Phalaenopsis Care
Temperature:
Phalaenopsis are warm growing orchids. They tend to grow during “tropical periods” June, July & August in the Northeast. However, to achieve long lasting flowers “room temperature conditions” are best. The minimum temperature at night is 60 °F, while the average daytime temperature should be around 70 °F for long lasting flowers. Occasional deviations will not harm your plant, except when it is in bud – chilly temperatures may cause the plant to stop budding and drop buds.
Light:
Phalaenopsis will flourish indoors under bright indirect sunlight. Phalaenopsis should not be placed in direct sunlight.
Water:
Water often enough to keep continuous moisture just below the surface of the medium, but be cautious of over-watering. Watering every 7 days is a good starting point. You may need to water every 8 days or 12 days depending on the plants location. Let the top surface of the pot almost dry out and then water completely with warm water. Put in a sink and water the pot and leaves and not the flowers.
Humidity:
Phalaenopsis enjoy warm moist air, with a humidity level of 60-70% being ideal.
Feeding:
Good results may be obtained by using balanced house plant food at half strength. Feed your plant once a month year round.
Re-potting:
Plants can be re-potted every two years and can go back into the same sized pot. We like sphagnum moss.
When the flowers are finished: If you would like to try to get a few additional flowers open from the original flower spike, you can cut it back, just below where the first flower opened. The original spike may create a branch and flowers on one of the nodes of the spike. This process can take 3 to 4 months. Alternatively, you can cut the original spike all the way back to the plant and let the plant grow new leaves. A plant with new leaves has more energy to produce more flowers on a new spike. Once the season moves into fall and you have grown a new leaf it will most likely produce a new flower spike.
Continue taking good care of the plant by following the directions above.