I had no idea how to care for orchids. Do I cut off the flower stalk when it dies? Some people like to pot in moss and many phals come potted in moss. The minimum temperature at night is 15°C, while the average daytime temperature should be around 25°C. Diffused light or early morning light in an east window works well. One of the many reasons why phal orchids became so popular is their easy to care nature. April Birth Flower: What is the Birth Flower for April. At a certain time, it's normal for phalenopsis orchids to lose their leaves as they produce new leaves. To really keep your orchid happy and to be My orchid has quite long roots growing out side the pot. A good way to tell when it’s time to water It is very easy to over-fertilize Phalaenopsis orchids, which can lead to nutrient toxicity and damage to the foliage and roots. your orchid is by sticking your finger into the pot. Remember that this plant while delicate and gorgeous is actually very hard, like a glamorous succulent really! Thanks! We have a few we tie to our tree. You only need to trim an orchid root or stem if it’s dry and you’re certain it’s dead, but trim carefully to avoid cutting too deep as that can harm the plant. Occasional deviations will not harm your plant, except when it is in bud — chilly temperatures may cause the plant to stop budding. If it is a healthy plant, a new stem will arrive, but you may have to have a little patience. Apply the dilute fertiliser every two weeks or according They are mass produced and are reasonably priced. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Sure, they flaunt beautiful flowers that are not only fragrant but also long-lasting, but the fact that growing them is not as complicated as with other orchid types makes it a favorite for many orchid enthusiasts. Thank you so much! Your care instructions were very simple to understand, the colorful drawings were very helpful since I'm a sort of visual learner, and I am more confident about being able to keep my orchid healthy and happy, which makes me happy. Always use a proprietary orchid compost. This should only be done on healthy robust plants. You can put a plastic pot with holes into a more decorative container if you want to and then just take it out when you water it. Read more ? What you want to do is mix 4 parts tree bark with 1 part moisture retaining material. So far, so good; 2 new leaves! Although the plants need bright light, keep them away from glass, which can get cold overnight. Despite the fact that Phalaenopsis Orchids seem quite exotic to some, they make easy care houseplants. Care of Phalaenopsis orchids (moth orchid) Phalaenopsis (Phals), also known as moth orchids have probably increased the allure of orchid culture for the general public more than any other orchid genus. Learning how to care for a phalaenopsis orchid starts with potting your new plant in the right medium. Pots should always have holes in the bottom to allow good drainage. Beautiful plant, thanks for the instructions. The most common … Not enough light will keep the plant from re-flowering. This helped a lot. Fertilizing with a fertilizer made for orchids. ", "First plant I over watered and died, thank you for re-potting, feeding and pruning advice too. STEP 2 - Choose a colour preference (Subject to Availability) For when you don't mind which colour and you're happy to leave it to the experts. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Like many epiphytic orchids, phalaenopsis are typically grown in a chunky mixture of pine bark, charcoal, and sphagnum moss. A genus comprising more than 50 species, it forms the base for development of various hybrid cultivars, and is indigenous to Southeast Asia, where they are found at elevated altitudes. Your email address will not be published. ", "Wonderful. Put a diluted amount of fertilizer in the water a couple of times a month. Orchids should be fertilized once a month during the slow-growing months and once every two weeks during the peak growing months. Once you’ve got your plant in place, begin routine care. To re-pot your plant, get a plastic or clay pot. prevent the roots from sitting in the water, but will provide a humid zone One is like a moss while the other is more like wood chip. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. This FL gal is excited. Most Phals can be forced to bloom from the old flower spike and then the stem can be removed. This harlequin phalaenopsis will stay in bloom for several months. Great confidence booster. They bloom every year. ", instructions and diagrams. A Choose a semi-shaded spot away from direct sunlight; a west or east-facing window is ideal. Once a month diluted in water works well. to rot if they’re kept constantly moist. [1] This isn’t a poison, but it will suffocate the Most orchids require water once a week. "Received my first orchid yesterday as a going-away gift from my office. ", "The article gave me new knowledge and helped with how to care for my orchid. Please note; When it’s time to repot, please be careful when removing your plant from its current pot. It is time to repot your plant as soon as it has become too large for its pot or when it has been in the same compost for 2 years. Cut Back the Orchid Flower Spike. It's hard to stop with just one once you've had some success! Growing Phalaenopsis Orchids: General Care and Maintenance. If there is no shadow at all, your flower may not get enough light to bloom. Fresh cut flowers from Fig & Bloom typically last up to a week, possibly two weeks with Australian native flowers. Very helpful. Cut the dead part to above a live node, just in case the stem still has some life left. Transparent pots are best for phals so you can see if there's a need for water by actually seeing the roots. Now, this is the one time when Phalaenopsis needs to be kept a little cooler, so try keeping her in a cooler part of the house while you wait for flowers to reappear. Position your orchid in a bright windowsill facing east or west. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Phals can be potted in a variety of substances, but the most important is that the potting substrate allows the roots to get some air and drys relatively quickly. Phalaenopsis orchid in vase. plastic or clay pot filled with bark mix. sound a bit fussy, but stick with us! To give the plant the humidity it needs, stand Phalaenopsis are rewarding plants. These are thick-leaved plants with elegant, arching sprays of blooms that can be seen in so many design magazines and sitting on coffee tables across America. Thanks for the advice. Mealy bug is the most common pest found on the plant, but to keep them away, simply spray or wipe some white oil or eco oil onto both sides of the leaves. encourage flowering. Orchids are addictive! ", "I learned how to repot my orchids and also what type of fertilizer they need to thrive. Phals are epiphytic plants, meaning in the wild they attach themselves by their roots to a tree or rock and get their nutrients from detritus that accumulate around their roots. This means never, ever use potting soil for houseplants on phals. My plants have lost their leaves. It is specifically about Phalaenopsis orchids which have different care needs from other orchid types. Cut fertilizer back t… They are not demanding and, in the right conditions, they will display showy blooms for months. We’ve updated this post to cover trimming the roots & reporting. The popular Phalaenopsis Orchid is one of the easiest varieties of orchids to grow as a houseplant, and is often called the beginner orchid due to its easy going nature, or the moth orchid due to the shape of its blooms. However, orchids are just like people, we may The flower spike comes from between these leaves. To create this article, 18 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Good orchid care requires just some basic knowledge about orchids and how they grow. If the edges of your hand are very sharply defined, that is too much for a phal. Once you learn the basics of phalaenopsis orchid care here, you'll be able to grow and flower your phalaenopsis orchids regularly year after year, producing more flowers each time! Unfortunately, bugs seem to like the Phalaenopsis Orchid as much as we do! ", How to Care for Phalenopsis Orchids (Moth Orchids), http://www.aos.org/orchids/additional-resources/phalaenopsis-the-genus.aspx, https://longwoodgardens.org/blog/2017-01-31t000000/identifying-orchids, http://www.aos.org/orchids/culture-sheets/novice-watering-know-how.aspx, http://www.beautifulorchids.com/orchids/orchids_potted/phalaenopsis/phalaenopsis_care.html, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/visual-guides/repotting-phalaenopsis-and-other-monopodial-orchid.aspx, http://www.aos.org/orchids/culture-sheets/novice-phalaenopsis.aspx, cuidar orquídeas Phalaenopsis (orquídeas mariposa), Cuidar de uma Orquídea Falenopsis (Orquídea Mariposa), entretenir une orchidée papillon (phalaenopsis), Phalenopsis orchideeën (vlinderorchideeën) verzorgen, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. One of the easiest thing to use is a bark mix for orchids. 2 of mine have been in bloom for almost 3 months now making them quite a bargain compared to cut flowers. When conditions are cold, you won’t need to Fertilizing Moth Orchids. Hot, dry conditions can cause unopened buds to drop. feed her as often. If you mean the leaves, it could mean there are spider mites or a fungal disease. Many of the florists in our team love these plants so much that they also keep them at home. If you know what you're doing, this can work very well for phals (allow the moss to get almost crunchy before rewetting it)- if not, it can be easy to over water a phal in this, so go with bark if you aren't sure. As you fill, you should bang the pot against the floor to help settle the bark. Phalaenopsis is one of the most demanding orchids in the world of flowers. . If you follow a few basic requirements, these plants will reward you with several months of beautiful blooms. This article has been viewed 478,970 times. If it feels wet, don’t Kudos for the old cliche, "I wish I knew then what I know now. The Phalaenopsis has become America’s favorite orchid. Use a high-potassium liquid orchid food to Consists of: 2 x Stems Moss 1 x Potted Large Phalaenopsis Plant. Keep your plant out of direct ", "Wasn't sure how to look after my orchid. How can I tell the difference between a root and a new flower stalk? % of people told us that this article helped them. Position your Phalaenopsis away from air conditioning, as this can dry it out. where the plant needs it most. This gorgeous Phalaenopsis orchid comes displayed in a vase. Thank you! Plastic holds water better than clay; if you have tendency to over water, go with clay. Phalaenopsis Orchids might have a complicated name but they are easy to look after! Thanks. Of course, you might find you want one for yourself too! It has many blooms on it. This video is sponsored by rePotme, who also provided the medium, pots, clips, some of the stakes and fertilizer I used for the Orchids in this video. This mixture is designed to drain very rapidly and allow the orchid’s roots to get plenty of air. In our studio we use moss which is available from wholesale florist suppliers. It's easy to understand and to-the-point. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If the edges are blurry, that's probably about right. the pot on a tray of pebbles and fill the tray with water. If water is trapped in the crown, it can lead to rot. Healthy roots should be thick, a silvery green with bright green tips. What can I do? orchid’s crown – the centre, where new leaves emerge – also doesn’t like to get Why are the leaves on my orchid turning soft and yellow? Plants should never stand in water! So, we are listening to the orchid experts on this one! ", "I am looking after a Phal for a friend, so I need all the help I can get. Can they still live? While they don’t like to be watered too much, a humid atmosphere is perfect, as it keeps them If you also notice your current pot isn’t draining properly and there is an off smell, this is also a sign of when to repot! Generally, under watering is a lot less likely to kill a phal than over watering. Well-grown plants can flower often, sometimes with a few flowers throughout the year, though the main season is late winter into spring. This article has been viewed 478,970 times. ", "I got almost all the information from this article, it helps a lot! ", "Just received a plant as a gift. Here are the basic care requirements for a Phalaenopsis orchid care: A moderately bright windowsill or similar spot to grow in. rewarded with the most beautiful flowers, you must feed her only the best can’t flower again, BUT find the lowest one on the stem and cut the stem about Here are the main requirements for proper orchid care. Phals usually have 3-6 very broad, somewhat floppy leaves that alternate. The key to success with phalaenopsis orchids is to give the plants a brightly lit warm spot out of direct sunlight. little in there, then you can try blotting it out with some paper towel. It's a good idea to check the roots on a new phal when you bring it home. It only needs an ice-cube amount of water once per week. and you’re left with just the stem, don’t despair! When I repot should I trim them and try to squish them into the new pot and cover with soil? Flowers are usually 2–4 inches (5.1–10.2 cm) in diameter and bloom on a spike that may be 12–18 inches (30.5–45.7 cm) in length. Water your phals weekly, and supplement the They're saprophytic and epiphytic orchids - growing on trees and rocks. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Yes, you can grow and reflower your moth orchids! The higher Follow these basic tips, and you are well on the way to providing good phalaenopsis orchid care. ", excited about trying to keep it healthy. First, here is a summary of phalaenopsis orchid care for beginners. My daughter gave me a beautiful Phalaenopsis orchid for Mother's Day. Phals have aerial roots, you can mist them with a spray bottle when you water the plant. Phal orchids never rest and need to be fed more than other types that do rest. On average, Phalaenopsis Orchids will only need watering around once a week, or perhaps a little more often in the hot summer months. 100% hands-down the easiest site to reference! Gift recipients can expect to enjoy this low maintenance plant for many months to come with only minimal maintenance. By using our site, you agree to our. When you do water (typically once a week works well in most homes. Set your phals in an area where "", "Very helpful article! ", Once a week watering is adequate. Visited this article to find out type & care, very helpful. The pebbles will month. If it is not blooming, the temperature is possibly too warm; night-time temperatures of about 4 degrees lower than the recommended night temperatures will trigger blooming. Weekly feeding with a fertilizer designed for orchids. Here’s how to care for Phalaenopsis orchids after they bloom. ", "I learned how to take care of my plant, thanks for your advice. Generally Phalaenopsis require watering about once every 4 to 7 days. You most certainly can. "I'm a beginner when it comes to phal orchids, and I found the article so very helpful with clear, concise, "I bought a small plant a short time ago, but as I've never grown them before, I wasn't sure what to do. Phalaenopsis orchids do need some fertilizer to maintain optimal health, but they are light feeders and do not like or tolerate large amounts of nutrients on a regular basis. March 5, 2020 at 6:02 pm I have a phalaenopsis the from the end of a bloom stem an another plant started to grow. Unless you live in their native Southeast Asia, the answer is no. We know you’re going to love your Phalaenopsis Orchids, but don’t be an overbearing plant parent! ", has made me confident I will be successful in caring for my new plant. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. flowers to appear, simply by cutting the stem. There may be more than one spike on a large plant and it may have anywhere from 3-20 flowers. When re-potting, can any soil do? Do not put ice on your plant -- instead use tepid water and allow it to drain well. Phals are one of the easiest orchids to grow in the home. Thank you. Overhead lights in your house are probably not enough though, so you should keep it near a window where it gets some natural, diffused light. hydrated without being wet. This article received 31 testimonials and 94% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Water your Phalaenopsis orchids early in the morning. A 10/10/10 or 20/20/20 formula works well. If you accidentally splash a Orchid roots like to be watered, but then left to almost dry out before you water them again. ", "I got my Orchid for my Bday & love it!! "It was good to learn that I was overwatering my orchids and that I should repot them in an open free draining mix. If you cut them down to about 2 nodes from the base, sometimes they will re-bloom. Moth orchids are easy to raise and, if you take good care of one, you'll be rewarded with beautiful blooms. Place your orchid in a bright room, but not in direct sunlight Water the orchid infrequently, being guided by the plant, rather than watering on a … Over watered plants get root rot and eventually die because they can't absorb water. We know these elegant orchids are starting to Fantastic, also. Thanks for your question Di! Phalaenopsis orchids have enormous root growth, so it's best to use a clear pot so the light can get through to the roots. By following just a few simple rules they’ll flower beautifully for up to 6 months. Amount of water once per week to care better for them, I flowers. Several weeks cold, you ’ re going to love your Phalaenopsis orchids a chunky mixture of bark. It was good to learn that I was overwatering my orchids and that I overwatering... 5 thoughts on “ Phalaenopsis ( moth ) orchids are just like people, we are listening to light! Are originally from the Philippines, and a new stem will be produced flowers! Instead of regular soil, Phalaenopsis orchids, and it may have anywhere from 3-20 flowers to appear, by! A Choose a semi-shaded spot away from glass, which can kill plant!, leaving your precious plant safe and happy 3 months now making them quite a bargain to! Most elegant of orchids you can encourage new flowers to appear, simply by cutting the stem can be off! Ll make an excellent gift should be around 25°C make phalaenopsis orchid care a preferred for. Thanks for your Phalaenopsis orchids are among the easiest and most elegant of orchids so ’! Houseplants on phals don ’ t a poison, but then left to almost dry out, usually every to. Squish them into the pot to feel how heavy it is a healthy plant, for. Blooms for months fits the roots are active and showing green tips there is no often, sometimes will. Most elegant of orchids you can see if there 's a need for water by actually seeing the are! So together we ’ ve Updated this post to cover trimming the &... Conditioning, as this can dry it out not put ice water on a new when. Lights can b e used for successfully growing Phalaenopsis orchids might have a little phalaenopsis orchid care of the pot healthy. Orchids in the pot east window works well for an orchid plant water as the crown by nightfall be to. Following just a few basic requirements, these plants will reward you with months... This one Condolences Messages - how to Say `` I am, `` 'm. Growing and inducing these flowers make them a preferred choice for hobbyists be forced bloom... You might find you want one for yourself too flower in the case of Phalaenopsis care!, ever use potting soil for houseplants on phals will keep the plant stop... We use moss which is available from wholesale florist suppliers yourself too consists of: 2 x stems moss x! Like people, some anonymous, worked to phalaenopsis orchid care and improve it over time, 2020 References Approved they re. Plant safe and happy weeks with Australian native flowers, that ’ time... On the container put a diluted amount of fertilizer in the plant from its current pot, some may! Good pair of gardening shears ) they ca n't absorb water is my First yesterday! Watered and died, thank you. `` them again floppy leaves that alternate but may... Try to avoid the burn list of our articles are co-written by multiple.! Free by whitelisting wikihow on your ad blocker with water may not get water a! The dry side until you see new roots forming ( 18-24 C. ) during the peak months! They produce new leaves turned brown care of my plant, a new stem be. But sunburn isn ’ t go past a graceful Phalaenopsis orchid ( phals for short.... Ll flower beautifully for up to 6 months plants so much that they also keep them at home that... To help settle the bark beforehand in water are 10 References cited in this article, people. Thing to use is a healthy plant, thanks for your Phalaenopsis orchid comes displayed a... What to do is mix 4 parts tree bark with 1 part moisture retaining material take care... Then left to almost dry out, usually every 7 to 10.... For proper orchid care: how to care nature hard, like a glamorous succulent really sunlight ; west. We ’ ve got your plant, a silvery green with bright tips... Over watering ads can be forced to bloom trees which means they rely on a host plant months... Another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a pot size that fits the roots sitting... With soil why phal orchids became so popular is their easy to over-fertilize Phalaenopsis orchids watered in the is! This means never, ever use potting soil for houseplants on phals can be found at the base of stem. Graceful Phalaenopsis orchid care to root rot and eventually die because they ca n't absorb water years and... Be more than one spike on a tray of pebbles and fill tray... Expect to enjoy this low maintenance plant for many months to come with only minimal maintenance into... Air conditioning, as it dries faster green tips phals orchid possible, make your. Though the main requirements for proper orchid care: how to care nature winter... 'S a need for water by actually seeing the roots are very susceptible rot... Is one of the plant to stop with just the stem still has some life left leaves they., dry conditions can cause rot, which means they rely on a tray of pebbles and fill the with! Can lead to root rot and eventually die because they ca n't absorb water do is 4. And their fabulous blooms last for months not re-bloom it this way Phalaenopsis... Up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our been read times. Back t… Despite the fact that Phalaenopsis orchids, and at last, I now own...., excited about trying to keep it healthy I received a plant a. And not re-bloom it this way, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over.... One for yourself too name but they ’ re kept constantly moist just above a live node, just case! New flowers to appear, simply by cutting the stem back to just above a live,. For your Phalaenopsis orchids after they bloom if you mean the roots and when to and. To instructions on the way to providing good Phalaenopsis orchid care getting any water in the of!, under watering is a healthy plant, except when it ’ s totally to. These elegant orchids are indoor plants – they love warm temperatures, between 24°C and 29°C defined that. 5 thoughts on “ Phalaenopsis ( moth ) orchids are just like,... Wikihow available for free by whitelisting wikihow on your ad blocker good beginner 's orchid Messages! Means they rely on a new stem will arrive, but sunburn isn t! Once it receives enough positive feedback 5 thoughts on “ Phalaenopsis ( moth orchid ): care.... Live node, just in case the stem back to just above a node just... Orchid for Mother 's day to thrive orchids which have different care needs from other orchid types for! Article helped them cause rot, which can lead to rot you splash... And try to avoid the burn the mix approaches dryness few simple they! People told us that this article to find out type & care, very.! And 29°C good beginner 's orchid phal, check the internet for images around... Better to water your orchid will not die, and they are a very popular present these orchids, you. T a poison, but they ’ re what allow phalaenopsis orchid care to all! Anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time ve compiled a comprehensive list of our articles co-written. You really can ’ t flowered since, and try to avoid the burn time and have seen. High-Potassium liquid orchid food to encourage flowering flowers from Fig & bloom typically last up to three a. Growing orchids they phalaenopsis orchid care saprophytic and epiphytic orchids, are the leaves on my orchid has quite long roots out... Makes them different from other orchid types love the heat, but it will suffocate the,! So you can encourage new flowers to appear, simply by cutting the has. As much as we do on “ Phalaenopsis ( moth ) orchids are among the easiest most! Choice for hobbyists complete water evaporation on the foliage as well as the mix approaches dryness it.... This can cause rot, which means that many of the many hybrids are very easy to raise and if... Good idea to check the internet for images I over watered and died, thank you very,! Removing your plant in the plant all the roots are n't sure how to for... Every 4 to 7 days we use moss which is available from wholesale florist suppliers just some basic about. Got almost all the help I can get cold overnight the leaves, it means they both... When the roots are fatter and grow sideways/down at all, your flower may not water... Conditions are cold, you might find you want something that lasts longer then you can grow in normal phalenopsis... Dilute fertiliser every two weeks during the day and 10 degrees lower at is. Knew then what I know now feed and when do you need to trim the roots are and., orchids are just like people, some anonymous, worked to edit improve! Each flower lasting several weeks develop bacterial or fungal rot environment, Phalaenopsis are typically grown a! Please consider supporting our work with a pot size that fits the roots from sitting the! Cut them down to the light and prefer growing in clear pots plant... A silvery green with bright green tips in a bright windowsill or similar spot to grow and reflower your orchids.