An orchid needs careful and careful care; special attention should also be paid to planting. If you plant orchid bulbs from Vietnam correctly, this exotic plant will delight you with its beauty and pleasant aroma for a long time.
There are 2 types of orchids in Vietnam: ground and aerial. Terrestrial ones grow from the ground in places where there is garbage and humus. Aerial ones grow into tree trunks.
Terrestrial Vietnamese orchids are divided into the following types:
- Paphiopedilum Vietnamese
- Paphiopedilum siamese
- Appleton's Paphiopedilum
- Paphiopedilum beardedum
- Paphiopedilum is beautiful
- Paphiopedilum uniflorum
- Paphiopedilum Elena.
Vietnamese orchids are sold at special flower markets in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Lat. They are inexpensive, which makes this plant a popular souvenir that Russian tourists bring from this Asian country.
Features of plant growth in its habitat
The orchid from Vietnam is a beautiful flower of the bulbous family . Tourists willingly take it to the harsh climate of Russia to fill their home with the drunken aromas of the East, to remember for as long as possible the impressions of their recent trip to the eastern country and its unusual local flavor. This plant grows in the wild on the trunks of giant trees. The best terrain for its growth and flowering is regions with a humid continental climate and good lighting.
- Ground . Their roots grow into the soil and fill cavities in the rocks, if organic remains are preserved in them. The flowers on them are large and bright, the leaves are dense.
- Airborne . Their roots grow into tree trunks. Delicate buds hang down and thin out the soft aroma.
Reference. Tourists who buy an orchid in a pot will not pass customs control in Vietnam. It cannot be taken out of the country in this form. Tourists who have purchased orchid bulbs pass through customs control without hindrance.
Transplantation
Orchids need to be replanted frequently, because the substrate quickly deteriorates, it becomes too dense, and its acidity changes. So flowers growing on sphagnum are replanted every two years, on bark every three years. Sometimes you have to do this more often if pests appear, if the substrate clearly begins to deteriorate (which can be indicated by an unpleasant odor), if improper watering has led to rotting of the roots. The best time for this is spring, when the flower grows most actively.
For transplantation, take new transparent dishes of a slightly larger size and a new substrate. In the same way, stones and a drainage layer are placed on the bottom, then the substrate itself is placed. The flower is watered abundantly so that it can be removed without causing the slightest harm. Sometimes you have to sacrifice an old pot; it is broken or cut if the substrate has become so compacted that even after watering it is not possible to remove the plant. The roots of the plant are placed in warm water to completely free it from the old substrate. If there are damaged or rotten roots or leaves, they should be carefully cut off and the cut areas should be sprinkled with crushed coal.
Names of Paphiopedilum species and photos
Let's look at the types of this flower and their photos.
Vietnamese
It is memorable for its unusual lower flowers. Their color varies. Looking at the flowers, it seems that the petal located below is a pocket . It resembles a shoe.
Appleton
It stands out with large (about 10 cm in diameter) brown-violet buds, which emit a pleasant aroma.
Siamese
Only one flower with lilac-green petals blooms on one peduncle. In its lower part there is a darker petal.
Beautiful
During flowering, buds 6-8 cm in diameter of an orange-green hue with green veins with black specks bloom on it.
Single-flowered
During the flowering period, 1-2 flowers with a diameter of no more than 7 cm are formed on a short peduncle. It differs from other types of Vietnamese orchids in that it blooms early.
Elena
It blooms for three months. It has single yellow flowers .
Bearded
It has burgundy buds, which are edged with a pale border.
Requirements for bulbs
When buying Vietnamese orchids, you should pay attention to the following points:
- tubers should be fresh, not dry;
- good planting material is green, bad planting material is brownish-brown;
- You should not take onions that are too light;
- the presence of a sprout or bud indicates that the orchids are alive;
- large size does not indicate that the orchid bulbs are of high quality;
- If the storage rules are followed, the bulbs at the tips dry out slightly.
All these signs are easily detected when examining the bulbs. If possible, you should ask the seller about the timing of harvesting the tubers, because their germination persists for 5-6 months. As a rule, planting material is packaged in black bags, which facilitate transportation. The main thing is to periodically open it so that the bulbs do not dry out or rot.
Prices for planting material
The online store orchidee.su sells different types of Paphiopedilum at prices starting from 900 rubles (the cost of delivery depends on the region where it will be delivered). If you are lucky enough to visit Vietnam, in Vung Tao, then in numerous shops and flower shops found on every corner they sell the bulb of the Vietnamese orchid much cheaper. Most varieties are found in natural parks, for example, in Dalat, where you can also buy it. Cheaper plants can be found at the Cho Dam market in Nha Trang .
How to properly grow a flower at home?
Any orchid bulba brought from Vietnam is planted in the ground immediately upon arrival in their homeland.
Soil requirements
Over time, the soil in which the exotic plant grows loses acidity. If you do not replant in time, the soil will become dense. Then it will begin to decompose. Because of this, root growth will slow down. By allowing the soil to become waterlogged, the grower will harm the plant. Its roots rot, as a result of which it will soon die.
The frequency of replanting depends on the soil in which the orchid grows . A flower growing in a bark substrate needs a replant every three years, and once every two years if it grows in sphagnum. It is done in the spring, when the orchid enters the active growth phase. Sometimes they don’t wait until spring because:
- the substrate decomposes;
- pests (mites, nematodes) were noticed in the pot;
- the roots rot due to frequent watering.
Bulba, an orchid brought from Vietnam, is planted in the ground immediately after arriving in Russia. Otherwise she will disappear.
Orchids from Vietnam are demanding on the composition of the substrate . Typically, gardeners buy ready-made substrate to avoid problems in the future. Be sure to read the labels before purchasing. The composition must necessarily include the following components:
- sphagnum moss;
- conifer bark;
- coconut chips.
In addition to this ready-made mixture, artificial rockwool fiber is purchased.
Important. Before planting, the substrate is thoroughly moistened.
The bulb of the Vietnamese orchid is planted, following some rules:
- Its lower part must be attached to the ground. If you do not take this fact into account, roots will not appear on it.
- Do not sprinkle it with the substrate itself. It should remain on the surface, and to prevent it from falling, prop it up with a stick.
You can read about what kind of soil an orchid needs and what the basic requirements for it are here.
Inventory
- Bulba orchid from Vietnam.
- An ordinary plastic transparent pot. Read about choosing a pot for this beauty here.
- Substrate.
Planting a tuber
Before planting the bulb, you need to know some of the features of Vietnamese orchids. The bulb is not part of the flower. Only a month after planting will shoots emerge from it, which will become the stems of the future orchid. It does not need watering until shoots appear. They don’t worry about watering, since the bulb itself is a storehouse of water and nutrients . Sometimes they appear only after a month.
- You need to find suitable containers for planting. It is often better to use a plastic bottle for this. Transparent walls will allow you to observe the process of root formation. Sometimes the bulba is planted in a plastic mayonnaise bucket. A bucket is more stable than a bottle.
After finding a suitable container, make holes in it.- First large and then small pebbles are placed at the bottom. They are needed for drainage.
- After laying the drainage, you need to lay out the substrate.
- It is necessary to thoroughly water the substrate so that it settles.
- We need to install the bulb. It is deepened by 1 cm and supported with a stick, preventing cases of falling.
- After this, the dishes with the onion are placed on a well-lit windowsill.
- You cannot water the plant before the roots appear, otherwise it will rot.
The adventitious buds formed in the upper part of the bulb are the basis for the formation of orchid stems.
You will learn all the subtleties and nuances of planting an orchid in a separate article.
Orchids monopodial
These plants do not have bulbs, so water and nutrients are stored in the fleshy leaves and succulent stems. Monopodial orchids from Vietnam have one growing point and one stem that grows upward indefinitely. In nature, there are orchids that grow on a branch. During a strong wind, they are torn off, they get caught on some snag, and then straighten out again and grow evenly.
An example is the Vanda orchid. They differ from sympodial ones by the absence of pseudobulbs. The following orchids belong to this variety: Vanda, Phalaenopsis and others.
Problems and difficulties
Advice. If the orchid is withering away and no pests are visible, dip the pot with it in soda.
Sometimes a gardener, after planting a Vietnamese orchid bulb, notices pests in the soil. She is a tasty prey for thrips, mites and roundworms. More often this happens when it gives roots and stems appear from the adventitious bud.
- If affected by thrips, isolate the plant by washing it in the shower and treating it with insecticides.
- If you are affected by nematodes, you will have to say goodbye to it, since none of the drugs known today will help get rid of them forever.
Care
In order for the bulb of a Vietnamese orchid to germinate, it is important to create suitable conditions for it. It will germinate if the room is hot. Air humidity should be high . The light is scattered. It is better to place the bottle with it on a window facing south.
- The optimal day and night temperatures are +18 and above +20 degrees Celsius, respectively.
- Air humidity – 60%.
- Watering is not required in the first month after planting, but later the plant is watered in the morning by immersing it in a container of water (40⁰C).
Below you can watch a video on how to care for such an orchid:
For orchid lovers, it doesn’t matter how they got this beautiful plant - with seeds from China, buying Thai beauty in a bottle, or simply purchasing it in any specialized store. The main thing is how it will take root with you, whether you can provide it with proper care. Read our materials on how to grow an orchid in a closed system, what a baby is and how to plant it correctly, what are the features of growing it in a flask or from seeds at home, and whether it is possible to grow a plant in water.
Reviews
Reviews from people who have encountered these flowers:
The bright colors of its petals are pleasing to the eye. Even the most whimsical bouquets pale next to these amazing creatures in pots. The complex inflorescence will not leave anyone indifferent. Despite the capriciousness of this species, you should not refuse to purchase at least one bulb. Over time, such a purchase will meet all your expectations.
An orchid is a worthy and appropriate gift for all occasions. Be it a birthday, wedding anniversary or a present for a work colleague. This flower will amaze anyone with its effectiveness. It has the energy of inspiration, reveals a person’s hidden resources, giving rise to new ideas and pushing him to take decisive action. An orchid is a symbol of happiness, and this does not require much - just proper care for it.
This fascinating process of growing exotic crops is addictive. It all starts with one bulb brought from Vietnam. Of course, even experienced flower growers fail, and some beauties die for various reasons. But if you build an algorithm for care: diffused light, avoid drafts and overheating, do not overdry or flood the roots of flowers, replant on time and correctly, do not water with cold chlorinated water, then success will be ensured and the work will be justified.
Growing an orchid is a risk. But this risk is justified; the main thing is to plant the orchid bulb correctly. By applying a minimum of care to this sensitive, but truly gorgeous flower, you can get the maximum result of your labors - the Lady's Slipper will reveal itself in all its diversity and color.
