Phalaenopsis Flower Care

Light

• Phalaenopsis orchids are plants with low lighting requirements. Most Phalaenopsis will grow well in the average light provided by a window. In homes in the south where light can be intense, the orchids will grow best in the windowsill of an east-facing window. South- or west-facing windows are acceptable if they are shaded. In northern climates, a south-facing window with no shade will meet lighting requirements. Phalaenopsis will grow well beneath a heavy shade that filters sunlight in a greenhouse. In artificial lighting situations, phalaenopsis will grow well if placed 6 to 12 inches beneath a grow light with 2 to 4 bulbs and left there for up to 16 hours daily.

Water

• Watering the orchids is a critical step for their development. The plants should be watered completely, then allowed to become partially dry. Never allow the plants to become bone dry. During summer in a dry climate, the orchids may need water twice weekly. During winter in a northern climate, this may be as little as every 10 days. The plants also require high humidity, typically around 50 to 80 percent relative humidity. The plants do well in a steamy bathroom for this reason.

Temperature

• Orchids do well in the temperature ranges typically provided by a home. Indoor temperatures should be between 70 and 80 degrees during the day and above 60 degrees at night. Temperatures should not climb above 95 degrees. In order to force orchids to flower, the plants must be exposed to temperatures below 78 degrees for 3 to 5 weeks with good light. Wide fluctuation of temperatures can cause the buds to drop just before they open.

Fertilizer

• Fertilizer should be added to phalaenopsis when the weather is warm and the plants are actively growing. Orchids in bloom need many more nutrients than growing orchids, since the plants are putting energy into bud development. A good quality, balanced fertilizer such as a 20-20-20 added to water at a rate of 1/2 to 1 tsp. per gallon of water is typically sufficient to feed orchids in the growing months. Water with fertilizer at each watering in warm months. When it is cool, reduce this to every third watering. Avoid watering with water from a water softener, which has a high salt content.

Potting

• Repot orchids in late spring or early summer after the blooms fall from the orchid. Use a quick-draining mixture formulated for orchids, such as peat moss, charcoal or bark. Root rot occurs if the plants are allowed to remain in old, soggy orchid potting mix. Young orchids should grow fast enough to need yearly repotting. Younger orchids need finer potting soil. Older orchids require a coarser medium. To repot, remove the old orchid from the orchid pot. Trim off old, rotten roots. Spread the remaining roots over potting medium in a pot. Fill the pot with the remaining roots so that the junction of the roots and the stem are below the potting medium. Use a stick to push medium between the roots so that there are no air pockets. Wait up to 3 days before watering again.