Tropical orchids are the most popular among the many orchid varieties, so how should they be cared for?
Tropical orchids are also simply called foreign orchids, and they include many species, such as Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Dendrobium, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum, Vanda, Cymbidium, and others. Tropical orchids have relatively large flowers, many blooms, and very unusual and attractive flower shapes; the flowering period is long, reaching about 3 months; the growing medium for these orchids is not soil, but bark, moss, and the like, and they have very few pests and diseases, so they can keep the home clean and tidy. Therefore, in recent years they have become a popular potted flower for people.
Currently, the most popular tropical orchids on the flower market are:
1. Phalaenopsis. Because of its drooping flowers, this flower is named after a dancing butterfly and is called the "Queen of Orchids." Long stems open butterfly-shaped flowers from bottom to top, and they can be enjoyed continuously for 60 days to 70 days. The colors are white, purple, red, and orange, and different varieties of Phalaenopsis bloom all year round.
2. Cattleya, in Catalan it is known for its beautiful flowers and wide variety, and is called the "King of Orchids." Catalan suits are almost all blue and black, and each flower has various colors.
3. Cymbidium, called tiger-head orchid, because its varieties are numerous, the plants are large, the petals are large, and the colors are bright; the types even include red, white, green, yellow, light pink, purple, and various transitional and compound colors. The stems are upright, and the flowering period lasts 2~3 months. It is one of the most widely cultivated orchids in the world.
As for Dendrobium, its stems are thick, the plant form is mature and imposing, and its posture is amiable. Each flower stem can bloom 20 to 70 flowers, and it has a faint fragrance. Each flower can stay open for 1 to 3 months.
Tropical orchids generally grow slowly. From seedling to flowering plant, they usually need 2 to 4 years to grow. Therefore, household flowers are usually purchased from the flower market. Tropical orchids belong to the aerial root system, so the growing medium should be well drained, highly moisture retentive, and have good air permeability. The raw materials for the growing medium: generally moss, charcoal, and broken bark are used, and you can also buy ready-made prepared materials at the flower market. Usually, the water for growing orchids should be kept moist. When the surface is dry, they should be watered and need moisture retention. Usually in summer, water once a day, and in winter, water two to three times a week.
In the high temperatures of summer, sprinkle a small amount of water around the flowerpot or spray water on the leaves. During the growing season, the plants can be given a thin liquid fertilizer or special fertilizer, and every 10 days prepare orchid fertilizer with inorganic fertilizer. The suitable temperature for the tropical orchid growing season is 18°C to 25°C, and at the same time there must be sufficient indoor scattered light, while also avoiding direct sunlight, so as not to affect growth and flowering. During the flowering period, the plants should be placed under weak light to make the flowers more beautiful and long-lasting. The overwintering temperature should be kept above 10°C.
When the flowering period is over, it is recommended to change the flowerpot. When changing the pot, the old roots and remaining flowers need to be cut off. After drying, the roots can be covered with soaked, permeable moss to fill the pot and fill in new growing medium. Place it in a cool place for about a week and maintain it according to the usual management methods.
The propagation method for tropical orchids is usually by division. The method is: before or after flowering in spring, separate the old plants; the number of divisions can be determined according to the size of the old plant, and the operation method after division is the same as when changing the flowerpot. Pots suitable for cultivated tropical orchids are soil, pottery, and sand pots. Tropical orchids grown at home place relatively more emphasis on appearance, and a slightly larger pot can be placed on the flowerpot jacket.