How to make the Phalaenopsis orchid to bloom all winter?

The first thing to know the owner orchid - Phalaenopsis have no dormant period as such. Although often write about it in the "benefits" careless avtory- "growers". I give details in theory, why, and how, in practice, to learn from this practical benefit - in the context of this article, make a houseplant to bloom all winter.

Why Phalaenopsis is not even thinking to sleep in winter?

In the wild Phalaenopsis grows in the tropical forests, where there is no significant separation at a temperature of "winter-summer". There is always warm. Therefore phalaenopsis actively growing all year round. Even domestic orchids, are artificial hybrids, have not lost the ability to hereditary.

Where did the myth of the "winter holiday" and recommendations "give your flower to rest?" It's simple: climate change dramatically in our homes with the onset of November and December:

• Humidity significantly lowered
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  . The importance of this indicator for the orchids are incredibly great! It ranges from 80 to as much as 100%! But I note that the phalaenopsis hybrids bred specifically for growing in the home of ordinary apartments, good feel and luxurious bloom and 40-60%.
  And now, some shocking figures, if you had not even interested in the question, the humidity in our homes in the winter is only 25-30%, or even lower. And the reason for it - work heaters actively evaporated moisture. Orchid, once in such terms, falls "into hibernation" if you do not take further action. How easy to solve this problem - read the second part of the article.

• Reduced the duration of daylight. Starting from the natural range of growing Phalaenopsis, which encircles the equator, it becomes clear that for the normal growth of orchids need long days (ideally - 12-16 hours). Time is reduced - phalaenopsis ceases to dissolve buds and grow new flower stalks. For comparison: in December, the duration of daylight is only 6-8 hours. But some manage to bloom orchids and in such circumstances!

What to do?

So, talk about the 3 simple but effective tips on how to make phalaenopsis bloom in winter. I will not talk about the pot, soil, etc., because it is the cornerstone. Specifically on the subject matter.

1. Unforgettably mineral dressing. Now release fertilizer special "orchid" in a convenient liquid form - can only be diluted and watered. But I personally think such means nothing more than a marketing ploy. The composition of NPK is almost indistinguishable from the universal fertilizer to all the flower houseplants.

Like the drug from the "Fusco" - eminent manufacturer, well-proven in the florist environment. I use 1 every 2 weeks. The fertilizer should contain a lot of potassium and phosphorus. At deficiency of these elements orchids do not bloom. Take care to potassium and phosphorus necessarily present in your Phalaenopsis menu.

2. Air humidity. Perhaps the most sensitive issue. The main thing that should be remembered - orchid likes humidity. But the air instead of soil. After all, in the wild, it just hangs on a tree) So in the winter will help us or regular spraying, or the installation of a humidifier. I use and then, and then.

There are 3 other options, but I do not use them:

• Regularly hang on battery under the windowsill pot with a wet towel. I'm too lazy to try it)
• Put the pot on the wetted expanded clay or sphagnum moss. The method is not only useful but also dangerous: constant contact with water will cause root rot.
• Put next to a pot container with water. It will evaporate slowly.

As for watering, then we leave it unchanged. I wet the substrate by immersion, when the roots of Phalaenopsis acquire silver hue, omit the pot in warm water in a basin for 15 minutes. Then I give the surplus drain. To conduct such a procedure is better in the morning to the night bark dry.

3. Shine. If you can not use special lamps, closer to winter, move the orchid to the very sunny window in the house. I put phalaenopsis south-west side, and there it blooms all winter. Well, if the sunlight is scattered! Put thumbs up if you love orchids and the article was useful to you. Here is another useful article about orchids: 5 blunders in the care of phalaenopsis orchid