Do you love orchids? So today's post was made for you. Around the world there are about 50 thousand different species of orchids, of these, approximately 20 thousand are found in nature and another 30 thousand were created from the cross between species.
Brazil is one of the countries with the greatest diversity of orchids. About 3500 different species of orchids flourish in our lands. There are so many varieties that it is almost impossible to know all of them, but there are some more common types that are easily found in gardening stores and even supermarkets and it is about these more popular orchids that we are going to talk about today, so you also have to identify your species of orchids.
The orchids, as well as beautiful and super decorative, still bring an extra bonus: they attract hummingbirds, butterflies and bees, creating a true spectacle of nature in the backyard.
Orchids also excel in cooking, as some species of the genus Vanilla are used for extracting vanilla. Another recurring use of the plant is in the perfume and drug industry, did you know that? An example is the orchid Cyrtopodium, a species that acts as a natural healing from the liquid extracted from its stem.
The price of orchids is also something that draws attention. Some species are found by very small values, such as those of the genus Dendobrium, which can be found from R $ 10. However, some rarer species of orchids, as in the case of Paphiopedilum may even cost the trifle of R $ 40 thousand reais.
That is, there are orchids for all tastes and pockets.
How to Grow and Plant Orchids
In general, orchids have similar modes of cultivation, differing in a few details. Take note below of the top tips for growing orchids:
Regas
Orchids suffer more from excess than from lack of water, so in doubt, the recommendation is: do not water. The main way you know if your orchid needs water is by touching the substrate and feeling if it is dry or moist. As a rule, orchids should be watered two to three times a week and a little more on the hottest days of the year. The watering should be done until the water begins to flow through the dish and an important tip: Always water the orchid from top to bottom. If you put water in the dish, you run the risk of drowning the orchid, and of course creating a crib for the dengue mosquito.
Some species of orchids should not be watered on the leaves and flowers, find out beforehand.
Light
Orchids need natural light to stay beautiful and healthy, but that does not mean direct exposure to the sun. The king star can burn the plant. However, the absence of light is also harmful to orchids. Ideally, they should be placed in a cool, airy place with plenty of indirect light, just as they are in nature, always in the shade of a tree.
Fertilizing
Orchids remove the nutrients that need the substrate that surrounds their roots, but you can supplement their "feeding" with specific fertilizers for orchids sold in specialty stores. It is recommended to fertilize every twenty days, but never overdo the dose. Excess manure can kill the orchid.
Vase
The ideal vase for orchids are those of clay, which will keep the substrate fresh. However, the clay pot tends to compete for water from the watering and this will require you to monitor the moisture of the substrate more often. Another option are the coconut fiber pots.
Time to change pot
Orchids need, from time to time, a new vessel that supports their growth. You will notice this need when you notice the excess plant roots and when the substrate is no longer absorbing the water from the watering. In this case, carefully remove the old substrate and remove old and dried roots. Then place your orchid in another vase with new substrate.
Common pest in orchids
Like all plants, orchids can also become a victim of pests. The most common are aphids and scale insects. To remove the aphids from the orchid, make a preparation with water and neutral detergent and spray in the places where you see the aphids, and the mealybugs should be removed manually with the help of a soft bristled brush.
Check Out Other Orchid Care Tips
Know the types of orchids in pictures
Picture 1 - Orchid Arundina: this orchid species is also known as bamboo orchid and comes from Asia. Unlike other species, this is one of the orchids that can be planted in the soil.
Picture 2 - Orchid Arundina: the species resists very well in the sun and can get to measure up to 2.5 meters in height.
Picture 3 - Orchid Astronaut: this species is considered a rare type and has an exotic look that enchants collectors and orchid lovers from all over the world.
Picture 4 - The Orchid Astronaut is a beautiful option of ornamental plant for home decoration .
Picture 5 - Ballerina Orchid is a work of art of nature, the singular shape of the flower attracts attention, such beauty and delicacy. This species is native to Australia.
Picture 6 - The dancer orchid, however, is a rare and difficult species to be found for sale.
Image 7 - Barkeria Orchid: the name of this species comes from the English researcher and botanist George Barker.
Picture 8 - The barkeria orchid is a small native species of Central America, in countries like Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Image 9 - Orchid Capuz de Nun: this orchid species is found in nature in places of high altitude, close to 1300 meters. Native to Asia, the Nun's Hood can be grown both on land and in pots.
Picture 10 - The orchid Capuz de Freira has high branches, reaching to 1,8 meters, with abundant flowers that open from the bottom up.
Image 11 - Cattleya Orchid Haw Yuan Angel: Very popular in Brazil, the orchids of the genus Cattleya have white, yellow and pink flowers of about twenty centimeters each.
Picture 12 - The Cattleya Haw Yuan Angel Orchid is easy to grow, however, it only blooms once a year.
Picture 13 - The Orchid Cattleya Haw Yuan Angel is easy to grow, however, only blooms once a year.
Image 14 - Difficult to be found the orchid Julio Conceição is a species sensitive to climatic variations and should live in half shade.
Picture 15 - Cattleya Labiata Orchid: This was the first species of orchid cataloged in Brazil, very common in the northeast, reason for which it gained the name of "queen of the sertão".
Picture 16 - The orchid Cattleya Labiata has an abundant flowering and a wonderful perfume.
Picture 17 - Orchid Cattleya Mossiae: natural species of the Venezuelan forests. This small orchid surprises by the exuberance of its white flowers blended in the center with colors ranging from yellow to purple.
Image 18 - Cattleya Mossiae requires careful attention to watering, especially when it is close to flowering, where watering should be further spaced.
Image 19 - Cattleya Walkeriana Orchid: this species is considered as one of the most beautiful by orchidophiles. Cattleya Walkeriana is native to Brazil and was discovered by the Englishman George Garder in 1839 on the banks of the São Francisco River.
Image 20 - The Cattleya Walkeriana Orchid can cost around R $ 3,000.
Image 21 - Golden Rain Orchid: these orchids are scientifically known as Oncidium, a genus that goes from 600 cataloged species.
Image 22 - The Golden Rain Orchid is popular for its delicate, cheerful beauty and, of course, the golden yellow tone of its flowers, which makes it a spectacle for interior decorations.
Image 23 - Dendrobium orchid: one of the main characteristics of this orchid are the various small flowers that are born in a single branch.
Image 24 - The large-scale production of the genus Dendobrium has cheapened the cost of this orchid and today it can be easily found for prices starting at R $ 10.
Image 25 - Denphal Orchid: this orchid is one among several belonging to the genus Dendobrium. The intense flowering and colors presented by this orchid are one of its greatest highlights.
Image 26 - In addition to the exuberant flowering, the Denphal can bloom at any time of year and its flowers can last up to three months.
Image 27 - Orchid Epidendrum Rosa: this orchid belongs to one of the most important genera of orchids, the Epidendrum. There are currently about 1427 species of this type.
Image 28 - The Pink Epidendrum Orchid is easy to grow, but deserves extra care with substrate moisture.
Image 29 - Orchid Habenaria: exotic and very different from other orchids, the Habenaria resembles a heron with open wings.
Image 30 - The Orchid Habenaria is a native species of Japan and can develop both on the earth and in the pot.
Image 31 - Orchid Hybrid: Hybrid orchids are human creations and result from the crossing between different species, providing new qualities of orchids with colors and shapes that do not exist naturally in nature.
Picture 32 - Orchid Hybrid: the care with a hybrid orchid are the same with any other type of orchid, but ideally you know from which species your orchid originated, so you can cultivate it more appropriately.
Image 33 - Orchid Ludisia is the only species of the genus and draws attention mainly for the beauty of its leaves, mixed between shades of red and green.
Image 34 - The Ludisia, also known as orchid jewelry, is a terrestrial species that needs a place with good shading to develop.
Image 35 - Black Orchid: impossible to be enchanted by the rare and beautiful black orchid, this species is native to the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil.
Picture 36 - Despite the name, the flowers of the Black Orchid have a dark red coloration. To grow it, it is important to keep the environment warm and humid, but not over-watering the roots.
Image 37 - Orchid Neobenthamia Gracilis: popularly known as orchid bridal bouquet, this is another of the terrestrial species.
Picture 38 - The Neobenthamia Gracilis forms enormous clumps and that can reach to two meters of height.
Image 39 - White Phalaenopsis Orchid: The genus of Phalaenopsis orchids is one of the most common and popular in Brazil, their colors vary from white to yellow to red.
Picture 40 - The White Phalaenopsis stands out for requiring relatively simple care of cultivation and for adapting very well to indoor and in low light, that is, making it a great option for indoors.
Image 41 - Southern Princess orchid: this species is native to the southern and southeastern states of Brazil, and is also the flower symbol of the state of Santa Catarina.
Image 42 - The Southern Princess orchid develops best in places with a cold and humid climate.
Image 43 - Sapphire Orchid: this orchid belongs to the genus Cypripedium and is characterized by the shell shape of its lip.
Picture 44 - To keep the orchid shoes always beautiful it is important to leave it in a well-lit place, but without direct sunlight.
Image 45 - Terrestrial Orchids: Terrestrial orchids are those that grow directly on land, over humus or leaves, but can also be grown in pots. These orchids are ideal for outdoor landscaping of gardens.
Picture 46 - There is a huge variety of terrestrial orchids around the world, but cultivation care is generally the same.
Picture 47 - Tipmalee Orchid: it is the perfect species for those who look for an exotic orchid and of vibrant colors, since its petals alternate between the golden yellow and the red one.
Image 48 - The Tipmalee can bloom for up to two months, when well cared for.
Picture 49 - The Tipmalee can bloom for up to two months, when well cared for.
Image 50 - The Vanda orchid can be cultivated suspended with free roots, giving an even more interesting look.
Image 51 - Vanilla orchid: the great highlight of the orchids of the genus Vanilla are not their flowers, but their fruits from which the vanilla is extracted, widely used in cooking.
Image 52 - Brazil has many species of the genus Vanilla.
