The orchid group includes several several hundred different genera and thousands of species, but most of the people are introduced to orchids through the Phalaenopsis genus, which are particularly good orchids for beginners. These are thick-leaved plants with elegant, arching sprays of bloom—the orchids featured in numerous design magazines sitting on coffee tables across America.

Phalaenopsis orchids are rewarding plants. they’re not demanding, and within the right conditions, they’re going to display showy blooms for months.

How to Grow Phalaenopsis Orchids

Phalaenopsis orchids are hardy in zones 10 to 12, where they will be grown outdoors in warm, humid conditions that are damp but not soggy, during a location that’s shady but bright (no direct sun). More often, these plants are grown as indoor potted plants, where successful growth means finding the proper balance between humidity, temperature, light, and airflow. Their long-lasting flowers are persisted arching branches and open successively. one multi-branching flower spike can have quite 20 flowers, and individual flowers can last for weeks.

Light

Good light is required for phalaenopsis but they will experience absolutely no direct sunlight, or the leaves will scorch. Rotate the plant from time to time to stay growth equal. Phalaenopsis can tolerate low light and can thrive in an east window, or a shaded southerly or westerly exposure. Also, they’re going to had the best under common grow lights positioned a few feet from the plant. A well-grown plant will have darker green leaves on top and streaks of red or burgundy on the undersides.

Soil

In native conditions, moth orchids grow on trees as epiphytes—a sort of plant that needs a number of plans. rather than regular soil, they have potting material that mimics a number tree or comes from a tree, like princess pine tree bark, redwood bark chips, or Monterey pine bark chips. Most bark potting media will work. Also, confirm there’s some perlite, sphagnum, charcoal, or coconut husk chips mixed in to assist with water retention. you’ll also buy a billboard potting mix that’s made special for orchids. regardless of the potting media, you employ, confirm there’s much air circulation for the rooting system. Epiphytes are familiar with breezes and wind and don’t have the best without it.

Water

Phalaenopsis may be a monopodial orchid, which suggests that it grows from one stem. It doesn’t have the massive water-storing pseudobulbs found on sympodial orchids, although its leaves can store some water. Thus, this plant features a lower tolerance for drought.

During the season , water the plant weekly or whenever its exposed roots turn silvery white. Water them within the morning and check out to stay the potting media slightly damp. During the flowering season, you’ll cut the water heater to each other week. Water should never be allowed to rest round the stem of the plant. this may cause the new leaves to rot, and therefore the plant will die.

Temperature and Humidity

Phalaenopsis orchids are considered warm houseplants. During active growth, they like temperatures between about 75 and 85 degrees F., but they will adapt to a traditional house temperature of 65 to 70 degrees. the upper the temperature, the greater the plant’s need for humidity. like all orchids, the upper the humidity and temperature, the greater the necessity for turbulent airflow to stop rot, fungus, and diseases. Many successful orchid growers keep a ceiling fan or stationary fan running constantly in rooms where they grow orchids.

These plants also sort of a nice contrast between night and day temperatures. To induce a flower spike, the plant needs a couple of cooler nights, right down to 55 degrees. The plants won’t bloom well without this temperature contrast.

Fertilizer

During the season, fertilize with a weak orchid fertilizer weekly (“weakly weekly,” because the growers say). Cut fertilizer back to once a month during the winter and flowering season. Some growers wish to give the plant a lift of blooming fertilizer in September or October to impress a flower spike.

Propagating

Orchids are propagated by seed, but the method is often time-consuming. Periodically, the plant will naturally produce “baby” orchids referred to as a Keiki. These are identical copies of the parent and normally appear on either an old or Addis Ababa spike. After the Keiki is a few years old, you’ll remove it from the parent plant and provides it its own pot. The Keiki is prepared after its two or three leaves and its own roots (about 3 inches long).

Varieties of Phalaenopsis

There are about 60 true species of phalaenopsis orchids. These plants are extensively hybridized, and there are thousands of hybrids, starting from the stark, classic white hybrid moth plant to jewel-like miniatures with clouds of yellow and candy pink blooms. New hybrids are developed constantly.

Growing in Containers

Phalaenopsis are often grown in most orchid potting media. Report Phalaenopsis in spring, after the bloom is completed. Adult phalaenopsis can often choose two years or more before they have to be repotted.

They can even be grown in hanging baskets or mounted on slabs during a greenhouse-type environment. like all epiphytic ( orchids (those that grow on surfaces) they ought to be planted in free-draining containers.

Common Pests/ Diseases

Phalaenopsis orchids haven’t any critical insect or disease problems, but the scale, mealy bugs, slugs, and snails are among the insect pests that occasionally occur. The plants also can be vulnerable to root or stem rots, which usually occur because the growing medium is just too soggy. Orchids can experience bud blast—a condition where the flower buds drop without blooming. this will be caused by sudden changes in temperature, humidity, moisture, or fertilizer.