Orchid Care Tips Blog

Top 15 Facts About Phalaelopsis Orchids

1. Most Phalaenopsis Orchids are from Northern Australia, India, Indonesia, the Phillipines, and othet tropical areas.
2. Medium bark, or sphagnum moss works best for potting Phalaenopsis Orchids.
3. Phalaenopsis prefer not to have temperatures below 62 degrees F or above 83 degrees F.
4. There are over 60 Phalaenopsis Orchid species.
5. Most Phalaenopsis are small to medium plants, but some can be somewhat large if older or a particular variety.
6. Phalaenopsis Orchids like tight pots on their roots. These pots usually end up being small to medium size.
7. Repotting should be done every 2-3 years. The best time to repot is when blooming is done.
8. Phalaenopsis Orchids do not have pseudobulbs, and are monopodial in structure. This means the plant does not have the same kind of storage mechanism for water and nutrients that Oncidiums, Dendrobiums, and many other Orchids have.
9. The thick spongy roots like to be misted in the summer heat.
10. A good way to tell if the plant is getting enough or too much light is to judge by leaf color. The leaves should be similar to the color of grass.
11. Too much light san sunburn Phalaenopsis leaves. Phalaenopsis Orchids do not like direct sunlight.
12. Too little water with slow growth and flowering, and roots can dry. Too much water will drown roots eventually and decompose the potting mix somewhat fast.
13. Phalaenopsis Orchids should be watered ideally once per week. BUT, if it is cooler or warmer, or the plant is in conditions where the pot weight does not lighten within a week, alter watering.
14. Phalaenopsis Orchids should be fertilized weakly, weekly. One in four waterings should have no fertilizer. If too much is used, leaf tips can burn and roots tips can burn as well.
15. Phalaenopsis plants can bloom at any time of the year, and can bloom 1-12 months. When the plant is done flowering, it can either be cut at the base of the flower spike, or below the last flower down the stem, in hopes the plant will rebloom. Only do this if the plant leaves and roots look strong enough to help the plant bloom again.

Top 5 Ways to Save Money When Buying Orchids

1. Buy a plant with more buds and one/some already open, so you know you’ll enjoy the full blooming of the plant without bud blast.
2. Don’t buy by price, buy by what you like. More expensive often doesn’t mean better with Orchids.
3. Get a plant with strong roots. Loot at the bottom of the pot and see if you can see roots through the holes.
4. Make sure you are buying a sturdy plant. If it is loose in the mix don’t buy it.
5. If a plant is on sale there is usually a reason. You’ll get a better buy in terms of plant quality and bloom time for your money by choosing a plant that is not on clearance. Those on clearance usually are on their way out.