Have you ever come across the Lan Mokara flower? The first time I heard its name, I was in awe of its elegance and grandeur. The Mokara orchids are equally as impressive as their name, adding a stunning beauty that illuminates any space. Once you lay eyes on these orchids, their radiant beauty will be etched in your memory forever <3.
The stunning allure of Mokara orchids
Identification and range of Mokara orchids
Mokara orchids are a result of crossbreeding three different types of orchids: Arachnis, Ascoentrum, and Vanda. These magnificent flowers were created through human intervention in Singapore and have since been cultivated and propagated throughout various tropical regions in Asia. They can be found most commonly in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand, the Philippines, and Hawaii.
The mokara orchid is a highly sought-after plant due to its unique features. Unlike other orchids, the mokara has no pseudobulbs and is notably larger in size. These orchids can grow up to 1m tall, with some lines reaching up to 2m in height. The trunk of the plant is strong and glossy, providing ample support for its many leaves and flowers. Speaking of which, the mokara orchid produces an abundance of vibrant, colorful flowers that can vary in size and pattern depending on the specific line. One distinguishing feature of this orchid is its roots, which not only grow underground but also sprout from the stem. With its robust build and striking appearance, it’s easy to see why the mokara orchid is a popular choice among growers.
Snapshots of towering mokara orchids
Undoubtedly, mokara ranks as one of the most varied orchids in terms of hue, ranging from pure white to shades of purple, pink, red, orange, yellow, blue, and more. The abundance of colors leads to the orchid’s uniqueness and distinctiveness. With proper maintenance, coupled with sufficient nourishment for the plant, mokara orchids can bloom throughout the year.
Growing mokara orchids is a beautiful way to brighten up any space with the stunning colors of the Lan mokara. This large tree is perfect for planting in hallways, gardens, and even hotel or restaurant lobbies. It also makes for a meaningful gift for loved ones, especially during important occasions like opening ceremonies to wish them success and prosperity.
The Rum flower, also known as the Water Lily, has a luxurious and unique beauty. Meanwhile, the Lipstick flower, with its lucky red hue, is easy to propagate. When it comes to propagating mokara orchids, cuttings are the recommended method. For seedlings, choose mother mokara orchids that are at least 1-2 years old, more than 1m tall, sturdy, green, pest and disease-free, and with strong roots. Cuttings should be at least 25-50cm long and have 1-4 layers of roots. Before cutting, fertilizers with high phosphorus and potassium content should be applied for a month to stimulate rooting and plant strength.
After cutting, the seedlings should be placed in a cool area and treated with high nitrogen fertilizers like NPK 30-10-10 combined with rooting stimulants like Rootlet, Vitamin B1, Terra-sorb-4, Atonik, or Bimix Super Root spray. Soaking cuttings in root stimulator for 8-12 hours is also an option. It’s important to spray the whole mother plant with root stimulant to help the cut site heal quickly and produce new roots. Check out this video for more information on how to cut seed cuttings for cuttings.
After approximately 3-4 weeks, the mother plant of mokara orchids will bud again. It takes around 3-6 months for the buds to develop and be ready for cutting and propagating. Some people believe cutting the cuttings for propagation can damage the growth of seedlings. However, if you leave the buds on the mother plant for too long, it can weaken the plant and result in incorrect flowers. Therefore, it’s best to propagate them normally when the buds are qualified.
If you want your mokara orchids to grow well, investing in the right growing medium is crucial. These orchids can be grown in a mixture of potting soil, charcoal, rice husk ash, and bean pods. Alternatively, you can graft them onto logs. As mokara orchids are tall, potting them is more optimal.
To start potting, choose a pot that fits the size of the tree or a large pot so that it has enough space to grow. Then, layer charcoal on the bottom of the pot. Mix the soil with rice husk ash and pour it over the charcoal before planting the tree. Fix the tree in place and spread peanut shells on top (if unavailable, any other suitable material can be used).
If you need further guidance on how to grow mokara orchids in pots, you can watch instructional videos available online.
To prevent fungal diseases in trees, it is advisable to choose perennial wood that has been dried. Suitable options include milkweed, longan, mango, or driftwood for grafting orchids onto a wooden stump. To secure the orchid onto the substrate, you need to prepare coir and use steel to fix it tightly to ensure stability. Coir helps keep the tree moist and promotes better adhesion between the plant and substrate. After fixing, the plant should be hung in a cool place and regularly watered to aid growth.
When taking care of mokara orchids, certain factors need to be considered. Mokara orchids can grow in different temperatures, but thrive best in warm temperatures with full light. Although they can tolerate the sun, if the temperature is too hot, it is advisable to provide shade. Also, clean water with pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.5 should be used to irrigate the orchids twice a day in the morning and evening, with fertilizer periodically added for proper nutrition. Additionally, it is crucial to manage pests and diseases, especially black leaf spot caused by fungus Guignardia, which can be treated with Ferbam or Mancozeb and prevented by periodic fungicide spray.
For those interested in stimulating mokara orchids to bloom on New Year’s Eve, a reference video is available.
