Growing Instructions - Phalaenopsis
The phalaenopsis comes from hot, humid, India, Malaya, Java, and other South Pacific islands. The Philippines are particularly rich in these beautiful orchids. The species Phalaenopsis amabalis, queen mother of today's hybrids, has long been cultivated by the natives of these islands. where they can still be found attached to trees, potted in coconut shells. The humidity is very high there, with an average temperature of 80ºF. Imagine the excitement upon finding the plants blooming in nature, growing on the fine barked trees of the island forests, rooted mid-trunk or under a high cluster of leaves where they receive diffused light.
Phalaenopsis like bright filtered or indirect light, so avoid direct sunlight. Some good locations are: under a hazed skylight, in an east window, behind a sheer curtain in a window. Watch the color of the foliage. If after a month the foliage has become a darker shade of green, it may not be receiving enough light. If it becomes much light, it may be getting too much light. For those with light meters, 1000 footcandles is ideal.
Temperature
These orchids are
considered warm growing. They like it indoors. The
phalaenopsis comes from a tropical climate. It grows best between
60º and 90ºF. For most locations, this makes them an excellent
indoor orchid.
Water
Most properly potted phalaenopsis will
do well with an average of one thorough watering a week. if you are
experiencing unusually hot and dry weather you may water more frequently
and do the opposite for cold weather. Big plants in small pots dry
out faster. plants in old decomposed bark stay wet longer. The
best way to determine when to water is by lifting the pot and feeling the
weight. By practicing this you will soon know exactly when to
water. At best, you want to water the day before the bark is
completely dry.
Fertilizer
Add to one gallon of water, one ½
teaspoon of a balanced fertilizer such as 20-20-20 or Dyna-gro
7-9-5. Use fertilizer for 3 waterings, and use plain water for the
fourth to clear out deposits.
Dividing and Repotting
It is
very easy to repot these plants. When the plant has finished
blooming, cut off the finished flower spike at about a half inch from the
base. gently remove the plant from the pot by squeezing the pot
while pulling on the plant. Then remove all the old bark and dead
roots. Dead roots will be hollow, mushy, and/or dark. Most of
the time you can use the same pot again after washing it. If the
plant and its roots look too big go up a pot size. place the plant
back in the pot so that it is not trying to push itself out. If
necessary, trim the roots with a sterile blade to fit the plant back
in. Now gently pour in the new bark (½ to ¾ inch) while taping the
sides of the pot and gently pressing the bark down. Wait two days
and then water.
If the plant is healthy and does not repotting, you may extend your blooming time by cutting the finished spike just below the bottom flower. A new spike may sprout at the first node below the bottom flower. If a new spike does not sprout after two months go ahead and cut it off at the base.
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