Orchids are the most beautiful creatures of nature. And with this statement it is difficult to argue. There are quite a few species of this plant - they are all different and unique in their own way. There are varieties that require special and careful attention, but there are also some that do not bring their owners a special hassle. Therefore, any florist can choose the flower that suits him and the growing conditions, and the complexity of care. Today we will talk about what care orchids need in winter. At this time of year, many of them are in a state of rest and do not require too much attention. Some people are capable of delighting us with fragrant buds all year round, however, they need care in winter, different from summer and spring. Since in one article it is impossible to cover all kinds of this flower, we have chosen the ones that are most common among amateur flower growers. And on their example, we will tell you about how to care for orchids, and also dwell on the peculiarities of their cultivation. It is worth noting that all plants are divided into three categories:

• Orchid without expressed rest

Care for such orchids should be evenly: watering, lighting and temperature regime is the same almost all year round. However, it should be noted that their care in the winter is slightly different. Such plants include the well-known phalaenopsis, miltonia, papio-poduleum (shoe);

• Orchid, in need of changing the content

Do not fall into complete hibernation, but care forthese orchids change drastically: watering and top dressing in winter is reduced several times. An example of such plants are some species of dendrobiums, Cattleya, Lelia, and Oncidium.

• Orchid with a pronounced rest period

Special care is required: complete drying of the soil. That is, irrigation stops altogether. At this time, the plants are completely deprived of leaves, new shoots appear only in the spring. Such orchids include: dendrobiums (several species), tuna, pleione, and calantha. In order to know exactly how to properly care for an orchid, acquiring a plant, be sure to ask the seller for its features.

Care for orchids without a pronounced resting state

• Phalaenopsis

Properly care for this orchid, thenprovide it with bright lighting. In winter, fluorescent lamps need to be illuminated. The desired temperature is at least 12 degrees. Watering in the cold season is moderate, the need for it only arises when the soil is completely dry. Water procedures are best done by immersing the pot in a container of water. In this condition, leave the flower for 20-30 minutes, then remove and let the water drain. Orchid needs to be sprayed, but in winter it is better not to perform this procedure. In autumn and winter it is necessary to spray only the air around the flower. Care in this period does not imply feeding.

• Pafiodipelum

We need an equally moderate watering round code. This orchid throws out flower stalks in the winter, so additional lighting is needed at this time of the year. Loves a diffused and bright light. The temperature of the air in the room where the orchid is located should be at least 10, but not more than 18 degrees. When watering the plant, make sure that water does not fall on the base of the flower, otherwise the decay of the stem may begin.

• Wanda

Thermophilic orchid. Requires a temperature of at least 18 degrees. The substrate must be moist constantly, watering occurs by lowering the plant in a container of water to the level of the lower leaves. It is also necessary to spray air roots. Required illumination.

• Miltonia

Like the vand is thermophilic, howeverprefers shadowed places. Therefore, lighting in the winter is not necessary. The air temperature during the day is 20-25 degrees. At night - not less than 15 degrees. Orchid painfully reacts to drafts and a change in the temperature regime. Loves abundant watering during flowering (spring-summer). But in the winter, water procedures are moderate - before the next watering the soil should be completely dry. Top dressing is completely canceled.

Care for orchids with a mild rest period

• Cattleya

The orchid of this species has many hybrids. They can be divided into two main types: flowering in spring and flowering in autumn. However, it should be noted that this division is only a convention, since favorable conditions can give impetus to flowering at any time of the year. Autumn varieties of plants practically do not have a state of rest. Immediately after flowering, such an orchid can release the next flower spike. However, it also needs rest in winter: watering is reduced, fertilizers do not apply. Spring flowers hibernate, both before the release of the peduncle, and after. In such periods, they also need to reduce watering to a minimum. But the lighting should remain the same - bright and scattered. The temperature regime in the autumn-winter period should be moderate - 12-18 degrees.

• Dendrobiums

Virtually all species of dendrobium are blooming at the endwinter or early spring. Therefore, care at this time should be appropriate: abundant watering, good lighting, fertilizing. After flowering, there is a period of rest. At this time, fertilizers are not applied, watering is carried out as the soil dries completely. In winter, the orchid requires high humidity, otherwise it may be affected by a spider mite.

Care for orchids with a pronounced rest period

• Tunia

With the onset of autumn, when the leaves of the plantbegin to turn yellow and fall off, watering is gradually reduced. As soon as the orchid is completely bare, it's stopped completely. To the stems of the plant do not break off, they are recommended to tie. The temperature regime is 8-10 degrees. Lighting - bright and scattered. Light and cool hibernation will become a pledge of abundant spring flowering.

• Pleione

This species does not need high temperatures eitherin summer, nor in winter. Therefore, it is a pleasure to look after him. In the cold season, the plant completely discards the foliage. As soon as this happens, it is necessary to transplant it into fresh land. Watering in winter is almost unnecessary - only after a transplant. If possible, the flower is carried to a glass balcony or veranda, since the air temperature should not be more than 7-10 degrees. Illumination is necessary at any time of the year.

• Kalanta

The same applies to deciduous orchids. The rest period begins immediately after flowering, usually at the end of winter. While the plant blooms, it needs copious watering, top dressing and high humidity. As soon as the flower discards the leaves, watering is completely stopped and put the pot in a cool, well ventilated room. "Sleeps" the plant 1.5-2 months. After the appearance of the first young shoots and leaves, it is necessary to gradually increase watering and begin to introduce fertilizers.

General recommendations for winter care

At any time of the year orchids needaeration. However, do not allow drafts, otherwise the plant will fall ill and die. Ventilate the room where the orchids live, better in the daytime. As a rule, we place houseplants on the windowsills. Orchids are no exception. In order to avoid the supercooling of the roots, it is recommended to put pieces of polystyrene under the pots with flowers. Do not forget about additional lighting. In winter, it is necessary for all orchids without exception. The backlight should be performed within 12 hours: from 8 am to 8 pm. You can apply for this special lamps, sold in flower shops. For lack of such equipment, use ordinary fluorescent lights. If the street is too frosty, the flowers on the windowsill should be taken to another place. If there is no such possibility, divide the window and the pot with the orchid with a piece of polystyrene foam. If you grow only cold-loving plants, and put them on a balcony or veranda is not possible, fence them off the room with film. This method of cooling will help you take care of the flower - it will significantly increase the humidity of the air. In winter it is not recommended to spray plants, even those that do not have an expressed period of rest. If you can not do without spraying (for example, you need to remove pests), conduct the procedure exclusively in the morning, and use hot water. The sprayer should be set to the smallest spray, so the water will not stagnate in the axils of the leaves and at the point of growth. Those kinds of orchids that do not fall into hibernation, you can occasionally bathe in the shower. After the procedure, leave the plants in the bathroom for a couple of hours, then enter into the room, but do not put the window immediately - let them sleep. And in the morning you can return them to their original place. Due to the included heating, the humidity of the air in the room drops, and almost all types of orchids do not like it. Be sure to moisten the air in the room! For this you can use not only a spray gun, but also the following method:

• Buy transparent pallets (half the height of the pot);
• Pour the bottom of the pallets with large pebbles, and drill several holes along the sides (just below the pebbles);
• Pour water, on top of the pebbles, put a plastic grate and put pots with flowers;
• Periodically add water to the pallets.

This method not only increases the humidityair, but also saves time for watering. However, it is acceptable only for "non-sleeping" orchids. In the cold season, orchids are threatened by various pests. Treatment with chemical preparations should be carried out in a separate room, which must be ventilated after the end of the procedure. That's all the tricks. Now you know exactly what the care of orchids is in winter. For beginners, I'd like to advise you: at first, buy not too fastidious plants, so it will be easier for you to comprehend all the subtleties and nuances associated with the cultivation of these tropical beauties.

Comments

comments