3 essential rules for caring for a potted orchid after purchase at home

Orchids are a genus of ornamental plants whose flowering period lasts from a couple of weeks to six months, depending on the variety. They are often sold with inflorescences on the shoots, but these quickly fall off, which is natural due to changes in the microclimate. If you provide proper care for a potted plant purchased from a store, it will definitely survive and will produce new flower stalks after a while.

What are the growing conditions for flowers in the store?

Before an orchid is purchased, stores maintain its condition to prevent it from dying or losing its marketable appearance. If it loses petals or its condition deteriorates, it won't sell and the price will have to be lowered, which is unprofitable for the seller. Therefore, plants undergo a number of manipulations that are not recommended for home use. The following measures are often used to maintain the perfect condition of an exotic flower:

• fertilizers are applied in excessive quantities;
• inject pigments so that the petals are colored an unnatural shade (for example, blue);
• During watering, stimulants are added to correct the deficiencies in the flower's condition.

Basic care rules

After purchase, the container plant needs to be provided with the necessary conditions to acclimate. This is done by placing it in quarantine for a period of time, partly to prevent diseases and pests from infecting other plants already in the home. After purchase, the plant should be kept in the following conditions:

• high humidity;
• good lighting, but without direct contact with sunlight - light shading is needed;
• stable temperature regime;
• water as needed, avoid over-watering the substrate.

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A change in microclimate causes stress in plants; a specimen will return to normal within 15-20 days after the "move." If flower stalks have withered or buds have fallen, this is a normal reaction to the changed conditions. Regular spraying with an Epin solution can help facilitate the acclimatization process. Dilute the solution according to the instructions and use a fine-mist sprayer. This procedure is performed in the morning, before dawn, or in the evening, after sunset.

During flowering

If the plant is not cared for properly during flowering, it may die. This is due to the flower's weakening: at this time, it will not have enough strength to resist negative influences. Therefore, the flower requires the following conditions:

1. Lighting: From the time the plant buds open, it requires at least 12 hours of daylight. In winter, it's recommended to use phytolamps for supplemental lighting. Do not move the pot, as the plant reacts sensitively to even the slightest change in position.
2. Temperature conditions: To prolong flowering, the temperature in the room where the plant is kept should be maintained between 22 and 26°C. There should be no drafts.
3. Humidity in the room should be maintained at a high level, around 70-80%. During the winter, avoid placing the plant container near heating systems or other heat sources. If the air in the room is dry, add moisture by spraying water near the flower using a fine mist spray. It's important to avoid moisture coming into contact with the petals.
4. Watering schedule. As flowering begins, water the substrate more frequently, but be careful not to overwater the root system. The need for further watering is determined by the condition of the substrate—if it's dry, it's time to moisten it.

After flowering

When the orchid has finished blooming, a waxy coating may be noticeable on the flower stalk. After a while, the buds fall off, and no new buds appear for the next 2-3 weeks. Later, the tip of the flower stalk gradually dries out and turns yellowish-brown. After the buds fall, observe the plant for a while—if the stem remains green, it may bloom again.

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Sympodial orchids should be pruned immediately after flowering—the flower stalks are no longer useful and will not produce new buds. However, some species may rebloom, such as certain varieties of Cambria and Oncidiums. It's best to leave the flower stalks of Phalaenopsis orchids alone, as they typically continue to grow in this area and form new buds. When the plant enters dormancy after flowering, its metabolic processes slow down, so it's important to make appropriate adjustments to care:

1. The flower shouldn't be moved, as this will negatively affect it. It's best to leave it in its current location, but slightly shade the window to avoid exposure to direct sunlight.
2. Water the plant with room-temperature water as the soil dries out. Avoid overwatering, as this will cause root rot.
3. Spray carefully to avoid getting moisture into the kidney sinuses. After spraying, be sure to wipe away any drips with a dry cloth to prevent them from running off.
4. During the dormant period, fertilize the plant no more than once a month. It's best to use light solutions of standard plant food as fertilizer.

The next bloom, after the buds have dropped and the plant has entered dormancy, occurs in 3-6 months. If the flower does not produce flower stalks within this time, it should be stimulated. To do this, reduce watering and ensure significant temperature fluctuations between day and night. Avoid using stimulants, as they will likely exhaust the plant.

Why did the flower suddenly fade after purchase?

Orchid buds may wilt and drop after purchase for various reasons. One possible cause is a stress response due to a change in environment and care.

This happens rarely, and to reduce the risk, you should strictly follow the watering recommendations and additionally feed the orchid with Epin.

Besides stress, bud drop can occur after the flowering period has ended or due to the age of the plant.

The timing of orchid bud formation primarily depends on the plant's lifespan—different species begin blooming at different ages, ranging from 1.5 to 3 years. Premature budding is a negative sign, indicating the need for special fertilizers. Certain types of fertilizers can trigger bud formation, which is often exploited by sellers. This is harmful to a young plant. To determine its age directly in the store, you can follow these guidelines:

1. A flower mature enough to bloom will be larger than a young one. If the stem appears short, the orchid isn't fully grown yet.
2. A mature plant will have a number of stumps from faded buds. The more stumps on the trunk, the older the plant: 1-2 buds are formed per year.
3. The leaves of a mature orchid, like its petals, will be fleshier than those of a young one. However, judging by this characteristic is difficult, as they will also gain density with ample fertilizing and regular watering.

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