No wonder orchids are considered royal flowers. Especially distinguished among them are still plants with red flowers. This flower will decorate any interior and will be a wonderful gift to a close and dear person.
In nature, the red color of orchids is rare - mostly all red varieties were bred selectively. We will talk about the peculiarities of growing such flowers in our article. You can also watch a useful video on this topic.
What is this flower?
In a botanical sense, Orchids, or Orchids, or Orchids (Orchidáceae), are a family of plants from the order Asparagaceae. This is an ancient family that appeared on Earth in the Late Cretaceous era. In the generally accepted concept of what is called orchids - this is several genera of Orchids, most often the genus Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Cattleya. Are there red orchids, and how they look - we will tell you in detail later.
Appearance
Habitual, densely cultivated plants are generally represented by perennial flowering herbs. The flower is the main focus of attention of landscape designers, flower growers and breeders.
One of the remarkable features of an orchid is the presence of aerial roots.. They absorb moisture from the air, participate on a par with the leaves in the process of photosynthesis and help the plant to become stronger in the substrate.
A photo
Look at the orchids that have red color:
Sorta
There are a lot of varieties with red flowers of different brightness.. Of the genus falenposis red flowers have varieties:
- Pink.
- Anastasia.
- Anthura Bellinzona.
- Anthura Montreux.
- Anthura Marseille.
- Big Smile, etc.
Among cambria red flowers stand out:
- Colmanara Massai Red.
- Colmanara Wildcat Bobcat.
- Wilsonara Firecracker Red, etc.
Inference history
Orchids were known to the botanist’s father Theophrastus - in his writings he described several plant species. Mention of them can be found in the Aztecs, May, the Chinese, the Japanese, and many other nations.
Attempts of domestication and hybridization began around the 17-18 centuries. The first hybrid was able to bring John Ceden in 1875. A few more primary hybrids were created by the beginning of the XX century. Throughout the century, various breeding varieties were reproduced. Breeders sought unusual shapes and colors.
Currently, various hybrids are displayed. The difficulty in selection causes the sterility of the forms obtained and the practical impossibility of fixing the necessary traits in a generation.
Care
Red orchids unpretentious to the conditions of detentionHowever, they also have their own limits of optimum lighting, ambient temperature and watering. Observe them is easy, and even a beginner grower can handle the care of these orchids.
Lighting
Red orchids are light-loving plants. North shaded windows will not suit them. However, they should not be placed under the scorching rays of the sun - leaves and flowers can get sunburn. The optimum location is the east or southeast window. With a lack of lighting leaves will lose their brightness.
Board: In winter, you can use a fluorescent lamp to increase the daylight hours.
Temperature
Historically, orchids are tropical and heat-loving plants, although they are already accustomed to the conditions of the Russian climate.. At the same time, the temperature optimum fluctuates around +25 degrees with fluctuations of 3 degrees in both directions.
The night temperature should not fall below +18 degrees, therefore it is not recommended to leave red orchids on the windowsill in winter - the temperature drops from cold glass.
Watering and moisture
Plants tolerate aridity due to aerial roots. At the same time, it is impossible to leave a red orchid without water at all. In the summer and in hot weather, watering is carried out once every 3-5 days, in winter, and also during the rest period - once a week.
Watering a flower is best in the morning.. Water should be separated at room temperature.
In addition, you need to maintain the level of humidity by spraying the plant from a spray bottle or placing it in a pot with a tray in which a certain level of liquid is maintained.
Top dressing
For red orchids there are two types of dressing:
- root;
- foliar.
Root fertilizer is used most often. There are special fertilizers for orchids of different types and varieties.. Universal fertilizer when applied diluted by 2-3 times to prevent burns of the root system. A foliar dressing is used when the root system is damaged, as well as with chlorosis and fluoride. Fertilizer is applied to the leaves and aerial roots.
Fertilizers are not allowed on flowers and buds. Each type of feeding is used separately. You cannot use both types of fertilizer at the same time.
Transfer
As the root system develops, red orchids need to be periodically transplanted, replacing the substrate. The adult plant is transplanted once every two years after flowering, young and growing - once a year.
Stages of transplantation:
Selection of a transparent bowl or pot, preferably with a tray.- Preparing the substrate - you can buy it in the store or prepare it yourself. Homemade substrate is made from wood bark, peat, charcoal and sphagnum).
- The substrate is placed in a prepared container for 2/3, leaving room for the roots.
- The flower, together with the root system, is removed from the old container, the substrate is removed, the roots are inspected. If necessary, cut off the old and drying roots.
- The plant is placed in a new container and left for a few days in a sparing mode - in a shaded place with a single watering the next day after transplantation.
Selection of a transparent bowl or pot, preferably with a tray.We recommend watching the orchid transplant video:
Breeding
Orchid can be propagated using vegetative processes. Most often they are formed after flowering.
The plant, which is planning to multiply, is transferred to a warmer and more humid mode. After the formation of layers and the appearance on them of two or three air roots and leaves, they are disconnected from the mother plant and transplanted into a new bowl.
Pests and diseases
- A frequent unwelcome guest is spider mite. Its activity is indicated by the appearance of a silver cobweb on the leaves from the outside and small black dots from the inside. The fight against ticks is carried out in several stages - they increase the humidity, treat the plant itself and its neighbors with means from a spider mite.
- Amaze red orchids and fungal infections - growths and ring-shaped spots, darkening of leaves and air roots indicate invasion by fungi. Most often occur in violation of the irrigation regime. In the fight against fungi, the plant needs to be transplanted into a new, clean substrate at the final stage of treatment.
- Pests are aphid, whitefly, shields. Fighting them comes down to the destruction of insect eggs and the removal of adult and larval stages.
We recommend watching a video about pests and diseases of orchids:
Conclusion
Orchids are not difficult to care, and their simplicity and beauty will decorate any room, regardless of the design decision. With proper care, phalaenopsis long please the eye with its flowers.
