5in Phalaenopsis Orchid
5in Phalaenopsis Orchid
5in Phalaenopsis Orchid
The Plant Stand of Arizona

5in Phalaenopsis Orchid

Regular price $19.99 Sale price $29.99 Unit price per

Light

Good lighting is required to grow Phalaenopsis, but direct sunlight will scorch the leaves. During the winter, however, you can place the orchid in a south-facing or east-facing window that experiences some direct light. Rotate your orchid from time to time to keep its growth even. You can also position it under a common grow light, locating the flowers about a foot underneath the light.

In native conditions, moth orchids grow on trees. For this reason, they are considered an epiphytea type of plant that requires a host, but is not parasitic. To mimic these conditions, potted orchids are often grown in a potting mix made from fir tree bark, redwood bark chips, or Monterey pine bark chips. Most bark potting media, complete with perlite, sphagnum moss, charcoal, or coconut husk chips will help the orchid retain water. You can also buy a commercial potting mix that is made especially for orchids. Phalaenopsis need plenty of air circulation around their root system, as they don't thrive in a suffocating medium.

Phalaenopsis is a "monopodial" orchid, which means that it grows from a single stem. It does not have the large water-storing pseudobulbs found on sympodial (or branching) orchids, hence, this plant has a lower tolerance for drought.

During the growing season, water the plant weekly or whenever its exposed roots turn silvery white (about once a week). Run warm water over the plant, bark, and aerial roots three or four times over the course of about 10 minutes, giving the orchid plenty of time for absorption. Then, make sure it's completely drained before you return it back to its window. Water should never be allowed to rest around the stem of the plant. This will cause the new leaves to rot, and the plant will die. Once the roots have been watered, they should turn from silver to pale green. During the flowering season, you can cut the waterings back to every other week.