Phalaenopsis Orchid

Phalaenopsis orchid

Water

  • Orchids are normally epiphytes in nature growing in trees without soil. They like water, but don’t want to stay wet
  • If your orchid is in a cachepot (a decorative container without drainage) remove the plant in its plastic pot to water it
  • Take your plant to the sink and water thoroughly, running water through the pot for a few minutes
  • Let it drain thoroughly before returning to cachepot
  • Do NOT let water sit in the center of the leaves–they will rot and fall apart (trust me- I’ve done it)
  • When the roots are gray in color, they are dry. When they are a nice mint green color, they are well hydrated.

Light

  • Medium to bright light is good.
  • East exposure is perfect
  • West is also good, but back a bit from the windowsill
  • If it doesn’t bloom within the year, it needs more light

Fertilizer

  • Use fertilizer for orchids and follow the directions.
  • I usually never use fertilizer for indoor plants at full strength
  • Never use more fertilizer than called for

Additional Care

  • Use a lemon slice or lemon juice to clean the leaves if it has mineral water spots or fertilizer spots from the greenhouse
  • Remember not to let the water sit in the center of the plant (worth saying twice)
  • If you have grown and bloomed an African violet, put this plant next to it and you should have blooms every year
  • Many cut the flower off right above the second node (swelled area on the flower stem) when it is done flowering. The plant will often send out another flower spike. I feel it is better to cut it off at the base by the leaves and let it store up energy for a bigger display the next year.

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