Orchid can rightly be called one of the most popular colors of modern times. The demand for it is now quite large and at what it does not cease to grow. Therefore, breeders, in order to please even the most fastidious and “spoiled” flower growers, try to bring out more and more new varieties.
Phalaenopsis Big Lip, which appeared among the Orchids recently. The second name of this beauty, which can be seen in the photo below - Leontin. This article will provide all the information about Phalaenopsis Big Lip.
What it is: botanical description
Stem bowl slightly shortened. The leaves are quite wide, in length can grow up to thirty centimeters. Leaf plates remain green all the time. Often in adults Leontinov has about five or six leaves.
Big limes, like all other phalaenopsis, do not have the opportunity to grow a bush, since all growth goes only upwards. Usually it is from one to several flower stalks, on which a variety of flowers appear. One of the features of any orchid can be considered the presence of aerial roots.
Flowers themselves after full blooming become like butterflies. The number of flower stalks and buds on them is 90% dependent on care. Rhizomes are always green due to the chlorophyll present in them. This means that the root system takes part in photosynthesis along with the leaves.
Leontin is a type of orchid that can be found extremely rarely in the free market.
A photo
Below you will see a photo of an orchid of this species:
History of
Only a few years ago, Big Leap was presented to the general public - in 2012. It happened in Holland. The variety is hybrid and has resulted from the interbreeding of other Orchid species. The plant received its second name in honor of the famous TV presenter in the Netherlands - Leontin Borsato.
Differences from other species
There are no differences that relate to the internal structure of the Big Lipa, does not exist. Usually new varieties are displayed for one reason only: to diversify the color range of existing orchid species. Leontin was no exception. The highlight of this species is large flowers and new shades, which does not exist in nature.
Podsort and color options
So, now you can find the following shades of the orchid described:
- bilberry;
- white with black pigmentation;
- light pink;
- lilac (rarely found with white specks);
- pure white;
- white with pink dots;
- blue (almost impossible to find on sale).
Bloom
When and how?
In natural conditions (tropical forests) the orchid begins to open its buds at the end of the rainy season, the duration of which can reach several months.
Usually bloom occurs in late November. However, in home cultivation, see the blooming flowers at any time. The main thing - to provide the necessary conditions for this. Moreover, the buds can bloom several times a year. But do not get too carried away with this, because flowering requires a lot of energy from the orchid. And if this process is very long or frequent, phalaenopsis can begin to hurt due to lack of energy.
Care before and after blooming buds
Before the first flowers appear, orchid care should be standard (it will be described in the article below). But after flowering Phalaenopsis due to its weakness requires special attention and approach. After dropping all the buds from the peduncle, the florist must perform the following actions.
- Trim the peduncle.
But this should not be done immediately. It is worth waiting until it dries completely. In the past it is impossible to do this in any case, because it is in the floral arrow that all the nutritional elements that help Bill Lip recover after blooming buds are preserved.
- Remove the flower spike need correct.
If it dried out completely, then it should also be cut off completely, leaving a couple of centimeters. If the arrow has partially dried, then it should be cut so that a couple of centimeters of dry area remain above the green part. Do not touch the swollen buds - this is a guarantee of the next flowering.
- Cut areas need treatment.
It is best to do the usual wax. Such manipulation will close the "sore" place, not allowing moisture to get inside, and also preventing it from evaporating. This allows you to not let the plant rot or dry.
- Place phalaenopsis for seven days in a dark place.
This will be a kind of rest for the plant. During this period, there is no need to moisten the soil and especially in the application of fertilizers.
- After recovery, if necessary, transplant leontin.
What if it does not bloom?
In order for the orchid to delight in its flowering, you must fulfill several prerequisites.
Provide plenty of light.But he must be scattered. In no case, the areas of orchids should not fall into direct sunlight.
- Choose the right watering mode.
Do not do this too often. Need to navigate through the roots and ground. Everything should dry out, stand in this form for two or three days, and only after that you can re-moisten the soil.
- It would be nice if a period of drought comes for phalaenopsis.
This is due to the characteristics of tropical forests. During heavy rains there are no insects that pollinate the flower. Therefore, at home, Big Leap thinks that if there is a lot of moisture, then it is not time to bloom.
- Feeding up Leontin need to competently.
It is necessary to carefully study the composition of nutritional complexes. If they contain large amounts of potassium, then only the green part of the plant usually grows. In order to achieve flowering, it is necessary to fertilize the complexes, which consist mainly of nitrogen and phosphorus.
- Create a stressful situation.
This can be achieved in various ways: reduce watering, reduce the frequency of fertilizer application, rearrange the flowerpot in a darker place. This method is considered extreme. Apply it only in the case when the above options do not help.
Provide plenty of light.Important! Do not get involved in too frequent change of the place of residence of the orchid. This can lead to a deterioration of her condition.
Step by Step Growing Instructions
Choosing a place
Stopping on this question, it is necessary to remind that any orchid loves a lot of diffused light. Therefore it is necessary to give preference to the south sides of the room. If this is not possible, then try to place at least in the south-east or south-west. Also, the room must be constantly aired. But do it in such a way as to eliminate the appearance of drafts.
Soil preparation and pot
The pot should always be transparent and smooth. The first condition is explained by the fact that the root system is involved in photosynthesis, so it needs to provide access to the sun. A second condition must be observed so that the roots do not grow into the rough surface of the pot. Inexperienced growers are best to buy ready-made substrate in the store. Soil should be designed specifically for Orchids.
Those who wish to cook it themselves, you need to take the following components in equal shares:
- bark;
- charcoal;
- river sand;
- moss;
- clay granules;
- vegetable fiber.
Temperature
In summer, the air temperature can vary between 20-23 degrees. In winter, these figures can be reduced to 16-18 degrees.
Attention! An important condition for the maintenance of phalaenopsis is the difference in day and night temperatures. The difference should be about 4-5 degrees.
Humidity
Orchid loves moisturized air. But it is better not to spray the plant itself directly. Once a week it is possible to organize a hygienic shower for him, as well as to spray the air around him. Another option to maintain optimal humidity is the placement of a container with water near a flowerpot with an orchid.
Lighting
Once again: the light should be a lot. But he must be absent-minded. Light day varies from ten to twelve hours.
Watering
In this case, it is better to forget to water than to do it very often. You need to wait until the top layer of the substrate dries out, wait a few more days and only then moisten the soil. This can be done in two ways: by immersion and shower. In the second way, not only will the soil be moistened, but the leaf plates will be cleaned from dust.
Top dressing
Fertilize Big Lip flower growers advise no more than once a decade. Choose for this the best ready complex fertilizers, designed specifically for orchids. Fertilizer should be diluted strictly following the instructions.
Transfer
This can not be done as long as Leontin blooms.
To update the soil, experts advise every two to three years. As needed, you need to change the pot. It should be chosen according to the size of the root system: the diameter of the flowerpot should not be much larger than the lump with the roots.
Breeding
Make it very difficult. However, you can familiarize yourself with the existing methods - there are only two of them.
Children.Infrequently on the flower arrows there are lateral processes. They are called children.
It is necessary to wait until these processes take their own roots, and then carefully cut them off the peduncle with a blade and plant them in a small pot. Place the cuts to process crushed coal.
The division of rhizomes.But this method can only be used when the root system is very developed, and there are several shoots on the plant. In this case, it is necessary to divide the roots in such a way that at least one pseudobulbe remains on each part. Plant a divided flower in the usual way.
Children.
The division of rhizomes.Diseases and pests
The occurrence of any disease due to errors in care. Therefore, when abnormalities in the development of phalaenopsis are detected (for example, yellowing or rotting of the plots), the conditions for growing orchids should be reviewed and, if necessary, modified.
You can get rid of pests in three ways:
- Mechanical. That is to collect all attacking hands. But this method is not a guarantee of absolute victory over pests.
- Chemical. Insecticidal preparations are ideal for this. It is necessary to carry out processing at least two times, maintaining an interval of about 5-7 days.
- People's. They can find a large number. But the most popular is rubbing with a soap solution. Some growers resort to using an alcohol solution. But it is not safe for the plant, since alcohol can burn the leaves when evaporated.
Attention! It is possible to overcome all pests and diseases only with a systematic and competent approach.
Prevention of various problems
To avoid any difficulties with the cultivation of Big Lipa, it is enough to follow the guidelines described above. Do not conduct experiments and engage in amateur. It is important to remember that Leontin is a rare type of phalaenopsis. Therefore, to treat him with extreme caution and awe.
