Phalaenopsis Orchid Care Guide
Orchids are some of the most beautiful blooms in the world. Long lasting and a symbol of eternal love these exotic plants have been a favorite for generations and it is easy to see why. Orchid plants with their sometimes delicate look and feel can be intimidating to the novice plant keeper but I am going to give you a few simply tricks to keep those exotic beauties happy and healthy in your home or office.
For this article I am going to be covering how to properly care for the Phalaenopsis Orchid also known as the Moth Orchid. It is important to understand where these beautiful plants come from to understand how to care for them in your home. Moth Orchids are a part of the wider orchid family known as Arboreal Orchids (which means they grow on the sides of trees as opposed to in the ground) They come from the hot and humid rainforests of the world, growing directly on the sides of trees catching subtle rays of the sun and collecting humidity and rainwater as it trickles past them through their air roots. The roots of a Phalaenopsis both anchor them to the trees and breath in air for the plant. These plants flower throughout the year on an annual cycle.
Substrate For Your Orchid
Your Moth Orchid should be planted in spagnum moss or special orchid bark, a blend of 1 part spagnum and 5 parts orchid bark tends to work best and allow the plant to dry out between watering. These substrates allow those air roots to breath and hold and lock in humidity for the plant. It’s important to note that unlike soil these substrates do not provide any nutrients to the plant and fertilization is important for your orchid plants health, we will cover this below.
Selecting The Perfect Spot For Your Orchid
Moth Orchids do not get a lot of sun deep in the rainforest but they will appreciate a window that receives a few hours of morning sun in your home or office, don’t put them too close to a drafty window that gets too cold. Select a spot away from any heat or air conditioning vent as these rob the air of humidity which is what the orchid thrives on.
Watering Your Orchid Plant
We water our Moth Orchids every 10 days but for your home or office it is best to check your plant and find out the perfect schedule for watering. To tell when it is time to water check the top layer of the substrate with your finger, don’t let the substrate get too dry between waterings, if the spagnum moss is hard to poke through with your finger it is too dry.
To find out how to properly water your orchid first check the container for drainage holes. If the container drains out the bottom we would take that plant to a sink and water it thoroughly, making sure to get all of the spagnum moss or orchid bark thoroughly wet. Allow the plant to sit in your sink until it has drained fully before returning it to its spot. To water a Moth Orchid without a drainage hole we measure out 6ounces of water and pour it evenly across the plant, getting as much of the substrate soaked as possible. Let the plant sit for 10 minutes and then gently pour out the excess water. Make sure to never let water sit in the bottom of your orchid plant, Moth Orchid roots are air roots that should never sit in water. The Moth Orchid breathes from its roots and this is the fastest way to kill an arboreal orchid plant.
Fertilizing Your Moth Orchid
Once you have kept your orchid for months and its last blooms have begun to fade and drop off it is time to begin fertilizing. We recommend using a dissolvable orchid specific fertilizer and following the watering instructions on the specific product. Do not over fertilize as orchids are very sensitive to this and it can cause more harm than good. Fertilizing should be done for the remainder of the year until the orchid begins to flower again.
Orchids At Long Stems
We carry an array of Moth Orchids as well as Cymbidium Orchids, Vanda Orchids, Lady Slipper Orchids, Pansy Face Orchids, and other seasonal favorites. Check out our orchid collection here to find out whats blooming at Long Stems. I hope this article gave you a little insight into orchid care.
