Communist Party

Comparettia: description and characteristics of the orchid

Orchid Comparettia: photo

Comparettia (Comparettia) is an epiphytic plant belonging to the Orchid family. In nature, there are about 14 species of commune, the main region of their growth is the mountainous regions of South America.

Comparettia is ideal for home cultivation in hanging baskets and pots - its stems are capable of drooping beautifully to the ground under the weight of flowers. The average height of the peduncle is about half a meter. The leaves have a leathery, glossy lanceolate surface and grow up to 15 cm long. During the flowering period, several pseudobulbs are formed on the peduncles, often curved in the form of a picturesque arch. On them from the bottom up, bright and fragrant flowers are revealed in turn - from 6 to 20 pieces on each. The diameter of the flowers is 4 cm, and the color range is impressive: there are specimens of white, yellow, red, orange, pink, lilac. Quite often, the surface of the petals is covered with tiny specks.

Comparettia: orchid care

Orchid Comparettia: photo

Proper care of Comparettia guarantees the appearance of spectacular flowers. The flowering period can occur during the summer or winter months, depending on the conditions in which the plant is kept.

Air temperature

Comparettia feels good at a constant air temperature of about 20 degrees. Daily fluctuations in thermometer readings have a beneficial effect on her condition: a temperature drop of up to 14-15 degrees is permissible.

Lighting mode

Like many southern orchids, Comparettia loves sunlight, but does not tolerate direct sunlight during the day. The best solution would be to create a little shade, although this orchid will feel good in partial shade. Diffuse or reflected sunlight is preferred for the Communist Party.

Soil composition

The soil for growing the Communist Party should be loose and nutritious, as well as well-drained. You can make it yourself by mixing chopped pine bark with fibrous parts of fern and sphagnum. The addition of perlite will help drain the potting mix.

Top dressing

During the growing season, Comparettia needs fertilization. Every 14 days, you should feed it with a liquid complex fertilizer, diluting it to half the concentration. When the plant is dormant, top dressing should be applied no more than 1 time per month.

Air humidification

Comparettia, like other orchids, loves humid air - in the wild, they are accustomed to humidity levels of about 80%. To bring the room conditions as close as possible to natural conditions, the pot with the plant can be placed on a tray filled with damp pebbles, and you can also regularly use a humidifier. Spraying is undesirable, however, if there is no other way to increase the humidity of the environment, you should do it carefully. During the procedure, it is important not to allow the flower petals and buds to get wet. For spraying, well-settled water at room temperature is suitable. In this case, it is important to protect the orchid from the effects of a draft.

How to water the Communist Party

In spring and summer, watering should be quite frequent and abundant - the soil in a container with a compartment should always be moist. However, moisture stagnation in the soil should be avoided - the water accumulated in the sump should be poured out. With the arrival of autumn, the frequency of watering should be reduced. As in the case of spraying, settled water at room temperature is used for irrigation.

Transplant rules

The transplant should be carried out in the spring, if it becomes necessary to replace the soil in the pot with a fresh one. This must be done very carefully, trying not to destroy the clod of earth around the roots of the Communist Party.

Comparettia: reproduction of orchids

Orchid Comparettia: photo

The most effective way of reproduction of the Comparettia orchid is the separation of fresh pseudobulbs carried out in the spring.

Disease and pest control

Orchid Comparettia: photo

The main problem in the cultivation of the Communist Party is rotting of the root system associated with stagnation of moisture in the soil. You can get rid of it by draining the earth in a pot with Comparettia.

Of the pests, the main danger for the orchid of the Communist Party is spider mites and thrips, which can be eliminated with the help of insecticides.