Care After a Phalaenopsis Orchid Blooms

Post-Bloom Phalaenopsis Care

• Phalaenopsis orchids should not be pruned immediately after they drop their blossoms, as another set of blossoms grows on the same stem with the right care. Check the plant for any signs of infection or pest problems, including spots or yellowing on the leaves, holes in the leaves or discoloration of the stem. Premature blossom drop can also be an indicator of a problem, in which case pesticides or fungicides are necessary for treating the plant.

Encouraging New Blooms in Phalaenopsis Orchids

• New blooms will grow on the same stem that has recently dropped its blooms, although it is advisable to only force re-blooming once each growing season before allowing the phalaenopsis to go into a temporary slow-growth phase. After the blossoms have dropped, trim the stem back to a spot just beneath a previous flower node. From this location, a new set of flowers will emerge after the first bloom. After this point, the moth orchid will enter a period of inactivity.

Trimming Moth Orchids

• Trimming the moth orchid after its second bloom period is important, and timing is even more important. Wait until the stem has become completely brown and dried before trimming it back, as the roots of the moth orchid will pull nutrients from the stem as it dries out, allowing the roots to remain healthy throughout the period of inactivity the orchid enters. Leave an inch or so of the stem above the soil for the return growth in the following season.

Dormant Orchid Storage

• Although the phalaenopsis orchid will not enter a true dormant stage, it will cease growing and producing blossoms for several months out of the year. Keep the moth orchid planter in an area where it will receive indirect sunlight and continue to add a small amount of fertilizer to the planter once a month, or according to the directions on the fertilizer. Water the moth orchid weekly to keep the soil from drying out, which damages the roots of the orchid.