The Moth Orchid

Geographic Environment

• dew

Light and Temperature

• Moth orchids suffer if placed in a south-facing window. The moth orchid grows well in windows with northern or eastern exposures. If plants' containers are outdoors during the summer, give it shade protecting it from direct sun. Any temperature in the home is fine for the orchid, but the key to encouraging flowering is keeping the temperatures below 80 degree for three to four weeks before spring. Placing the plant in front of a cool window where temperatures are about 60 to 68 degrees helps.

Pruning

• The flowers live for about one month. When a flower dies, leave the flower stalk in place for a couple of weeks. Then cut the stalk where the stalk is brown and green. Make the cut 1/2 inch above where the green and brown meet. This encourages branching so the plant has more flowers.

Water and Fertilizer

• Water the plant when the medium is slightly dry. Do not keep the medium wet, or the moth orchid suffers root rot. Feed the orchid 1/4 tsp. of fertilizer dissolved in 1 gallon of water every time you water the plant during the growing season. Feed the plant every third or fourth watering during the winter using 1/4 tsp. water-soluble fertilizer to 1 gallon of water.