very pleasant aroma. The peduncle of Paphiopedilum siamese holds only one flower of a lilac-green color, and the lower petal is brown.
The orange-green flowers of the beautiful Paphiopedilum are quite large, their diameter reaches 8 cm. Green veins and black specks are clearly visible on their petals. Paphiopedilum single-flowered blooms earlier than other varieties; on its short peduncle there are usually no more than two fragrant flowers with a diameter of up to 7 cm. Paphiopedilum beardedum differs from all others in the color of not only the petals (burgundy with a light border and red-brown bottom), but even the leaves . Quite unusual light green leaves have dark spots - no need to think about diseases, they just have that color. The waxy yellow single flowers of Paphiopedilum Elena provide color for at least three months of the year.
Bright flowers with an amazing lower petal, an exquisite exotic aroma, large dark green leaves, a strong massive stem, the orchid cannot leave you indifferent.
Video "Description"
From the video you will learn what this flower looks like and what is remarkable about it.
Landing
Increasingly, questions arise about how to plant an orchid from Vietnam, how to grow a full-fledged plant from a bulb in an apartment.
If you receive seedlings, then you need to keep them for some time in the container in which they arrived, and plant them only when they clearly do not have enough space. Most often they are grown, which means they are brought in bottles. But if you brought or were given a bulb, then you need to plant it as soon as possible.
The name “orchid” means “egg”; it is the bulb (bulb) that needs to be planted that looks like a large strange egg. It is advisable to take transparent plastic dishes so that you can see everything that is happening there and observe the growth of the roots. A container or small food pail works great. Some gardeners prefer to take dishes with small holes all over the walls; you can cut them yourself to increase air access to the substrate.
Several large pebbles are placed at the bottom (it must have one or more holes) to increase the weight and stability of the pot. Then a drainage layer is poured; for it you can take expanded clay, clay shards or just small pebbles. And the substrate is placed on top. For those who have never encountered growing orchids, it is best to buy a ready-made mixture in the store; it is very difficult to correctly select all the components of this “cocktail”, which contains many different components, but land is not among them. The substrate for orchids consists of the bark of coniferous trees, sphagnum moss, coconut chips, and some other substances, such as special rockwool fiber.
The prepared substrate is poured into the pot and watered. Then the bulb is placed on it, slightly deepening only its lower part, no more than one centimeter. For stability, you need to substitute a strong stick. The plant planted in this way is placed in a lighted place and waiting for new roots to sprout from the tuber.
As soon as they touch the substrate, you can water them for the first time. There is no need to worry if this happens no earlier than a month after planting - the fleshy bulb contains all the necessary substances for its existence and the formation of roots. If you water too early, the plant may rot.
Transplantation
Orchids need to be replanted frequently, because the substrate quickly deteriorates, it becomes too dense, and its acidity changes. So flowers growing on sphagnum are replanted every two years, on bark every three years. Sometimes you have to do this more often if pests appear, if the substrate clearly begins to deteriorate (which can be indicated by an unpleasant odor), if improper watering has led to rotting of the roots. The best time for this is spring, when the flower grows most actively.
For transplantation, take new transparent dishes of a slightly larger size and a new substrate. In the same way, stones and a drainage layer are placed on the bottom, then the substrate itself is placed. The flower is watered abundantly so that it can be removed without causing the slightest harm. Sometimes you have to sacrifice an old pot; it is broken or cut if the substrate has become so compacted that even after watering it is not possible to remove the plant. The roots of the plant are placed in warm water to completely free it from the old substrate. If there are damaged or rotten roots or leaves, they should be carefully cut off and the cut areas should be sprinkled with crushed coal.
The plant is placed in a new pot, the substrate is added, lightly tapping the pot so that it is better distributed. After planting, water the plant; if moisture gets on the growing point, it is better to get it wet. The root collar should be above the substrate, a centimeter below the edge of the pot.
Growing
Vietnamese orchids, like everyone else, love warm, moist air and sunlight. Usually they are placed on windows, but if you choose a south window, you will have to slightly shade the delicate plant from direct sunlight in the summer; it is best to place the flower on a table near the window. There will be little light from the north side; in winter you will have to add a fluorescent lamp.
The air temperature should not fall below +18 degrees, but at night it is advisable that it should not be higher than +20 degrees. This guest from the tropics will not like dry air; the humidity should be at least 50%, even better if it is 70%. The plant needs to be fed monthly with a special composition, which is purchased in specialized flower shops. But you need to water only when the substrate is completely dry - transparent dishes help determine this time accurately. More frequent watering leads to rotting of the roots and death of the plant.
Orchids are watered differently from ordinary indoor flowers. She loves sprinkling; it can be done in the bathroom using a shower. The pot with the plant is placed in the bathtub, slightly warm water is added, and the plant is watered with a gentle stream from the shower until the substrate is saturated with water. Then the pot is left for a while until the excess water drains out, and the flower is returned to its place. Or you can place the pot in a container (basin, large saucepan) with water, through the holes the substrate will absorb as much water as it needs, then let the excess water drain and return the pot to the windowsill. It is better to water in the morning or afternoon, so that by evening the above-ground part of the plant dries out and is no longer wet.
Caring for an orchid cannot be called difficult, it’s just that this flower has unusual needs for us, but like any plant, the Vietnamese beauty prefers to be watered, fed, and simply loved.
Video "Growing"
In the video, an experienced gardener will tell you how to grow an orchid at home.
2018-01-28T11:48:08+00:00 adminOrchid care
How to properly grow orchids from Vietnam Tourists very often bring orchids from Vietnam - this is an inexpensive, wonderful gift, thanks to which wonderful tropical flowers take up residence in our apartments. Having visited the Vietnamese flower market, it is simply impossible not to buy orchid seedlings or bulbs to grow at home. But for everything to work out, you need to know how to plant...
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