Blue orchid - a myth or reality?

Orchids grow every day more and morepopular with flower growers. Their shapes and colors strike the imagination, and recently on the shelves of our stores there were also blue orchids. Many doubt: is there such a plant in nature?

In the tropics grows a blue orchid,belonging to the genus Wanda. These plants belong to the epiphytes (attached to the bark of trees and to other supports). To this genus carry about 60 species. Orchid Vanda has a cylindrical stem, covered with strap-like or valvate leathery green leaves. It has strongly developed greenish-gray roots. Blue orchids of this genus can be many- and little-flowered. Inflorescences are axillary, racemose. Flowers of Wanda orchids come in different sizes. In some species, they are up to 15 cm in diameter. Elegant flowers of these orchids can be painted in a variety of shades of blue, blue, purple, yellow, white, red, pink. In different species they are colorful or monophonic. Only some types of Wanda orchids have a strong flavor. These include fragrant orchids, which have a magnificent scent.

Most for growing in room conditionsfits the blue orchid Wanda. This epiphytic plant with a straight stem up to 1 m in height. The belly-shaped leaves with a skewed dentate apex are arranged in 2 rows. The flower of the brush is erect, loose, located on an elongated peduncle. They are from 6 to 15 flowers. They reach 10 cm in diameter, they have a lavender-blue color. Often there are specimens with a dark blue mesh pattern. The petals and sepals are broadly or spatulate-obovate, tapering at the base. The flower's lip is smaller than its other parts, it has a more intense color. Blossoms this species from October to December.

Blue orchid Wanda requires special care. It is light and thermophilic, very demanding to the humidity of the atmospheric air. The most optimal temperature is + 22-25 ° C. The air in the room must have a humidity of at least 70%. At the same time, it must constantly circulate, otherwise the air roots of the orchid will be affected by rot. Lighting should be good (but not direct sunlight). Perhaps for the cultivation of orchids will require additional lighting in the winter. The night temperature should not be less than + 12 ° C. For Wanda blossoms, the night and daytime temperatures must fluctuate within 4-5 ° C.

For the cultivation of Wanda, a substrate ofmixture of bark, sand, coal, moss, expanded clay, cork and perlite. Garden land for its cultivation is not suitable. It is better to buy a ready-made substrate in the store. Experienced growers sometimes grow orchids without any substrate at all. The blue orchid Wanda grows well in baskets, nets and wire pots. To create the necessary humidity, a container filled with water is used. Suitable for this purpose and special moisturizers.

Water the flowers with warm, soft water. It should not stagnate, as it leads to rotting roots. During the growth period, orchids are watered more often and more abundantly (1 river in 3 days). During the relative winter rest watering is reduced. The container with a flower is immersed in water for 10-15 minutes. Or poured from a watering can with a nozzle, like a shower. Water should drain completely from the tank.

Top dressing is done during the period of growth and flowering. Special fertilizers are designed for this purpose. They are added to water during irrigation. Fertilizers are added every 2 weeks.

Propagating orchids at homeextremely difficult. The vegetative method (division) is most often used. Wands are propagated by cuttings and shoots. To this end, cut off the tip of the stem (half of the entire length), having air roots. The cut location is treated with crushed coal. The stem segment is planted in a substrate, left in a warm, shaded place until it takes root. It is sprayed with water daily. At this time, the plant is not watered.

There is also another kind of orchid on sale,having a bright blue color of flowers - Phalaenopsis. This native of Southeast Asia is relatively undemanding in care. Blue "phalaenopsis mix", care of which practically does not differ from other types of orchids - most likely, a successful marketing course of the producers of indoor flowers than the fruit of the work of breeders. In the nature of such shades of this plant species is not found. It is noticed that such orchids (if they live to 3-4 years), with each subsequent flowering are becoming whiter and whiter. Apparently, white phalaenopsis is grown on special coloring substances (as has been done with other kinds of flowers for many years), which eventually are removed from the plant, and it acquires its true, natural color.