Care for a Miniature Phalaenopsis Orchid

Keep miniature Phalaenopsis orchids in small 6-inch pots with drainage holes to give them security and balance. These are top-heavy plants that fall over easily. Use Phalaenopsis-appropriate potting media like gravel, sand, perlite, peat moss and fern matter for these aerial orchids, which require air circulation for their roots and fail in traditional soil.

Put miniature Phalaenopsis orchids in indirect light, partial sun or artificial lighting. These low-light orchids do well with morning sun and afternoon shade but dry and burn in full all-day sun. Keep them in east- or south-facing windows and monitor the foliage for signs of incorrect lighting. Yellowing leaves indicate too much light, while dark, narrow leaves and lack of flowers indicate not enough light.

Maintain consistent temperatures for miniature Phalaenopsis. These warm-growing orchids thrive with daytime temperatures of 70 to 85 degrees F and nighttime temperatures of 60 to 68 degrees F. They fail at temperatures under 60 degrees F.

Water mini-Phalaenopsis orchids when their potting medium dries. Start with a schedule of 2 inches of water every seven to 10 days and alter the schedule to fit your needs. Phalaenopsis orchids prefer dry conditions and suffer in standing water. Monitor the soil surface for watering needs.

Feed mini-Phalaenopsis orchids with water-soluble 5-5-5, 10-10-10, 12-12-12 or 20-20-20 fertilizer, mixed at one-quarter power, every two weeks. Use the fertilizer mixture as a standard watering. Substitute 30-10-10 fertilizer once a month and switch to 10-50-10 in the blooming season.