Mini orchid (dwarf) phalaenopsis. tips and tricks for care and reproduction at home. Photo and video. Miniature Phalaenopsis orchid: care at home

Along with plants standard size, on the shelves of flower shops you can find mini phalaenopsis orchids. Their size does not exceed 15–20 cm. But despite this, mini orchids are full-fledged profusely flowering plants. The only thing that distinguishes them from standard-sized phalaenopsis is slightly different growing and care conditions.

New types of mini orchids appear every year. Most often, their main difference is the rich color scheme and the duration of the flowering period. For example, the Mini Mark orchid is especially popular among gardeners. She is a hybrid obtained by crossing natural look and phalaenopsis variety Micro Nova.
For Mini Mark, the characters are rich green leaves of medium size, no more than 15 cm long. The flowers of this hybrid are white in color with expressive yellow or pink speckles and have a yellow lip. Brown. Their size ranges from 3–4 cm.

Mini Mark

Growing conditions

The conditions for growing mini orchids are quite standard.

Lighting

Like most orchids, dwarf species prefer bright, but diffused light. They look especially good on windows facing east and west. When placing plants on the south side during hot midday hours, they must be shaded.

Humidity

There are no special requirements for air humidity, but orchids feel most comfortable at humidity levels of 50–70%. With drier air, their growth and development may slow down. The higher the ambient temperature, the higher the humidity levels should be.

Advice! To saturate the surrounding air with moisture, you can use special humidifiers air or simply place the plants on trays with wet expanded clay.

Temperature

The ideal temperature for growing mini orchids is from 18 to 21° throughout the year. In this case, it is desirable that night temperatures are several degrees lower than night temperatures. Such changes contribute to more abundant and prolonged flowering.

Substrate

Sphagnum moss is most often used as a substrate for growing mini orchids. pure form. It can be purchased at specialized flower shops. You can also use a mixture of pine bark and moss. To prevent the development of various rots, it is recommended to add a small amount of charcoal to it.

Features of care

In order for a mini orchid to fully develop, bloom and look healthy, it must be properly cared for.

Watering

Most miniature orchids are grown on what is called a “cushion” of moss. It, unlike bark substrate, dries much faster. In addition, moss has the ability to absorb large amounts of water; the usual method of immersion or spilling when using it will lead to waterlogging. That is why watering mini orchids is best done by daily spraying.

If necessary, spraying can be supplemented with watering with a small amount of water. On average, only 1–2 tablespoons will be enough per plant. The water used for irrigation and spraying should be soft and slightly warm.

Fertilizer application

Due to the nature of watering, fertilizing mini orchids is carried out somewhat differently. If when growing standard plants the rule is to fertilize with every second watering, then when growing dwarf species with daily spraying instead of watering, it does not apply.

The most convenient way to fertilize a mini orchid flower is by using foliar feeding. To do this, use a special fertilizer for orchids, which is diluted in full accordance with the attached instructions. Spraying is carried out during the period of intensive growth from March to September with an interval of 2 weeks. You cannot fertilize during dormancy.

Transfer

Transplantation of mini phalaenopsis should be carried out no more than once a year. It is best to plan it for spring. At this time, the viability of plants increases greatly and they easily tolerate various damage to roots and leaves.

To transplant a mini orchid you must proceed as follows:

1. Carefully remove the plant from the pot and immerse it in a container of warm water.
2. Free the roots from old moss or bark.
3. If necessary, trim off any dead or rotted areas of roots.
4. Sprinkle areas of damage and cuts with cinnamon powder or charcoal.
5. Distribute the roots evenly in the new pot, and fill the resulting voids with moss or a special substrate.

Attention! The new pot should be slightly larger than the previous one. A large number of undeveloped root substrate can lead to rot and the spread of fungal diseases.

Care during the rest period

While maintaining a stable temperature and supplementary lighting in winter period, mini orchids do not need a rest period. The exception is those cases when the plant grows leaf mass, but does not bloom. In such situations, to stimulate the formation of a flower arrow, the orchids are kept for 2 weeks at a temperature of 14 to 16 °C.

Attention! The method of lowering the temperature to stimulate peduncle initiation cannot be used continuously. Such conditions are stressful for the plant. In most cases, failure to bloom is a consequence of violation of the rules of care and maintenance.

The orchid has become a familiar resident of home window sills, although a few years ago it was considered an inaccessible exotic plant.

Another discovery for orchid lovers was Phalaenopsis mini - a miniature version of this flower, characterized by long flowering and compact forms.

Let's talk about the advantages of miniature orchids, how to care for these plants and in what conditions they should be kept.

Advantages of mini phalaenopsis

I will name a few advantages that encourage lovers indoor floriculture grow mini phalaenopsis.

• Compactness. A mini phalaenopsis orchid will easily fit in any corner of an apartment or office that does not include large plants.

• Decorative. They bloom so profusely that they will decorate any room, bring cheerful notes into it and lift your spirits. And if you combine several plants in one container at once, you will get a stunningly beautiful mini-garden!

• Easy care. Mini phalaenopsis varieties are so easy to care for that even a beginner can grow them! Therefore, a mini orchid will be an excellent gift for any person who knew nothing about it until now!

• Low cost. Unlike its large counterparts, mini phalaenopsis can be purchased at low prices, especially during flower sales.

Varieties of mini phalaenopsis

There are many varieties of mini phalaenopsis, let's remember some of them.

• Phalaenopsis Luddeman. This variety is distinguished by the fact that the sepals are larger in size than the flower petals. The diameter of the flowers is 4-5 cm, the number on one peduncle is 5-7 pieces. Both sepals and petals are variegated in color.
• Phalaenopsis pink. It is characterized by abundant flowering: 10-15 white flowers are formed on the peduncle at once. Pink colour 3 cm in diameter. White sepals are decorated with a pink stripe.
• Phalaenopsis Mark. The flowers of this variety are white, but may have splashes of pink, yellow or orange. The lip of the flower is bright orange.

Caring for mini phalaenopsis is not much different from caring for regular-sized orchids. They also love warmth and humid air and are afraid of waterlogging. They also need to be transplanted into a new substrate from time to time.

To replant a mini orchid, choose a slightly larger pot than the one in which it is currently located. These plants have fast-growing roots, so they need to be replanted periodically to give the roots more room to grow.

Transplantation process

1. Buy special soil for phalaenopsis: it should contain mainly pieces of bark and moss. Pour it into the pot and pour water thoroughly to soak it.
2. Trim faded flower stalks, if any.
3. Carefully remove the plant from the pot by placing it on its side or upside down, supporting the roots with your hand. If you can't remove it easily, slowly squeeze the sides to free up space.
4. Old soil remains on the roots, which can subsequently lead to rotting. Your task is to remove as much of the old bark and moss as possible.
5. Cut off the dead roots - they are wrinkled and brown in color. The same applies to rotten roots with an unpleasant odor. U healthy roots whitish-green color.
6. Place some fresh orchid soil at the bottom. You need very little of it, since most of the pot will be occupied by the roots of the phalaenopsis.
7. Now you have to transplant the mini phalaenopsis. Place the plant in new pot, making sure that the base of the lowest leaf dips is approximately 1.5 cm below the edge of the pot.
8. Spread the soil around the roots of the mini orchid, gradually pressing it down so that it is distributed along the sides of the container. Add substrate until the entire root system is covered. Check how well the plant holds up in the new soil by lifting it up by a section of the peduncle or carefully by the leaves. If it slides out of the pot easily, add more soil.
9. After replanting, refrain from watering the orchid for 10 days. Instead, place it in a warm place and mist it every day with a small amount of water (a very fine spray, like a mist). Leaves should remain dry at night.

Replant miniature orchids every two years. If the roots grow too intensively, it is better to replant annually.

Important: urgently replant the phalaenopsis if the soil appears bad smell or the roots have taken on an unhealthy appearance!

Watering can be done different ways, for example, using a medium-sized ice cube. Place ice in the pot - on the moss. One ice cube per week is enough (for ordinary orchids you will need three) so that the sensitive roots of mini orchids receive a sufficient amount of moisture and do not rot from waterlogging. The ice gradually melts and moisture seeps into the substrate.

Check the soil for dryness from time to time. In general, one ice cube per week should provide enough water. In extremely dry or hot conditions, a mid-week water spray may be necessary.

The second way is immersion. As is the case with ordinary orchids, a pot with a mini phalaenopsis is immersed for 10-15 minutes in a container with warm, soft water (boiled or settled). After excess water drains from the pot, and the plant goes to the windowsill. In addition to watering, you need to periodically spray the leaves of the mini orchid from a spray bottle in the “fog” mode.

Any varieties of mini phalaenopsis need to be fertilized once a month, using a balanced fertilizer and diluting it with water according to the attached scheme. If special fertilizers do not sufficiently feed the plant, you can use an analogue with a high nitrogen content, especially if the soil mainly consists of bark.

Lighting for mini orchids

Mini orchids thrive in bright places where they are not exposed to direct sunlight. Place the plant in an east-facing window that receives dim sunlight. It will also grow well on other windows. You can put it on a south window, but you will have to shade the plant from the sun.

If there is little light in the house, use additional artificial lighting eg fluorescent lamps. Place them above the flowers at a distance of 30 cm.

How do you know if an orchid has enough light? Look at the leaves: if they are very dark, it means there is not enough light. If the leaves turn yellow or red, there is too much light, especially when brown spots appear on them.

At what temperature is Phalaenopsis mini kept?

The optimal temperature for keeping mini orchids is 18-29 degrees, since they need warm and wet conditions. In order for them to bloom and develop well, it is better to keep them in hot conditions during the day and in cold conditions at night (about 15 degrees).

Important: the mini phalaenopsis orchid is afraid of drafts, so do not place them near ventilation holes and open windows.

Regardless of which varieties of mini phalaenopsis are on your windowsills, care instructions are usually the same for each of them. The main thing is to maintain the optimal level of humidity and air temperature, water them on time, feed them and replant them.

Mini orchids are very popular specimens in flower shops. Such miniature beauties reach a height of only 15-20 centimeters. These are so charming that it is impossible to refrain from buying them.

These delicate miniature flowers will be a great addition to your collection. However do not forget to study the features of caring for them.

Mini orchids are no less demanding of favorable conditions than the orchid family:

• for plants You can purchase it at any specialized store, or you can easily make it yourself. The homemade substrate recipe consists of small pieces of bark, which must be thoroughly washed and left in water for several days before planting. Flower growers recommend adding dry moss to the substrate at low humidity in the room, which perfectly absorbs from excess moisture;
• what about temperature– delicate mini orchids prefer 20-24 degrees. Low temperature is fraught with the fact that the flowers will begin to fall off. Miniature plants are very afraid of wind and drafts, so you should be careful about the temperature regime and remove flowers from the windowsill when frost sets in;
• humidity It is recommended to maintain a sufficiently high mature plant grows and develops well at a humidity of 50-70%, while young plant moisture is needed even more;
• orchid mini does not accept excess light, bright sunlight can cause burns to the leaves. Preferred average level lighting, it is best to place the flower not in the brightest place.

Planting and transplanting

The process of how to replant orchids can be divided into several stages:

1. Choice correct soil for a plant. Preference should be given to the soil substrate, which consists of large particles of moss and bark, which have a beneficial influence on the growth of mini orchids than ordinary soil;
2. Selection of capacity for and plants. For transplantation, you should choose a container that is sized Furthermore, in which on this moment a flower grows. The roots should have plenty of room to grow and develop. But overdoing it is also dangerous; the size must correspond to the size of the flower; you should not take the container “for growth”;
3. Experts strongly recommend refrain from watering plants in the next 10 days after transplantation.

Step-by-step photo of orchid transplantation.

Experienced gardeners recommend replanting healthy plant only if the flower pot has become small, or after 2-3 years, when the bark begins to decompose, the roots receive insufficient oxygen, which leads to the death of the mini orchid.

When replanting an orchid continuously, you should treat it with special care, the main task– do not damage the roots of the plant.

Orchids Mini: home care

Watering

The specifics of how to water a plant depend on several factors: temperature and planting method. The process itself has its own specifics. It is recommended to use only a watering can, gradually moving it along the soil surface.

As soon as water begins to flow into the pan, it means you can stop. The amount of water should not change.

Top dressing

Orchids mini need extra throughout the year, once every half month. Special ones can be purchased at your nearest flower shop.

Orchids can only be fed with special fertilizers.

IMPORTANT! Do not forget that too much fertilizer can harm the plant.

Lighting

Like almost any species, mini orchids need additional lighting in the autumn-winter period when daylight hours are significantly reduced. Flower growers use for additional lighting fluorescent lamps.

During flowering

Orchids happening several times a year. After the buds open, it is necessary to provide them with reliable support in order to reduce the load on the stem.

During the period, in order not to expose the plant to stress, sudden changes in temperature, changes in light levels, humidity levels and watering systems should be avoided.

After flowering

Caring for an orchid is entirely aimed at ensuring that the plant pleases its visitors more than once. Dried peduncle. After cutting, the resulting hole is hollow.

The peduncle that has dried out after flowering is cut off.

IMPORTANT! It is imperative to ensure that water does not get inside. Some gardeners recommend using beeswax for such purposes.

Reproduction

Best done in spring summer period when the plant begins to emerge from dormancy.

When propagating, you should be especially careful with the roots of the plant; in the mini orchid they are very fragile. High-quality reproduction is possible only in healthy species.

Children

Mini orchids reproduce vegetative way. The most painless and effective method- reproduction by children. Side shoots, so-called, are new plants.

Babies are formed only at high temperatures, which should be at least 25 degrees. In fertilizers, preference should be given to those species that contain a sufficient amount of nitrogen.

When a baby appears on a plant, it should be given special attention.

During active growth, shoots need special moisture. When the baby takes root, it should be removed from the mother plant and planted in a separate container. After about a year, the baby turns into a full-fledged plant.

Cuttings

There are still a considerable number of propagation methods: cuttings, seeds, division, and so on. However, they are more complex.

In case of reproduction, they also take side shoots, the length of which is 15 centimeters, old elongated stems are also suitable. The cuttings are planted in a pot with the cut side down. In terms of care, a cutting requires no less attention than an adult full-fledged flower.

Seeds

Most the hard way and the most labor-intensive– . IN artificial conditions Creation favorable conditions This is not an easy task; you need to prepare a special nutrient medium.

It takes approximately 9 months for seeds to germinate; the plant can be considered full-fledged after 2-3 years. Conditions for favorable growth– soil moisture and temperature equal to 22-25 degrees.

Propagation by seeds is the most difficult method.

By division

Division – a method that suits almost all indoor flowers.

IMPORTANT! For favorable propagation, the plant must be large and have at least 4 pseudobulbs.

The plant must be removed from the pot without damaging the roots; they must be cut so that each half has at least 3 false bulbs. A smaller plant should not be divided, as it will take too long to grow. Most often, this method is used when replanting a plant.

How to care after shopping in a store?

Experienced flower growers recommend that after a new resident appears in the house, start transplanting it right away, as well as selecting optimal conditions for favorable life activities.

Choose optimal temperature, lighting and provide the required humidity. Most often, orchids are sold during the flowering period, so there should be an appropriate one for them.

Many experts recommend orchids in transparent containers, because this increases the flow of natural light to the roots, which has a rather beneficial effect on the growth and development of the orchid.

However, in this case it is necessary Special attention pay attention to watering, because this procedure is significantly different.

Leave the water in transparent vases experts do not recommend, excess moisture will lead to rotting of the roots.

The watering system is as follows: the plant is given 20-30 minutes to absorb the required amount of moisture and the remaining water is removed from the vase.

Growing problems

The plant can dry out even with regular watering if other components of proper care are not followed. It is recommended to water the orchid in the first half of the day. and in accordance with recommendations. Dry air and bright sun- are destructive to the flower even with proper watering.

Most often, flowering stops due to natural processes, or maybe due to unfavorable conditions. These conditions include:

• prolonged drought;
• regular excess moisture;
• absence required quantity Sveta.

In any case, to resume flowering, the orchid must not be left unattended, and all mistakes made are recommended to be corrected immediately.

Diseases and pests

Mini orchids - fairly sensitive plants, which react seriously to various infections. Most often it develops due to improper care. Experts recommend treating leaves and flowers with a specific chemical composition.

Orchids are often attacked by diseases and pests.

Reanimation

Orchids possible in two ways: outdoors and in the greenhouse. The choice of method depends on how damaged the roots are. If all the roots have rotted, then it is preferable to use the greenhouse method. In the event that there are intact roots left, it is better to choose the first option. The process can take one month or one year, it all depends on the scale of the problem.

In order to prevent such consequences, Causes should be eliminated as soon as they appear:

1. If there is excess water or light, the plant may experience yellowing on the leaves.
2. Too much heat and low humidity can cause flowers to drop early.
3. Leaf rotting is a sign improper care after them.
4. When roots lack moisture, they shrink and darken.
In contact with

By paying due attention to dwarf orchids and familiarizing yourself with the rules of flower care, replanting and fertilizing, you can enjoy their development and flowering all year round. They occupy less space than ordinary phalaenopsis, but delight in their blooming buds nothing less.

Mini-phalaenopsis is still the same decorative orchid, just smaller in size. It has the same leaf shape, flower and root structure. And mini-phalaenopsis does not always differ in size from its “bigger brother”; often only the flowers turn out to be small, and the whole plant is identical to other ordinary orchids.

The height of “mini” varies around 10-15 centimeters and they are mainly sold in pots up to 9 cm high. There are slightly more flowers on the peduncle than standard orchids, and they bloom longer.

The flower is always symmetrical in shape, has the same leaves and a similar color, like all phalaenopsis. “Mini” can be safely crossed with ordinary species, and they often reproduce with the help of shoots, shoots on flowering arrow, which are popularly called “babies”.

Types of mini orchids

Mini-orchids differ from each other according to a single principle - the appearance of the flower. Based on this, they are divided into several types:

• Standard mini-phalaenopsis - after they bloom, the top of the arrow dries out;
• Novelty: a new peduncle grows repeatedly from the upper node of the arrow;
• Multiflora - a new peduncle appears during flowering, growing on the arrow.

There is also amazing view mini-phalaenopsis - dwarf. These are tiny orchids, the leaves of which are no more than 20 cm in span, and the diameter of the flower reaches a maximum of 3 cm.

Based on the type, mini-orchids are divided into:

• Upright;
• Curly.

Recently, many hybrids have appeared, crossed with different types orchids.

Plant care

Phalaenopsis are quite capricious plants, but if you follow proper care behind them, then it will be fully rewarded.

Light

Mini orchids need a bright place, but without direct hit sun rays. The flower is very sensitive to sunbathing and if you put it in the sun even once, you risk getting sunburn.

They form on the leaves in the form of redness or yellowing, and brown spots may also appear. Therefore, you should strictly ensure that the sun does not harm you, and do not place orchids on sunny side premises. And if there are no other options, then the window must be darkened with a special film or mesh.

Temperature

To improve the microclimate around the little beauties, the temperature regime should be observed. They do not like heat, cold, or strong temperature changes. Therefore, it is best to keep the temperature from +18 to +30̊C, and at night the temperature should not fluctuate by more than 4-7 degrees.

With large temperature changes, transparent secretions of a sticky consistency appear on the leaves. Often, mini owners perceive these appearances as pest infestation, but this is not the case.

We also try to place the plants not in a draft, they don’t like it. And we remove flowers from cold windows in winter.

Humidity

As with temperatures, “minis” do not like extremes, so we do not create excessive heat and dry air. The ideal air humidity is considered to be 55-70%. You can create such conditions by frequent spraying or by placing pots near a humidifier.

Compliance with these conditions is especially important in summer, when elevated temperatures environment. If the air is dry, the orchid will show a slowdown in growth, the absence of the appearance of new leaves and flower stalks. And if he shoots an arrow with a peduncle, the buds may dry out and fall off without ever opening.

Conversely, if the room is too saturated with moisture, it should be ventilated and dried more often, since moisture will stagnate in the roots and processes of rotting of the root system and leaf diseases may appear.

Watering

Mini orchids growing on sphagnum (moss) should be watered more often than regular phalaenopsis, but with less water. Sphagnum retains water several times better than bark, which is why it is so important not to overwater orchids growing on moss. Watering methods for orchids growing on bark are not suitable for sphagnum moss.

A pot of moss should not be immersed in water, as it will quickly become saturated and the root may rot. The best way watering will become watering from a spoon. Depending on the size of the pot, choose a teaspoon or a tablespoon and pour water over the entire surface of the sphagnum moss, observing the measure.

Spraying at least twice or thrice a day also has a beneficial effect on babies.

But we try not to get into the middle of the plant, into its bulb, since a few drops of water can start the process of rotting the orchid and then it will be almost impossible to save the plant.

Without watering the phalaenopsis, you may notice that the leaves begin to wrinkle. In this case, it is necessary to immediately give a sufficient amount of moisture to the plant and make lotions. Lotions are made from cotton pads moistened with water.

They are applied along the entire length of the leaf, avoiding moisture entering the bulb area. If after such procedures the leaves have not recovered, then the reason must be sought in the roots: remove rotten and dry roots, grow new ones.

Phalaenopsis transplant

Mini-phalaenopsis are initially planted in a special substrate - sphagnum. It is a dense lump of moss that retains moisture very well. When growing orchids, they are not watered; they are kept in a special warm rooms With high humidity, and sphagnum absorbs all the moisture from the air.



Such a plant can bloom for a long time, delighting the owners, but later the phalaenopsis may not have time to save.

The ideal substrate for small orchids is a mixture of bark coniferous trees, moss and a small amount of charcoal. Small bark is best, pieces up to 1 cm.

Moss is sometimes replaced coconut flakes(coconut “chips”), and on top you can cover the surface with the roots with coconut fiber, which will retain moisture and prevent the roots from drying out quickly. Charcoal, in turn, will nourish the roots and remove excess moisture, preventing rotting of the root system.

It is best to replant the “mini” in the spring, when the plant is in a period of active growth. The bark that is “stuck” to the roots should not be separated, as this creates “wounds” on the root system that need to be specially treated and subsequently the roots will not immediately renew.



When replanting, it is very important not to overdo it with the size of the pot. Orchids like to be slightly cramped in the pot. It is also worth choosing a transparent container in which the plant will live. In this way, control over watering is ensured - the roots are visible through the transparent pot and you can easily determine when to water the flower.

In the first period after planting, the plant needs to be watered a little more often and monitor the dryness of the bark and root system. The condition of the flower will depend on how much time the phalaenopsis spent in the store.

The more it was poured in the store, the greater the likelihood that the plant will need to recover from this stress for a long time. If the flower did not have time to water, then the adaptation period will be the best for it.

Transplant stages:

1. Remove from sphagnum moss.
2. Remove moss.
3. Dry for about a day (leave the plant with roots on a napkin out of the sun).
4. Soak in Fundazol solution for 15-20 minutes (1 teaspoon per 1 liter of water).
5. Dry again for a day.
6. Remove rotten and dry roots.
7. Plant in prepared bark.

Fertilizer for orchids

Fertilizer for orchids contains iron, lithium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iodine and manganese. Mini-phalaenopsis should be fertilized every 10 days or every 2 weeks when the orchid is in a period of active growth.

When the plant is dormant (without producing new leaves or flowering), fertilizing once a month is enough. The dormant period usually occurs in the summer months and winter.

You can fertilize in several ways:

• Through the leaf - spraying with a special fertilizer diluted in water. Doses for mixing fertilizer should be carefully read on the packaging before use. This method allows you to protect the orchid from burns on the roots.
• Through the root - feeding, which is diluted with water for irrigation.

By caring for mini-orchids correctly and with love, you can achieve wonderful results that will delight you every day. After all, what could be better for a lover of house plants than to admire the flowering of your favorites?

Many gardeners fell in love miniature plants, which decorate the house, bringing into its interior bright accents, but do not take up much space. Among such crops, phalaenopsis orchids, whose homeland is rainforests. But in natural conditions Nevertheless, such flowers are quite rare.

Why are these plants so attractive? Mini flowers are characterized by unpretentiousness, ease of care, and compactness. Original mini orchids differ in everything else:

But it is worth considering that some of these “inhabitants” of window sills require the creation special conditions. That is why it is important to familiarize yourself with all its features and cultivation rules before starting to grow a certain species.

Main varieties and their features

There are several varieties of mini orchids.

Each of them has its own characteristics, which are manifested not only in the appearance of the flower, but also in the plant’s care requirements.

Today stand out the following types mini orchids:

• Cattleya;
• Ascocendes;
• Oncidium;
• Dendrobiums;
• Cymbidiums;
• Phalaenopsis.

The last option is one of the most common. But it is also worth noting that each group has its own varieties of mini orchids, which are often better known to gardeners than the names of the species themselves.

Mini Cattleya orchid

A very popular option are Cattleyas. This stunted look perfect for home grown. The Walker variety, which is part of this group, is especially popular. The leaves of the crop rarely grow longer than 10 cm. As for the flowers of such a mini-orchid, they are usually 8 cm in diameter.

Mini Cymbidium orchid

Other types of culture are no less known and in demand. A striking example is a mini Cymbidium orchid, key feature which is unpretentious in care. Many gardeners note that this culture weakens the pleasant and unobtrusive aroma. Very attractive appearance such a plant. It is sophisticated, refined, fragile. Its peduncle hangs down a little and is surrounded by narrow but long leaves. Flowers can be white, yellow, pink or cream. They rarely exceed 5 cm in diameter.

Popular Phalaenopsis

Mini phalaenopsis orchids deserve special attention: the varieties of this variety are very variable. These include Phalaenopsis Luddeman, Mini Mark and Phalaenopsis rosea. This group of dwarf orchids for home cultivation is united by abundant and striking a long period flowering. These plants usually do not enter the dormant stage. The height of the peduncle can be about 30 cm, which is equal to the length of the leaves.

A real hit is the Mini Mark orchid, which belongs to the category of hybrid crops. The plant is distinguished by an orange-brown lip color and rich green leaves. The length of the plates varies from 10 to 15 cm. The attractiveness of this variety lies in the unusual color of the flowers themselves. The petals are literally strewn with unobtrusive specks of yellow, orange and pink.

Caring for the Mini Mark orchid at home is quite simple. The main thing to remember is that the plant is heat-loving. Ideal conditions for growing this variety, they are represented by a temperature range from +18 to +21 degrees. But the acceptable level is up to +32°C. Leading flower growers recommend creating conditions for the flower such that at night the temperature level drops by about 4 degrees compared to daytime. The plant is not picky about humidity levels.

Is a transplant necessary after purchase?

Mini orchids are often replanted after purchase, since not all gardeners can cope with keeping the culture in moss. If you decide to immediately carry out this procedure, it is recommended to use soil consisting of pure bark fractions. If you wait for the end of the store flowering, the necessary time may be missed and the plant will die. Some gardeners prefer a different option. They leave the plant in a “cushion” of moss. But in in this case You will need to strictly follow all the rules for caring for the crop.

Basic subtleties of caring for crops at home

Generally speaking, caring for a mini phalaenopsis orchid is quite simple. The main thing is to understand some rules. Dwarf culture needs sunlight, but it should be, although bright, diffused. Direct ultraviolet rays should not be allowed to hit the flower. Mini-orchids also need moderate temperature conditions.

Temperature conditions for mini orchids

Many gardeners are interested in how to care for a mini orchid and what needs to be done for it. abundant flowering. To begin with, it is recommended to achieve optimal conditions content. For this genus of plants they vary between 20-24 degrees Celsius.

The flowers of the crop may fall off if:

1. lighting is insufficient;
2. types of mini orchids are affected by frosty wind, draft, coolness;
3. the air temperature is set below normal by about 5 degrees.

The nuances of watering plants

It is equally important to properly organize watering of mini orchids, doing it according to all the rules. It all depends on the planting method and temperature regime installed in the room where the flower is kept. In any case, watering is done using a watering can. It is necessary to pour water into the substrate in a thin stream. It is recommended to carry it out carefully, gradually distributing it over the entire surface of the soil. When moisture forms in the pan, the irrigation procedure is completed.

The question of how to water a mini orchid correctly is very relevant among gardeners, but there is nothing complicated in this procedure. The same amount of liquid should be used each time for irrigation. The only relaxation may be in the summer, when there are some seasonal fluctuations. What are other features of caring for mini orchids at home?

During the procedure, you need to be careful and not allow water to get into the axils of the leaves and the growing point; if, due to carelessness, this does happen, the moisture should be immediately soaked with a dry cloth.

Humidity and fertilizing levels

When growing mini orchids at home, you should provide them with an optimal level of humidity in the room. Ideally, in a room this figure varies from 50 to 70%. For a young dwarf orchid this value may be slightly higher, and for an adult it may be lower.

Regardless of the origin of the mini orchid, the plant needs feeding. It is recommended to use them at intervals of 2-3 weeks. For dwarf flowers of this type, use special compounds, which can be purchased in specialized stores. To carry out the procedure, the fertilizer should be dissolved in water. A pot with an orchid is immersed in the resulting composition. At the same time, the soil will be saturated with valuable and useful substances, which will later transfer to the root system of the flower.

About some problems in growing

When growing such a plant, gardeners may encounter several problems. So, the question often arises, why does the phalaenopsis mini orchid dry out with proper and systematic care? Usually this disease is associated with an excess sunlight or waterlogging of the substrate. Wrinkling and darkening of leaf plates, on the contrary, indicates a lack of moisture.

If a mini orchid does not bloom, there may be several reasons. Every gardener will probably discover some flaws during the cultivation process. Lack of flowering is often associated with:

• lack of sunlight;
• the presence of drafts in the room;
• insufficient air humidity;
• an excess of fertilizers containing nitrogen.

Caring for flowers in glass

What should be the care for a mini orchid in glass, which also happens? The use of flowerpots made of such material is acceptable, but it has a number of features. In such a situation, the use of drainage is a prerequisite. It is poured onto the bottom of the flowerpot; the layer thickness should be at least 3 cm. An additional plastic container is fixed onto this “cushion”. It is in it that culture will be contained. Then water is poured into the pots, the level of which should be slightly above the drainage. But plastic containers should not be exposed to moisture. The attractiveness of this method of growing dwarf orchids is that the water constantly evaporates, creating an optimal level of humidity.

Reproduction of dwarf orchid

The process of propagation of dwarf orchids deserves special attention from flower growers. How does this happen in of this type plants? Usually the vegetative method is taken as the basis. In this case, a baby mini orchid is used, which is separated from the flower. When a new shoot appears, it is carefully removed. After planting material is immersed in a greenhouse that has been previously prepared. You need to spread wet sphagnum moss in it. Usually, to obtain a full-fledged adult shoot, you need to wait, this takes about 1 year.

Many gardeners are concerned about the question of how to properly replant a mini orchid after purchasing a flower. However, it is necessary to change the place of residence of the plant in subsequent periods. It is recommended to update the container every 2-3 years, since during this period the bark decomposes. The soil is losing necessary properties breathability.
Root system the flower receives very little oxygen and nutrients, which can ultimately cause the death of the plant. A mini orchid is also replanted if the pot is full of roots.

Where is it recommended to start the process of changing the “place of residence” of a culture? First you need to prepare everything you need for the plant. For this reason, the question often arises as to which pot is best for a mini orchid. It is worth mentioning right away that a container that is too large and spacious is not needed. The container should be a little tight for the plant. This will ensure an optimal degree of soil breathability. The container should be transparent.

Subtleties of the process of transplanting mini orchids

When pots for mini orchids have been selected, you can proceed to the process of transplanting a dwarf orchid. It is recommended to start by removing the old substrate or moss. The root system of the crop must be thoroughly cleaned. To make it easier for the soil to move away from it, you need to immerse the flower in water for just a few minutes. When moisture saturates the moss or substrate, you need to carefully separate all excess from the roots.

When thinking about how to transplant a mini orchid correctly, you should pay attention to the condition of the root system. If some areas are affected by salinity, they should be removed. There is no need to direct aerial roots into a pot. As for the optimal transplant time, it can be anything. The flowering process is not a reason for refusing to change containers and substrate. When all preliminary work carried out, the dwarf orchid is immersed in a container and covered with new soil.

Many gardeners are interested in how a mini orchid is transplanted into a closed system and what features this process has. In this case, the container can be made not only of glass. Some gardeners successfully use plastic container. The main feature of such pots is the absence of drainage holes. In this case, the soil will be represented not just by moss or bark. It will be necessary to create a multilayer system.

Growing dwarf orchids in closed system, as a rule, is used for resuscitation and restoration of damaged plants whose root system is injured.