More than 35 thousand species of orchids are known. From Greek, "orchid" is translated as "like a butterfly." This is a beautiful tropical flower that does not require complicated care. The most common type for growing at home is phalaenopsis. With proper care, it can bloom almost the entire year. Like many home plants, orchids require transplants. But it is important to know whether it is possible to transplant an orchid during flowering.
Orchid
Transplant Reasons
Every 2-3 years, a home orchid needs a change of substrate and pot. But there are situations when you can’t delay procrastinating, as the plant may die. So, what reasons can affect the time of a flower transplant:
Decay
Even if the plant looks healthy at first glance, this is not an indicator that everything is in order with the root system. Due to the fact that mainly orchids are planted in transparent pots, it is not difficult to observe the state of the roots.
For your information! A healthy root system has a rich green color, it is dense and elastic. If the roots of the orchid are dark in color, this does not mean that they begin to decay. But the reasons for the darkening is still worth finding out.
The fact that rotting develops can also be seen by the state of the flower itself:
- leaves and flower slow down development or stop developing altogether;
- leaves begin to change their color, turn yellow;
- brown spots appear on the leaves;
- flowers and buds begin to fade and crumble.
The process of decay of the roots begins because the flower is often watered. For healthy functioning, the roots need to dry before the next watering. Lighting also affects. With its lack, the plant will not absorb the necessary moisture. If the substrate is too dense or of poor quality, this entails insufficient penetration of air to the roots, from which the root system "suffocates".
Decaying orchids
Pests
There are several types of pests that can breed indoors in domestic plants:
- mealy and root mealybug;
- aphid;
- thrips;
- scale shield and false shield;
- whitefly;
- spider mite and flat-bodied;
- mushroom mosquitoes.
One of the most difficult parasites is the powdery mealybug. This insect looks like a gray fluff 5 mm in size. Adult females or larvae are harmful. They pierce the plant and draw nutrients from it. When punctured, enzymes enter the plant that negatively affect the metabolic processes of the plant. When infected, the plant becomes susceptible to any infections.
The root worm has a size of 2-4 mm, a light gray or yellowish tint. This pest can spoil both the root system and the aerial part. He eats orchid juice. When this pest is damaged, the plant begins to weaken sharply.
Aphids are easily visible on the plant. It is very small and multiplies rapidly. There are aphids of light yellow or green. Can settle on any part of the flower. She punctures the top layer of the plant and feeds on cell sap.
Note! Aphids can be recognized by sticky dew on leaves or flowers.
If on the leaves of the orchid small black dots and uneven small grooves are noticeable, then the plant was struck by thrips. These are especially resistant parasites that settle on leaves or in orchid flowers. They are very small and have wings, with the help of which they can fly from one plant to another, spreading various diseases.
Scale or pseudoscutum usually appear on branches or trunks. These parasites suck out the juice and release a sticky substance. It clogs the pores of the plant, which complicates the respiration and development of orchids. When infected with these parasites, orchid leaves begin to turn yellow and fall off.
Whitefly is a small insect, the length of which is from 1 mm, with light wings. She sucks the juice from the tissues of the plant. On the surface of the leaves remain yellowish streaks and sugar nectar. The flower weakens and stops developing.
The most common parasite for plants is the spider mite. Most often, he appears where there are indoor roses. If white dots and a thin web appear on the plant, then it is infected with ticks. On the reverse side of the sheet, prokusi and silver plaque appear.
Pests
Root system issues
Orchid root system diseases are divided into three categories:
- viral. In this case, the plant is affected entirely. Their root system is covered with spots or stripes;
- bacterial. With such a disease, ulcers appear on the root system with the fluid released from them;
- fungal. In the case of such diseases, the roots are covered with yellow or pink bloom.
Note! If the root system is exposed to the disease, this does not always reflect on the top of the plant. If you discover the disease in time, the orchid can still be saved.
The transplant process at home
An important question asked by beginning gardeners: is it possible to transplant a blooming orchid? The phalaenopsis orchid does not have a clear dormant period. She constantly has a growth process: either leaves grow, or flowering occurs.
The best time for a transplant is spring. But sometimes there are such circumstances, for example, a plant disease, in which an urgent transplant is required, regardless of whether the orchid is blooming or not. Is it possible to transplant an orchid during flowering? You can, if you do not violate the root system.
Watering
In order to comply with all the necessary moisturizing conditions, you need to understand the following:
- if you transplant a flower without damage and brushing the roots, without changing the soil, just in a new pot, the orchid practically does not notice this change, does not cease to bloom. You can continue watering, according to the needs of the plant, according to the old scheme;
- when a transplant is done with trimming damaged roots, changing the soil, a special watering regime is required.
Immediately after transplanting, you can water a flower if it requires new soil. If the soil is old and was originally wet, you should not be diligent with watering, it is better to wait 4-5 days to dry well. If the plant is replanted in the summer, the first watering should be done after 24 hours, if the orchid is replanted in the winter, after 2-4 days.
Watering
Capacity selection
The further health of this plant depends on the correct choice of an orchid pot. The root system of this flower should receive air and lighting, this should be considered first. The roots should not grow to the walls of the container.
Note! The best option is a clear plastic or glass pot. They are matte and colored, simple plastic or decorative glass.
What should be the right pot for an orchid:
- There should be a large number of drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. Excess irrigation water will flow through them, and root ventilation will also occur. If there are few holes in the pot you like, you can drill them yourself;
- for an orchid transplant, you should choose a pot that is a couple of centimeters larger than the previous one. At the bottom of the pot should be 3-5 cm of drainage;
- too large containers should not be chosen, since all the strength of the plant will be directed to the root system to fill the entire pot. Such an orchid will be extremely rare to bloom. And also in large containers, the substrate will dry longer, which can lead to rotting of the roots.
Important! If the orchid grows in a transparent pot, direct sunlight should not fall on it, otherwise the greenhouse effect will be created, and the root system will begin to die.
Transplant soil
An orchid is a tropical plant that parasitizes on trees. It will not grow in ordinary soil. For proper flower growth, an appropriate substrate is required. Special mixtures are sold in stores, which include wood bark. Additional ingredients such as moss, charcoal and fern roots may also be added.
The main indicator of the correct soil for an orchid is its friability. It must be well ventilated. The bark should not be too large, but not small. A small substrate will not allow air to pass through and dry for a long time, which can damage the roots of the plant.
Soil for orchids
You can prepare the soil for the flower yourself. To do this, you must:
- Collect pine bark from fallen trees.
- Rinse it well with running water.
- Chop into 1.5–6 cm slices using a pruner.
- Boil for several minutes. This is necessary for disinfection.
- After boiling, rinse again and boil again.
- Dry it, but not completely.
Note! In pine bark, you can add sphagnum moss, which is sold in flower shops. Thus, a healthy soil for transplanting an orchid is obtained, in which it will bear fruit and often bloom.
Orchid bloom
Most often, an orchid enters the house during flowering. The time, how much the orchid blooms, and the number of flowers in the phalaenopsis orchid can be different. The color scheme is very diverse. The flower can be either monophonic or with colored veins or spots.
How often does it bloom
The frequency of flowering orchids depends on the age of the plant. Very young are not able to form peduncles. But if the plant is already 1.5-2 years old, it must bloom. The number of leaves also affects the flowering of orchids. If she has already formed 5-6 strong sheets, she is quite ready to form buds.
For your information! On average, a healthy adult plant blooms at least 2-3 times a year. There are varieties that can bloom all year round.
There are moments of calm when an orchid does not want to delight with its beautiful flowers. If this period is delayed, you can "shock" the plant, for example, rearrange the pot in a new place. This will serve as a stimulation of the growth and development of the flower.
How long
With proper care and a favorable environment, an orchid can bloom for several months. Some species of this flower are able to bloom for six months.
Orchid bloom starts from the moment the bud opens. After it has fully opened, the flower continues to grow and grow for another couple of days. All buds open gradually.
When a plant drops its first flowers, some buds may not yet open or be in the process. Thus, the orchid blooms long enough.
As a rule, the buds that are closer to the end of the peduncle begin to bloom first. For full disclosure of a flower, 1-2 days are required. Under the weight of buds and flowers, the peduncle can break, to avoid this, you need to stick a plastic or wooden stick in the pot and attach the peduncle to it.
Important! Insert the stick into the pot very carefully so as not to damage the root system of the plant.
Orchid bloom
Further flower care
After the flower is transplanted, it must be put in a non-hot place, which is protected from drafts and sunlight. The most favorable air temperature for a transplanted plant is 20-22 ° C. Without the need, do not rearrange the pot at least the first time, 10 days. Then, the orchid should be looked after as usual.
It must not be allowed that the temperature regime, illumination, and air humidity sharply change. You can use different methods of watering, such as: showering, soldering, watering can or spraying. In winter and autumn, the flower should be watered once a week, in spring and summer - twice every 10 days.
For your information! The frequency of irrigation depends on the variety, climate, substrate. Here an individual approach to irrigation is chosen.
Thus, orchid transplantation is an elementary procedure, during which it is worth considering some nuances. And after it, the main thing is to provide decent care. Only then will the flower delight with long flowering.
