Kingidium

Kingidium: variety description and characteristics

Orchid Kingidium: photo

Kingidium (Kingidium) - epiphytic plant, representative of the Orchid family. Its homeland is the tropical forests of southeast Asia.

The Kingidium Orchid is a rather miniature plant: it barely reaches 20 cm in height. There are various types of this orchid - both without leaves and with dark green foliage. In such varieties, as a rule, on each pseudobulb, from 3 to 6 leaves, having the shape of a lancet, develop. Peduncles in Kingidium are usually branched - straight or drooping. On their tops, medium-sized white or cream-colored flowers bloom successively from bottom to top, there are specimens of a greenish tint, flowers with a pink-lilac core are often found. Each of the peduncles can form about 15 flowers. The frequency and duration of the flowering of Kingidium depends on the conditions of detention. With proper care, this tropical orchid can bloom several times throughout the year.

Kingidium: growing and care

Orchid Kingidium: photo

Compliance with certain care recommendations will allow you to achieve prolonged and even repeated flowering of Kingidium during the annual cycle.

• Air temperature

Like many tropical plants, Kingidium is used to daily fluctuations in air temperature. Therefore, optimal conditions for growing it indoors can be achieved by providing nighttime drops in the thermometer. It is good if in the daytime the plant will spend at a temperature of 21 to 25 degrees, and at night - at 16-18 degrees of heat. In the summer, this goal can be achieved by taking the pot with Kingidium to the open balcony at night.

• Lighting mode

A resident of tropical forests, Kingidium does not tolerate direct sunlight in the daytime, which can cause burns on the leaf plates. The place for its placement should be well lit, but diffused light is preferable. In autumn and winter, you cannot do without sources of additional lighting - otherwise, the Kingidium orchid will not receive the amount of light it needs.

• Requirements for the composition of the soil

For growing leafless varieties of the Kingidium orchid, special blocks are suitable. This method will allow the plant's root system to receive full sunlight.

For other types of Kingidium, you will need a soil substrate that you can prepare yourself. It should include sphagnum moss, bark and coconut fibers, as well as wood-based coal and sand. A prerequisite for growing kingidium is good soil drainage.

• Fertilization

Fertilizers are required for Kingidium orchids only during the growing season and in a highly diluted form. It is recommended to combine top dressing with watering of the orchid: for every three watering procedures, there is one dressing. An excessive concentration of fertilizer can cause a burn of the Kingidium root system, therefore, the nutrient mixture should be diluted quite strongly - no more than half of the dose recommended in the instructions.

• Air humidification
  

Orchid Kingidium: photo

Since the natural growing environment of Kingidium is characterized by high air humidity (from 50 to 60%), it is desirable that the room air is also highly humidified. Raising the humidity level is quite simple - just place the orchid pot on a tray filled with wet pebbles.A layer of moist moss around the plant container will also make the environment more suitable for growing a tropical flower. However, the best solution is to use a room humidifier. You can also use spraying with well-settled water at room temperature, but certain rules should be followed. So, it is better to carry out this procedure in the early morning. In its course, it is not recommended to moisturize flowers and buds.

A high level of air humidity requires regular ventilation of the room. It should be remembered that Kingidium does not tolerate drafts well.

• Watering mode

Kingidium does not require frequent and abundant watering. During the growing season, the orchid should be watered sparingly, and with the arrival of autumn, the frequency of watering and the amount of water used should be further reduced.

• Transplant recommendations

The best time to transplant the Kingidium orchid is spring. During this procedure, it is imperative to update the drainage layer at the bottom of the tank. For growing Kingidium, clay pots are most suitable - their walls to a certain extent allow air and water to pass through.

• Breeding methods of Kingidium

Reproduction of Kingidium involves the separation of adult and healthy bushes into separate bushes.

Common diseases and dangerous pests

Orchid Kingidium: photo

All diseases that threaten Kingidium are the result of improper care of this tropical orchid. So, if you do not follow the watering regime and allow stagnation of moisture in the soil and its waterlogging, the root system of the plant will most likely begin to rot. In this case, you should immediately reduce the frequency of watering. It is important that the soil has time to dry out in between.

Dry indoor air during the heating season causes dryness of the foliage and flowers of the Kingidium. It is important to maintain the level of air humidity necessary for the normal life of the plant.

As for harmful insects, the main enemy of the Kingidium orchid is the mealybug, which can be dealt with with insecticide preparations.