Orchid is the pride and dream of any florist. This beautiful flower belongs to the epiphytic class and requires special care.
Special attention should be paid to the leaves of an exotic plant. After all, they take an active part in the process of vital activity of the tropical culture.
Therefore, it is important to know how to provide optimal care for the growth of healthy orchid leaves.
Plant life cycle
The life cycle of an orchid, like any other indoor plant, consists of two periods - growth and rest. Their duration depends on the environmental conditions.
Exotic culture has two phases of rest - biological and forced rest. When a new shoot grows, the flower moves into a phase of biological rest. At this time, an orchid grows, growth and growth buds and sometimes flower buds are laid and formed. After completing these processes, the indoor plant is ready for growth.
Important! If certain conditions are not met - temperature, humidity, lighting, etc., then the flower goes into a state of rest, waiting for comfortable conditions for the growth of new shoots, leaves and flowers.
Leaves are of particular importance for epiphytic culture. Thanks to leafy plates and rhizomes, orchids maintain water balance, evaporate moisture and receive nutrients. In the process of respiration of photosynthesis foliage also take an important part.
The structure of the leaves depends on the habitat of an exotic culture. Orchids that grow in arid regions have dense and fleshy leaves. Flowers grown in the bright sun, have thickened leaves, and in the shade - thin, folded.
Description of leaves
A healthy leaf of an orchid has a strong, dense structure and firmly rests on the stem. The most common color of the leaves of this plant is a pale green shade. But the foliage of many representatives of orchids has a variegated color.
Some types of exotic cultures are grown precisely because of the decorative features of the leaves, and their inflorescences are not at all attractive. For example, anectochilus, hemorrhage, makodes. Often they are called "precious orchids" or "variegated jewels."
What color is considered a deviation from the norm?
- Any deviation from green or motley hues is a sign of ailment of a houseplant.
- Yellow color may indicate wilting or drying of foliage, improper care or overdose with mineral fertilizers.
- Purple color is a sign of damage to the leaves by the sun.
- Excessive light is indicated by a reddish, brown shade of foliage.
- Dark brown or even black leaves indicate an infectious disease of a flower, for example, rot.
Simple or complex?
Orchid leaves are simple, alternate. Each tropical plant can have one or more of them. Basically they are whole and whole extreme. The leaf plate in flowers is simple, arc venation.
What is the location of the flower?
Most orchids have a two-row, regular leaf arrangement.
How many should there be?
HA healthy, blooming orchid has a succulent, glossy, fleshy foliage. The lower leaves grow older, turn yellow and dry as a result of the physiological process. Instead of them, a young sprout appears from the socket. The number of leaves depends on the orchid variety. Phalaenopsis, for example, for a year should increase approximately 2-3 leaves.
A photo
We invite you to familiarize yourself with what the orchid leaves look like in the photo.
Care
At home, a tropical plant requires special care.
Important! Exotic beauty leaves should be regularly cleaned with a damp cloth, eliminating dust. The flower should be sprayed - preferably 5 times a day, excluding the flowering period.
Water for irrigation is recommended to use filtered, clean, with a temperature of 35-40ºС. Orchids like humidity, preferably 50-60%. Placing a flower pot is not recommended on the sunny side. Direct sunlight can leave a burn on the leaves.
Weekly it is necessary to inspect the foliage for insect damage.
Possible problems and solutions
On the leaves of exotic culture should pay close attention. Many different diseases are associated with them. Sluggish and lifeless - a clear sign of improper care.
Rot
Some diseases lead to a change in the color of the leaf plate. At first small specks appear, then leaves get a red or brown shade - it is rot. In this case, it is necessary to cut the damaged areas with a sharp knife, wipe the wounds with crushed coal and treat the plant with a copper-containing agent.
Anthracnose
Small, round, clear brown spots are a sign of anthracnose. Leaf areas become black indented and form dents. When running, a yellowish or pinkish bloom may form. Often the disease is provoked by too high air humidity and stagnation of water in the leaf axils.
Affected areas must be cut and burned. Cutting places must be treated with coal or ash. Three times with a break of 10 days you need to process the flower copper-containing drug. Then reduce watering and stop feeding.
Mealy dew
White scurf on the leaves and buds suggests that the houseplant is affected by powdery mildew. Subsequently, the damaged areas begin to dry, and soon the plant eventually flower dies. Provides disease greenhouse effect - high humidity and high temperature. Treatment must begin immediately. The solution of colloidal sulfur and the drugs Scor or Topsin-M are well fought with powdery mildew.
Frostbite
Drafts and low temperatures can cause freezing. In this case, the leaves are rolled into a rag. In order not to develop rot frostbitten areas are cut off.
The foliage of a healthy green orchid with a brilliant wax coating no stains or damage. Any deviation from this description is evidence that the plant is not comfortable or is completely affected by the disease.
