What is Phalaenopsis Wild Cat and how to care for it?

Today, the orchid is more and more confidently winning the title of Queen of Flowers from a rose - you can find it not only in greenhouses and on window sills.

An orchid, as a symbol of love, tenderness and passion, is presented to lovers of any gender, wanting to show the depth and purity of their feelings.

Phalaenopsis is especially popular. Today, there are more than 70 varieties. Among them there is a very rare and beautiful variety - the Wild Cat orchid (Wild Cat).

What is it?

The orchid family is vast and includes many species. The most common of them is phalaenopsis, a beautiful and unpretentious flower. It belongs to the genus epiphytic, rarely lithophytic, plants. His homeland is the countries of South Asia, such as India or China.

The Wild Cat Orchid, which will be discussed later, grows in the mountain forests of the Philippines and the humid plains of Australia. The name of the species - translated as "butterfly-like" - was given by Karl Blume, who confused in the dark the phalaenopsis orchid flower with the butterfly.

Reference! Well, "Wild Cat" was called the appearance of phalaenopsis because of the characteristic spotty red-yellow color, similar to the hair of a wild cat. One more name can be found: White Cat. This is the same variety.

Read more about what color happens in the natural environment of phalaenopsis, read here.

Phalaenopsis is popular for several reasons.:

• Its flowers always make a lasting impression. This is especially true of the "cat" with its spectacular coloring. It is immediately evident that the plant is tropical, unusual!
• Of all the orchid species, phalaenopsis is the most unpretentious and relatively easy to care for.
• The phalaenopsis bloom periods are quite long and frequent - the plant blooms most of the year. Wild Cat is sure to bloom twice a year.

Description

Phalaenopsis Wild Cat is a rare varietal orchid with dense wax flowers. Their aroma is barely perceptible. Petals and sepals are white or yellow with cherry-purple spots, the lip is slightly brighter with yellow stains. There are usually so many spots that the flower from a distance looks dark cherry or purple, with the approach of this optical effect disappears. It also attracts orchid lovers.

Wild Cat blooms twice a year. The plant can produce a peduncle up to 60 cm long! The flowers are rather large (about 10 cm in diameter). Due to the high wax content, the flower seems to sparkle, which looks very beautiful.

Wild Cat's leaves are large, rounded, wide and leathery.have a light shine. In an adult plant, they are usually from 4 to 6. Between the leaves arranged in two rows, gray-green roots grow, which serve to fix the flower on the tree and actively participate in photosynthesis. The plant itself is low, up to 50 cm, with a short stem.

Photo

Next, you can see a photo of an amazing variety:

Difference from other species

Since phalaenopsis has a lot of subspecies, even a specialist will not always be able to distinguish them from each other. But with the Wild Cat, such a situation is impossible: the cat has a very characteristic coloring! However, if you have acquired a non-flowering plant, you cannot distinguish it by leaves, you will have to wait.

Important! Wild Cat is an expensive variety. If you do not want cheating, it is better to buy a plant with at least one blooming bud.

Due to its price and unusual color, the Wild Cat is considered a rare variety: lilac shades in orchids are raretherefore highly valued in the horticultural environment. You will not meet him in the apartment of a beginner grower. And on the forums, the burgeoning cat (and its mere presence in the collection) is considered a matter of pride.

Nevertheless, there are no special differences both in the plant itself and in the principle of caring for it from the other varieties of phalaenopsis. Unless you will take care more diligently and carefully, remembering its rarity - in this case he will naturally thank you with lush flowering.

In nature, there are no phalaenopsis of uniform bright violet (as well as a blue hue) - these are colored flowers that may die soon after purchase, and not a new version of the Cat. The bright tips of peduncles should be alert.

Bloom

The average flowering time of the Wild Cat is about 3 months. This species of orchid does not have a particularly pronounced dormant period, therefore, under suitable conditions, it can bloom even in winter. In successful circumstances, the phalaenopsis Wild cat blooms with charges - after each flowering wave, after a month of rest, new buds wake up on living peduncles and it blooms again.

The size of the flower is about 7.5 cm. If the flowers are significantly smaller, or the Cat has not bloomed at least 2 times a year - this is an occasion to beware. Most likely, some conditions are not suitable for him. Wild Cat's flowers form clusters and hold for a long time, exuding a light and pleasant aroma.

When the buds appear on the peduncle, carefully attach it to the special holder so that it stays upright.

After the "cat" has faded, it is not necessary to cut the peduncle - only if it is completely dry. It will be enough to cut the peduncle to the first sleeping bud (about 1.5 cm above) and treat the dried section with disinfectants. Soon, the bud will awaken and give rise to a lateral peduncle, flowers on which will be smaller than on the main one.

During this period, the plant can be transplanted, since during flowering or active growth this should not be done.

Before flowering, the orchid can be placed in a slightly cooler room and reduce watering - This will extend the flowering period. You can also gently spray the peduncle with warm water.

Sometimes Cats are stubborn and do not want to bloom - in this case they need to be stimulated. As for other varieties, an increase in the difference in temperature between day and night (but no more than 3 degrees!) Is suitable.

Attention! You can make the plant bloom by creating all the necessary conditions for this: sufficient lighting, proper watering, lack of stress and unnecessary movement of the flower pot.

It is necessary to determine whether the plant is ready for flowering. Usually at this point in the flower appears 5-8 adult shoots, this happens when the orchid reaches 1.5-3 years of age. Prior to this, flowering is not worth it.

The following is a visual video on how the Wild Cat orchid blooms:

Step-by-step care instructions

1. Seat selection.Put orchid should be on the southeast, west or southwest window. In the north it will be too dark or need frequent exposure. The southern window, especially in summer, is dangerous in direct sunlight, the plant will have to be additionally shaded.
2. Soil and pot preparation.For an orchid, you can buy a ready-made substrate in a store or make it yourself from a pine bark (boiling and chopping it), sphagnum moss and peat. The Wild Cat pot is better to take transparent or translucent, plastic is a moody variety, and you can control when to water it. In the case of ceramics, the watering time will have to be determined by weighing the pot on the hand, which only experienced gardeners can do.
3. Temperature.In summer, you should adhere to a framework of 25-30 ℃, in winter - 20 ℃ and above. A strong difference between day and night temperature is unacceptable.
4. Air humidity. Must be at least 40-60%, when the level of 25-30% is reached, the flower is in danger of drying out and may die.
5. Lighting“Cats” love bright lighting, daylight hours at any time of the year should be an average of 12 hours. It is desirable that this be natural light, but plants can be illuminated artificially. Use optimally LED and fluorescent lamps for this.

   Completely artificial lighting is undesirable, the plant should receive at least a little sunlight.

6. Watering.Water wild cat should be watered at least 2 times a week in summer. Before watering, make sure that the substrate has dried out well. The less light and body a plant receives, the less often it needs to be moistened.Reference! Do not water the plant at night and make sure that the water does not fall into the center, as this can lead to its decay.
7. Top dressing.Fertilize the plant should be in the period of growth, and during flowering should not be done. Choose fertilizers specifically designed for orchids and follow the instructions on them.
8. TransferWild Cat needs a transplant every two years. Transplant the flower carefully. After removing from the substrate, carefully inspect the roots and cut off any defective ones. After planting in a pot for several days, do not water until the wounds on the roots are healed.

Breeding

Propagation of the Wild Cat, as a rare variety, is especially important. You can pay well for a “kitten,” it is also possible to propagate the plant for exchange for other varieties. There are several ways to get several plants from one:

1. First way - if children appeared on the stalk of your Cat, then they should not be planted before 2 leaves appear on them, and the air roots do not reach 5 cm.
2. Second way - after flowering, you can cut a live flower stalk and divide into parts, each of which should have at least 1 sleeping bud. They are germinated in a special greenhouse with moss at a temperature of 25-27 ℃, and then planted.
3. Third way - separation. When transplanting, a powerful outlet can be cut and planted in different pots. In each case, the plant will bloom when it gets stronger - after 2-3 years.

Only a healthy plant can be propagated, in no case during the flowering period. Until the Wild Cat fades at least once, it is useless to breed.

Diseases and Pests

The main diseases characteristic of the Wild Cat variety are fusarium and gray rot, for the treatment of which any modern drug is suitable. It is also worth protecting the plant from spider mites and thrips, for the destruction of which intexicides are used. The Wild Cat may get sick from insufficiently attentive care - to some extent he is a whim. Also beware of flooding the plant.

Prevention of various problems

Best Disease Prevention - Proper Care. Well light the flower, fertilize and replant on time and do not give in to unnecessary stresses - your Wild Cat will certainly thank you with flowers and a long life.

Phalaenopsis Wild Cat - one of the most popular varieties of orchids at the moment. And not in vain - he is beautiful, often pleases with the appearance of flowers and is not too demanding in care. But buying it is not easy - it is a rare and expensive variety, so it is better to purchase it for gardeners with sufficient experience in orchid cultivation.

Watch the video: Orchid care Phalaenopsis alternative Oncidium Colmanara Wildcat (May 2024).