Wild Cat Orchid: photo, description and care
Orchid are the most numerous plants that delight others. Shrub forms and lignified lianas are much less common. The size of such orchids can be from a few centimeters to a couple of meters.
Orchids are used to using other plants to live on them. This way of life is not parasitic, because they do not harm their cohabitants. Flowers do not completely depend on the soil, so they can grow on various objects that receive nutrients.
Orchids of the Wild Cat variety are considered not only beautiful representatives of tropical plants, but also bewitching indoor flowers. They are very beautiful, therefore they are popular all over the world. Florists are ready to do anything to get such orchids in their collection.
Description of appearance
This plant rightfully stands out among the other representatives of such flowers. Orchids prefer to settle on rocky surfaces, but on the ground it is almost impossible to meet them. They live in those regions that have a temperate climate. A houseplant surprises with its riot of colors.
Reference! Many scientists have verified that this species was obtained by crossing several varieties of orchids.The wild cat crosses well with other representatives of the variety, so you can get a more magnificent flower. When buying an orchid in a potter, it is impossible to immediately determine which genus it belongs to. From the photo we can say that the Wild cat is more reminiscent of its predecessors than modern species.
The wild cat plant belongs to the incredible orchid family. A true place of appearance can be considered all the countries of the Malay archipelago. These indoor plants perfectly adapt to new conditions, so you can safely replenish your collections with a beautiful orchid variety.
It is worth noting that in the natural environment such a plant can be found in Australia or the Philippines. You can buy such an orchid in flower shops, but it is also possible to order it in online stores. You can easily see not only the photo of the plant, but also learn about the features of care and maintenance at home.
Photo
Next, you can see the photo of the plant:
Bloom
Often, beginners who decide to engage in the cultivation of ornamental plants are faced with the fact that orchids do not bloom. They begin to worry about this, without thinking about the fact that the plant can still be saved. Buying a flower in a store. It is necessary to inquire about his age, because Wild cat begins to bloom only in the second year of lifeif it is properly looked after.
It often happens that sellers do not know the age of the orchid, so you can navigate by the number of leaves. If there are six leaves, then such a plant is ready for flowering.
Important! In order for the orchid to release its color, it is necessary to apply a temperature difference in the morning and evening. The difference in indicators should be no more than seven degrees.If the Wild cat does not start to bloom even after a temperature difference, then other methods should be used, which include:
- lack of watering for several weeks;
- air temperature drops to sixteen degrees.
Experts do not recommend applying these techniques at the same time, because the plant may die. If you still manage to achieve flowering, then the plant will pleasantly surprise you, because the flowers will last long enough. A few days after flowering, the Wild Cat orchid can produce several more flowers that were in sleeping buds.
Proper care
If the owner of such a wonderful miracle adheres to certain rules for care, then he will get a wonderful orchid that will bloom for a long time. For the proper growth and development of the plant, the following features must be considered:
- Seat selection. The flower should be placed where it will be light enough, but not cold. Often people mistakenly place pots of orchids on the windowsill, and then wonder why the flowers die. The fact is that this plant does not like cold and direct sunlight, so these nuances should be taken into account.
- Soil preparation. Before you put the plant in the potter, you should prepare the soil, because it must be saturated with nutrients. Often, the bark of a tree is laid at the bottom, which will saturate the flower and give it all the necessary vitamins.
- Lighting. Wild cat orchids prefer a softer and more diffused light, so it is better to put the plant on the eastern side of the room. In the summer, you should protect the orchid from direct sunlight, so it is better to cover the window with foil.
- Watering. Many gardeners do not know how to water an orchid correctly, but they believe that the more water, the better. Watering is completely dependent on air temperature, because if it is very hot, then watering should be increased, and if it is cold, then reduced.Important! Be sure to put good drainage at the bottom so that it retains the required amount of moisture.
- Fertilizers In order to feed the orchid you need to use ready-made mixtures, which are sold in stores. Folk remedies can harm the plant and bring it closer to death.
- Air humidity. It is humidity that is of great importance for the flower, therefore it is worth taking this issue seriously and placing the plant on a pallet. Spraying the flower is not recommended, because it can cause rotting of the leaves.
- Plant transplant. Every two years, an orchid should be transplanted, because the roots will gradually develop, so they need more space. Recently, people plant orchids in plastic pots in order to independently monitor how much the roots have grown.
During flowering
In order for the plant to please the owner as long as possible with its appearance, one should adhere to certain rules for care. It is necessary:
- increase watering of the plant during the formation of buds;
- the temperature also increases by 5 degrees at night;
- the leaves are gently wiped with a damp cloth and the plant is checked for pests.
If a person discovers any violations of the integrity of the flower, it is necessary to take measures to combat parasites that can interfere with normal flowering.
After
As soon as the plant has ceased to produce color, it is necessary to carefully trim the orchid. The old buds of the plant are also removed so that new ones can form in their place.
Often the interval between flowering can be short and during this time the plant does not have time to fully recover. A person can help a flower in this matter. Because after flowering, you should start enhanced dressing with all nutrients.
During the intermediate rest, it is necessary to provide orchids with proper care:
- The air temperature must be correctly selected.
- Lighting is evenly distributed.
- Watering the plant should not be often to prevent rotting of the root system.
Orchid owners often notice problems with their plant. These can be a variety of diseases caused by parasites. Wild cat most often suffers from gray rot and fusarium. Any drug may be suitable for treating such diseases. It is also worth looking at the plant for ticks and thrips that feast on juices. To eliminate such pests, you need to use intecticides.
Orchids, of course, are quite capricious in care, but it is worth noting that all varieties are incredibly beautiful and elegant. Many flower collectors prefer only such a variety as Wild Cat, because the plant is small but notable.