Orchid shoe: care at home. Venerin slipper: photo and description

Orchid is an amazing tropical plant that casts thoughts about hot islands, endless amazing forests, where such flowers grow in huge numbers and, perhaps, the elves live.

But today they have become a part of our life. In every home and office there must be at least one orchid, which every year pleases the eye with amazing inflorescences. But today we are interested in the most interesting variety - the orchid shoe.

From the humid tropics - to your home

Until recently, the cultivation of such wonders was possible only in the greenhouse. Unadapted plants did not tolerate the dry air of our apartments and at best kept only decorative foliage.

However, the work of breeders was not in vain, and the orchids of the slippers were adapted to the peculiarities of our climate, as well as to room conditions. This is an amazing group of plants, with their demands and moods. You can select instances that are suitable for greenhouses and window sills or shelves with artificial lighting.

Variety of species

The genus Pafidelium, which we are talking about today, has about 88 species. At the same time, the concept of a shoe orchid is even wider, which encompasses thousands of varieties of garden and indoor plants.

They got their name because of the unusual shape of the lower petal, which resembles a ladle. It is framed by the upper petals forming a sail. The result is a ballroom in a graceful frame.

Getting to know the view

The first orchid shoe was imported from India. They came to Europe only at the beginning of the XIX century and immediately conquered the hearts of flower growers. However, botanists still find new varieties of orchids in nature.

Do not cease to be surprised by the variety of shapes, colors and sizes. But no matter how generous the nature, the human mind was even more inventive. It is for this reason that all hybrid varieties can not even be described.

Waiting for a miracle

So, on your windowsill settled a tropical guest. Today it looks very simple. Green leaves, air roots, nothing remarkable. However, have patience. Beautiful orchids you can see when they release the arrow. You can show off a wide-belt or belt-like, and also a variety with oblong leaves.

The smallest representatives of the rosette do not exceed 10 cm, and in large peduncles reach 60 cm. One flower develops from the center of the rosette. After the luxurious crown wilts, the shoot will give birth to the daughter outlets.

The duration of flowering is long, about 3 months. Beautiful orchids simply attract the eye, you can not admire their stunning petals, long pestles and delicate color transitions.

Among modern hybrids there are also multiflorous pafidelums. They have up to 30 buds on the peduncle, which dissolve almost simultaneously. They can bloom seasonally, regularly delighting their owners with bright inflorescences.

Orchids Paphiopedilum

On sale they come with flower stalks. This is understandable, it is in this form the plant is able to find a buyer faster. In this case, it has only one outlet and several leaves.

Why is such a young plant willingly blooming? The answer is simple: this is the result of the action of flowering stimulants. After the flower buds wither, it will take a long time to recover. So do not count on regular buds before 2-3 years from now.

Before you buy a plant, try to learn more about this hybrid and its properties. This will avoid disappointment. More attention should be paid not to flowers, but to the vegetative part, the absence of rot and dark spots, damage. Only in this case the green pet adapts quickly and will begin to develop.

We analyze the substrate

Orchid Venus is not too whimsical at home, however, a number of rules must be observed. The substrate must necessarily be loose and let in air. Heavy compositions are better left aside.

For a basis it is necessary to take a pine bark, cooked and dried. The size of fractions should not be less than 5 and more than 15 mm. The largest pieces put in the center, they serve as a drainage. In order that the substrate does not dry up, you need to add sphagnum moss. It is best to place it on the surface.

For the mixture to be air-and water-permeable, it is possible to add large fractions of perlite. To increase the nutritional value - dolomite flour and fibrous peat. However, too much to complicate the task is not worth it. The orchid grows well on a single-component soil from pine bark and forest humus.

Do I need a transfer?

Now you know what should be in the pot, and you can carefully inspect the filling it's composition. If there are practically no large pieces, it means that they managed to decay thoroughly, and the substratum should be replaced. Strong plants can easily transfer both transplant and transshipment, adapt quickly and begin to grow. Optimum is the period after flowering or during the active formation of new shoots.

A transplant is a responsible business. Of course, I want to divide the plant more quickly so that you have several flowering pots, but it's not in a hurry. The more rosettes are formed, the more abundant the flowering is expected.

Lighting and temperature mode

In fact, it depends on what kind of shoes you have growing Venner. The photo and description will allow you to choose the optimal conditions for each of these plants. But all as one they do not tolerate direct sunlight. In addition to burns, nothing good will come of it. The variegated "shoes" are shadowy, they will succeed with great success on the northern windows, but it is desirable that the sky is not completely covered by buildings or trees. A great option - the eastern direction, but on the western windows in the summer can be hot.

In the cold season, the southern direction is suitable. How to understand what exactly is your Venus shoe? The photo and description of the plant gives an exhaustive answer to this question. The dark color of the leaves indicates that the light is clearly not enough, and the reddish rim says that you overdid it and you need to hang the sun-shining curtains.

Normally, the leaves should have a light green color of the leaves. The optimal temperature regime in summer is + 20-25 degrees, at night it is desirable to decrease by 3 degrees. Winter is a time of relative rest, therefore it is desirable to maintain the regime + 16-20 in the daytime, and slightly less at night.

Orchid in your garden

It is desirable to plant a fine and exquisite decoration in the light shadow of deciduous trees. Garden Orchid Venus shoe loves light and loose soil. The basis can be garden land, and as leavening agents, sand and perlite, crushed brick, are suitable. The layer of such soil should be at least 30 cm.

The overflow for these plants is fatal, so it is very useful to make a good drainage of large stones and pieces of bark. Landing must be covered with a layer of pine needles, leaf humus and moss. Winter care is not difficult, it is enough to cover plants with lapnik, and they will live peacefully until the spring. A plentiful and vivid bloom will please you throughout the summer.

Instead of concluding

Cultivation of orchids is a whole world, fascinating and immense. Today we have made a brief overview of the orchids "shoe". Plants are not too whimsical, bright and interesting. Even in a state of rest, they are of some interest. During flowering, they turn into real beauties.