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Caring for Your Phalaenopsis Orchid
The Phalaenopsis produces beautiful, delicate flowers. It can be grown easily in your home or greenhouse. It is a reliable bloomer and when fully mature, the plant seems to bloom all year round.
Temperature:
Phalaenopsis do best with minimum night temperatures of 62 degrees. They tolerate heat better than most orchids and will go up into the 90s on a hot day as long as the humidity level is adequate.
Light:
Fortunately, Phalaenopsis do not have a high light requirement. Provide them with filtered sunlight at least part of the day, however, for them to bloom well. An east window is excellent. If the foliage begins to yellow, the plant may be getting too much light.
Watering:
Phalaenopsis cannot store water, so they should not be allowed to dry out; neither should they be kept too wet. A thorough watering twice a week should be adequate. It is best to prevent water from getting on the leaves. Use tepid, not cold water. Water the plant in the morning. If the plant remains wet at night, rot may easily develop.
Fertilizing:
Phalaenopsis should be fed every two weeks with orchid fertilizer.
Repotting:
Phalaenopsis should be repotted about every two years unless they outgrow their pots or the mix breaks down. Repot using orchid bark or sphagnum moss.
Problems:
Rot generally takes the form of dark, watery areas on the leaves or the loss of leaves.
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