This is how orchids take their place in the glass - tips on planting correctly
It is mainly Vanda orchids that are grown in glass. Since there is no substrate here, position the aerial roots in the glass vase so that the leaves and flower stalk protrude beyond the edge of the vessel. Insufficient oxygen reaches the leaves inside the glass, so fungal infections have an easy time of it. You can also present orchids with substrate in the glass. How to do it:
- An appointment before or after the flowering period is perfect
- On the glass floor made of expanded clay (€ 17.50 on Amazon *) create a drainage at least 5 cm high
- Fill in a layer of orchid substrate (€ 7.98 at Amazon *)
- Dip the root ball in water for a few minutes so that the roots become flexible
- Pot the plant, shake off the old soil or rinse it off
- Cut off dead bulbs or aerial roots with a clean knife
also read
- Caring for orchids properly for a long flowering period - this is how it works
- Caring for orchids properly in winter - this is how it works
- Repotting an orchid in a glass - this is how it works
Place a phalaenopsis or similar species of orchid with spread roots on the substrate. By fixing the plant to the root neck with one hand, refill the remaining soil with the other hand. In the end, all aerial roots should be covered. The pieces of substrate distribute themselves if you push the glass lightly on the table top in between.
Moss unsuitable as a substrate
For the benefit of a sales-promoting look, orchids in the glass are sometimes simply placed on peat moss. It looks beautiful, but it brings the exotic diva down very quickly, because rot and disease are inevitable here. If you are presented with a Phalaenopsis in a glass vessel, please immediately pot the royal flower in correct orchid soil.
Pour orchids in the glass professionally - this is how it works
Since there is no bottom opening in the glass to drain water, the orchids in it are threatened by waterlogging. How to properly regulate the water balance:
- Dip a substrate-free orchid, such as Vanda, every 2-3 days
- To do this, take the plant out of the jar to soak the roots for 30 minutes with lime-free, lukewarm water
- Do not put it back in the glass until the water has drained off
To provide an orchid with substrate in the jar with moisture, pour the soft, room-warm water into the vessel. The plant heart must not be under water. After 10 minutes at the latest, pour the water out again. If there is still water left in the leaf axils, dab it off with an absorbent kitchen towel.
Orchids like spraying regularly
Regardless of whether you cultivate orchids in a glass, tied up on a branch or simply in a flower pot - a very delicate spray of warm, lime-free water is very welcome for exotic flower beauties. If possible, spray the aerial roots and leaves and leave the flowers unwetted.
Fertilize orchids in a balanced way - Pay attention to this in the glass
As long as your orchid is in the midst of the growth and flowering period, please enrich the irrigation and immersion water every 3 to 4 weeks with a special liquid fertilizer. Conventional flower fertilizer (€ 13.27 at Amazon *) contains too high a salt concentration and does more harm than good to tropical plants.
Stop the supply of nutrients during a dormant vegetation period. If it is a species of orchid that blooms tirelessly, please extend the fertilization intervals to 6 to 8 weeks in winter.
How to cut orchids correctly - timing matters
One aspect of the care program regularly puzzles the novices among orchid gardeners. We are talking about pruning, as is common practice for numerous indoor plants. In view of the unconventional habit of orchids, however, the correct handling of this cultivation measure is not obvious. This applies not least to plants in the glass. How to do it right:
- Never cut off green parts of the plant on an orchid in a glass
- Do not cut leaves, shoots, bulbs or aerial roots until they are completely dead
- Only work with a razor-sharp, disinfected tool
- Dust cuts with cinnamon, charcoal ash or rock flour
- Ideally, twist out a yellowed, drawn-in sheet and do not cut it
Orchids are pruned in this way for two reasons: Cut wounds on green, living parts of plants cause rot and disease. In addition, an orchid is deprived of the vital nutrient residues that it would like to relocate to its active roots and bulbs.
Tips
Gel balls are a good choice to showcase fully blossomed orchid panicles as cut flowers in a glass. The 2 cm small beads are available in many pretty colors. They are made of a material that stores water and gradually releases it to the flowers. Unpleasant smelling flower water is a thing of the past thanks to the gel balls.
