Phalaenopsis Orchid Care

Phalaenopsis Orchid Care

Phalaenopsis orchids originate from south east Asia and are one of the longest flowering orchids. They produce beautifully elegant blooms for up to six months of the year, this combined with the fact that they are very easy to look after is the reason why they are now one of the most commonly grown orchids in the world. The following is a guide to caring for your flowering Phalaenopsis plants.

Light & Shade:

Phalaenopsis orchids don’t require a great deal of light so position them in a spot where they will receive a resonable amount of bright light during the day. If you wish to place them on a window sill an easterly aspect is best but avoid direct sunlight as this will burn the orchid – a sheer curtain should help filter the sunlight. During the winter months where the amount of daylight decreases it would be best to try and move the orchid into a position where it will receive more daylight if possible. Generally the leaf colour is a good indicator of whether your orchid plant is receiving too much or too little light. The leaves should generally be a bright green colour – dark green leaves mean that there is insufficient light and reddish green leaves indicate too much light.

Temperature:

Phalaenopsis orchids enjoy a fairly warm climate, in fact the average temperature range in most homes is generally the ideal climate for phalaenopsis orchids, therefore they make excellent indoor plants. In the southern parts of Australia where there is not a great deal of humidity it would be ideal to keep your phalaenopsis in the more humid parts of your home like the bathroom or kitchen area, 50% to 70% is considered ideal, however, if they are kept well watered, over time they will adjust to lower humidity levels.

Watering:

It is best to water your Phalaenopsis orchid early in the morning, approximately every 5 to 12 days or when the potting mix is approaching dryness but should not ever be left to completely dry out. You should not leave your orchid sitting in water for long periods of time as it will develop bacteria or fungal rot.