Features of caring for an orchid in winter
In the cold season, indoor plants require an appropriate microclimate. Caring for an orchid in winter at home is different from caring for other seasons, since the culture is thermophilic. The actions of florists depend on the plant variety. For some species, the changes are non-cardinal, for others, the conditions of detention change significantly.
Orchid care in winter
General information
The culture is striking in the variety of varieties. Orchid care in winter is carried out taking into account the distribution of plants into the following groups:
- those that do not fall into a state of rest (papiopedilums (shoes), phalaenopsis, miltonia, wanda);
- with a mild state of rest (oncidiums, cattleyas, dendrobiums and laelias);
- with a pronounced state of dormancy (tunia, kalanta, playone and several types of dendrobiums).
For the first group, winter care activities are slightly different from those in warm seasons. For the second, watering and feeding are reduced. To care for species that go into a state of complete rest, it is worth following some rules.
Watering and moisturizing
Life processes of all varieties of culture slow down in winter. If you add water in the same quantities, the plants will not have time to consume it. For this reason, the doses and frequency of watering are reduced to once every 1.5-2 weeks. The need for water in the culture is determined by the change in the color of the roots. Healthy ones have a light green or lilac hue. If the roots turn gray, be sure to water it.
Plants are saturated with moisture by placing the pots in containers of water, then allowing the liquid to drain. Immediately after watering, it is forbidden to place the orchid on the windowsill, since in winter the temperature near the window drops. The roots will continue to absorb the already cooled liquid from the container under the pot. This will entail the development of fungal and bacterial diseases. To prevent them, foam plastic is placed under the vessel, and the flower is placed in a pots with a special recess. This provides him with thermal insulation and does not allow the roots to overcool.
Varieties with a pronounced dormant state are not watered at all. They require complete drying of the soil. This is done so that new shoots cut through in the spring, since the leaves disappear altogether.
Central heating reduces air humidity to 30-40%. This factor provokes infection of the plant with a spider mite. In order to neutralize pests, the flower is irrigated with water dust, and not with a jet.
Caring for an orchid in winter does not include spraying it, since this contributes to the stagnation of water in the leaf axils. Humidity is increased in the following ways:
- the plant is installed near an aquarium or decorative fountain;
- a damp towel is periodically hung on the battery;
- equip pallets into which pebbles are poured, poured with water and covered with a lattice, a pot with a flower should be placed on top;
- use special devices.
If the plants are placed under a warm shower (only species that do not hibernate), they are left in the bathroom overnight after the procedure.Thanks to this, the culture is saturated with moisture. Also, in this way, the development of rot is prevented: excess water evaporates overnight.
Temperature regime
Caring for orchids in winter involves maintaining the optimum temperature. According to these conditions, 3 groups are distinguished:
- Heat-loving. Indicators for representatives of this class should not fall below 15 ° C. This includes phalaenopsis, slippers, hemaria, anectochillus, etc.
- Those that perfectly tolerate a wide range of temperatures. The optimal indicators at which plants feel good in winter are 12-15 ° С. They also adapt to higher temperatures.
- Cold-loving. Indicators should not exceed 10-12 ° C. Violation of the temperature regime for varieties of this group entails the lack of flowering. The representatives include cellogyne, odontoglossum, cymbidium, etc. In the apartment they are placed in the lower part of the window opening, if there is no battery nearby.
You need to keep indoor plants on the windowsill so that they do not come into contact with the glass. In cold winters, the orchid is removed from the window completely or protection is installed using foam plastic.
Flowers respond well to fresh air. If a window is opened for the purpose of airing, the plants are removed from the windowsill for a certain time, otherwise they freeze. Culture also does not tolerate drafts.
Temperature regime for orchids in winter
Lighting
When growing an orchid, caring for it in autumn and winter provides for additional lighting. Daylight hours are provided for 10-12 hours, otherwise the plant will not lay flower buds. For this purpose, fluorescent lamps with an average power of about 60 watts are used. They are placed on top at a distance of 20-30 cm. Under artificial lighting, the culture can overwinter away from the window.
If additional lighting is not performed, for better illumination, the flower is placed on the windowsill from the south side. The plant will be too dark on the north window. When the culture does not have enough light, external signs appear: the leaves stretch out and become dull.
Other features of winter care
In preparation for the cold season in the fall, the stem is shortened after flowering. This contributes to the secondary appearance of flowers. Also, under favorable conditions of detention, children may appear.
During the wintering of the culture, fertilizing in most cases is not performed. It is stopped after the plant has bloomed, since the need for nutrients is reduced. Fertilizing is not a good idea to stimulate growth. Representatives of varieties that do not hibernate are fed. For this, the concentration of funds is reduced by 4 times. They are used once a month.
It is undesirable to replant orchids in winter. It is better to provide them with peace so that the plants grow stronger before the onset of the active flowering period. Many species come out of dormancy in the fall and begin to grow a peduncle. It is formed for several months, then flowering falls in the winter. During this period, they are also not disturbed. The transplant is carried out in a number of cases:
- the root system is sick;
- the top rots;
- culture does not hibernate.
The flower is transported in winter according to certain rules. At temperatures from 5 ° C to -5 ° C, the plant is packed in several layers of paper, which is held together. In cold weather, it is also wrapped in a plastic bag. At rates below -5 ° C, a heat-insulating material is given on top of the paper. At home, the packaging is not removed immediately so that the plant does not suffer from a sharp temperature drop.
Conclusion
It is worth caring for an orchid in winter according to its type. For each, determine the irrigation mode, temperature. There are guidelines that apply to all varieties. The most common type of phalaenopsis often suffers from pests and diseases in winter. Their development is prevented by taking proper care of the plants. These manipulations promote good flowering after a dormant period.