Orchids are probably among the most popular luxurious flowering plants. Phalaenopsis orchids, moth orchids or phals, are really lovely house plants native to Australia and southeastern Asia. These beautiful decorative plants usually have several quite broad, floppy, alternating leaves, and one or more flower spikes carrying luxurious large flowers.
The flowers can be of any color, and they can also be striped. These astonishing, decorative flowers are usually up to 4 inches in diameter and bloom on one long, elegant spike. There can be a few spikes on some larger plant, with several flowers on each, although there is mostly one spike with maybe six flowers on, but, since they are quite large, the plant looks really attractive with only a few flowers on.
Considering the fact that each species of orchids requires different approach, you should make sure first your plant really is a phal, or moth. The easiest thing to do is to find some pictures on the internet. The bet place for your orchid is the east window, where it won't be exposed to a direct sunlight, but it will still get enough beneficial morning light. The temperature should be between seventy and eighty degrees F.
Moths prefer indirect or diffused light. Direct light can be quite dangerous for them, and it might burn their leaves. Early morning sun is the best for them. On the other hand, if your orchid doesn't receive enough light, it probably won't re-bloom soon enough. If it doesn't re-bloom for six months or so, it's probably because it doesn't get enough natural light.
Plant your new moth in a clay pot filled with bark mix, there are several types designed especially for orchids. In any case, you should never use various potting soils for this purpose. Moths require substrates that dry easily and allow the roots to get enough air. Plastic pots can also be used. The important thing is that the pot has enough holes on the bottom.
Watering is always important, but too much water is more dangerous than too little. In this case, water your plant maybe once a week, but only if you think that it is needed. This means that if you check the soil, and it is still wet, there is no need for watering yet. Do not pour water on or in between the leaves, and pour it until it comes out from the holes on the bottom.
Feed your plant once a month with orchid fertilizer diluted in water. When choosing the fertilizer, avoid these that use urea as the nitrogen source, because it can burn the root tips. It is better to use maybe one half of the recommended amount of fertilizer, and be careful not to get any on the leaves or in between them, just in the substrate.
The best temperature is in between 70 and 80 degrees during day, and over 60 during nights. If you are buying the plant, check the roots first. Healthy roots should be silver-green with green tops. If they are brown, the plant was probably over-watered, and if they are hard and brittle, under-watered. The plant may be saved if you trim those squishy roots and re-pot the phal, but the one with brittle roots might not be saved.
The flowers can be of any color, and they can also be striped. These astonishing, decorative flowers are usually up to 4 inches in diameter and bloom on one long, elegant spike. There can be a few spikes on some larger plant, with several flowers on each, although there is mostly one spike with maybe six flowers on, but, since they are quite large, the plant looks really attractive with only a few flowers on.
Considering the fact that each species of orchids requires different approach, you should make sure first your plant really is a phal, or moth. The easiest thing to do is to find some pictures on the internet. The bet place for your orchid is the east window, where it won't be exposed to a direct sunlight, but it will still get enough beneficial morning light. The temperature should be between seventy and eighty degrees F.
Moths prefer indirect or diffused light. Direct light can be quite dangerous for them, and it might burn their leaves. Early morning sun is the best for them. On the other hand, if your orchid doesn't receive enough light, it probably won't re-bloom soon enough. If it doesn't re-bloom for six months or so, it's probably because it doesn't get enough natural light.
Plant your new moth in a clay pot filled with bark mix, there are several types designed especially for orchids. In any case, you should never use various potting soils for this purpose. Moths require substrates that dry easily and allow the roots to get enough air. Plastic pots can also be used. The important thing is that the pot has enough holes on the bottom.
Watering is always important, but too much water is more dangerous than too little. In this case, water your plant maybe once a week, but only if you think that it is needed. This means that if you check the soil, and it is still wet, there is no need for watering yet. Do not pour water on or in between the leaves, and pour it until it comes out from the holes on the bottom.
Feed your plant once a month with orchid fertilizer diluted in water. When choosing the fertilizer, avoid these that use urea as the nitrogen source, because it can burn the root tips. It is better to use maybe one half of the recommended amount of fertilizer, and be careful not to get any on the leaves or in between them, just in the substrate.
The best temperature is in between 70 and 80 degrees during day, and over 60 during nights. If you are buying the plant, check the roots first. Healthy roots should be silver-green with green tops. If they are brown, the plant was probably over-watered, and if they are hard and brittle, under-watered. The plant may be saved if you trim those squishy roots and re-pot the phal, but the one with brittle roots might not be saved.
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You can find details about different types of moth orchids and more info about a reputable orchid company at http://www.justourorchids.com/about right now.
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