I need to know as much as YOU all Know about Phalaenopsis Orchis.?

Question

I love Phalaenopsis Orchis so my husband got me one for vday. well i need to know how to care for it, how often it will bloom, when i cut it down and how far. what kind of light it needs , how much water & repoting? please help!! I love this plant & just want to keep it alive

Answer 1

Oh, you lucky girl! A phal is a beautiful orchid and will give you many years of joy if you take care of it properly.

Water - very very little - orchids are air plants and are often killed by over watering. Water only when the plant feels very light (lift it up - best way to tell), water, and then shake the pot to get rid of the excess. It's best to water in the morning so that the plant can have all day to absorb.

Humidity - orchids thrive on a moist environment. That's easy to do in your home by placing the plant on a bed of stones and water. A soup bowl works, just fill it with stones to keep the plant out of the water. Make sure you keep the water level up. Misting daily will keep your plant happy but isn't really necessary.

Light - no sunlight - it will actually burn the leaves of the orchid. They like bright light, though. Mine is angled away from the window, behind the curtains so that any sun is filtered but lots of light.

Pots - you shouldn't need to repot for years as the orchid's roots will spill over the pot anyway - this is normal for the plant. If the plant is absolutely potbound, and this is rare, then take a mixture of bark chips, gravel, soil and some charcoal (heavy on the bark chips) and bake that for 20 minutes at 200F to disinfect. Repot in a special orchid pot that is ventilated. This is crucial for the orchid.

On pots - if your pot is plastic then it's a good idea to poke some holes in it all over to allow the orchid to breath properly. I wouldn't worry about repotting now.

Blooming - they bloom once a year, around Dec - Feb.

Outdoors - you can put your orchid outside in the summer and she will thank you for it. Make sure it's a well shaded area, and if there are long droughts water it. Otherwise ignore it. Bring it in if the temperatures drop.

Temperatures - 55F is the lowest I would go with an orchid, and they don't seem to mind the humid days of summer.

Other tips - orchids need a period of rest after blooming. Cut back on the watering and don't fertilize until growth starts again in the spring. Remove the spent bloom. In the spring fertilize with a standard orchid blend (you can get this in WalMart).

That's all I can think of right now, dear. Orchids really do best if the humidity is high, the temperatures moderate and DO NOT OVERWATER. This is the #1 killer of orchids. I've forgotten to water mine for ages and it will forgive you much quicker than over watering. If you're not sure, don't water. I killed a zylo in one week this way.

All the best with your new beauty!

Answer 2

I agree with all the instructions listed above.......... except sunlight. I had one in a room with a western exposure and it never got any direct sun. After 2 years without bloom I moved it to a room with south exposure and put it right next to the window sill. In about one month I saw a flower spike. I have other orchids that I keep in the same room and they bloom at least twice a year. Be sure not to over water!!! Good luck to you!!

Answer 3

Read these resources as it helped me alot too. I learned from them as I am new with orchid.