Limiting Factors of the Butterfly Orchid

Light

• Sunlight is a crucial factor in the growth of orchids. Although butterfly orchids are damaged by direct sunlight, exposure to indirect sunlight throughout the day is beneficial for the production of blossoms. Direct sunlight scalds the leaves of the orchid and prevents it from putting out flowers, limiting the overall growth of the orchid during its active growing season. Keep butterfly orchids out of direct sunlight to keep them healthy and producing blossoms each year.

Water Needs

• Butterfly orchids require regular watering if they are to produce blooms. Dehydration stops the orchid from producing blooms and makes the butterfly orchid plant more susceptible to pest and disease problems. Water the butterfly orchid regularly, but avoid oversaturating the roots of the plant, as excess moisture suffocates the roots and kills the orchid. Do not allow the soil around a butterfly orchid to dry out, as this causes dehydration over a very short stretch of time.

Fertilizer

• Fertilizer is essential for the healthy production of blooms on a butterfly orchid. Without monthly applications of orchid fertilizer according to the needs of the plant and the directions on the package, the number of blooms produced will be lessened and the overall growth of the phalaenopsis orchid will be stunted and weak. Apply fertilizer to the soil around the base of the orchid to keep the plant healthy and growing throughout its active season.

Pruning

• Phalaenopsis orchids have the potential to produce two sets of blooms in a growing season, as long as the orchid is pruned at the right time. After the orchid drops its first set of blossoms, prune the stem back to a point just above a flower node. This allows the orchid to put out blossoms a second time during the growing season. Failing to prune before the stem turns brown prevents the orchid from reblooming, however, and sends the orchid into a dormant state.