Spring is here. Let's get ready. Orchids in the apartment.

Among the most attractive flowers, grown at home, there are certainly orchids. It is more than just a hobby, growing orchids is a real passion and every enthusiast must learn something about these plants, to help them bloom wonderfully and for a long time. Probably the most popular and most marketed orchids in the world are Phalaenopsis and Dendrobium. Unlike the period before the nineteen's, now exotic orchids can be found at any flower shop, they are often affordable, and they are well worth the effort. Here are two varieties of beautiful orchids, many species of which can be grown at home. A genus of orchids that includes about 60 species. In Greek, "Phalaina" means whale and is a name given by Carl Linnaeus to a genus of large moths. Many species of Phalaenopsis are like such butterflies flying, from which they derive their name. However, they are also proud of the beauty of the leaves, as attractive as the flowers. Most species of Phalaenopsis are epiphytic - grow on trees, but some are lithophytic - grow on rocks.

When the flowers appear, they look like pliers, which then turn into big and wonderful flowers, mine are pink. The flowers reach over five cm in diameter. Growers, passionate about this kind of orchid, strive to cross Phalaenopsis orchids so as to obtain large, round flowers with flat petals, of the purest white, pink or striped color.

As a miscellaneous fact: the first orchid hybrid bloomed in 1856, the result of controlled cross-pollination, now officially attests to about 100,000 artificially obtained hybrids. The vast majority of orchids grown at home are hybrids between species. *Wikipedia

Phalaenopsis need filtered sunlight, therefore the plants should be grown in a relatively shady area. The ideal temperature for Phalaenopsis is between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius, and growing Phalaenopsis orchids in hot weather is more difficult. We must make sure that the plant does not dehydrate. But beware, excess watered Phalaenopsis can lead to rot of the plant's roots. The price of a strain of Phalaenopsis starts at ten dollars, but can vary depending on the region and species. The plant should not get too wet or too dry, but should always have optimal humidity. Be sure to keep an eye on the plant and if you notice that the leaves have become soft, cut all the flowers and stems at the base.