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| PHALAENOPSIS CARE
LIGHT This is THE important factor to get right to successfully raise and bloom orchids. Correct light is important for proper plant growth. You can usually judge how much light an orchid needs by watching the leaves. You want the leaves to be a light grass green. In correct light, some plants will produce a pigment that resemble plum colored freckles or suntan. This shows that the plant has as much light as it can stand and is trying to protect itself from burning. This is an almost ideal situation for good blooming. See the individual culture sections for more detail on light needs.If the leaves become very yellow, move the plant to more shade. Too intense a light or moving a plant from heavy shade to intense light can cause sun scalding. This is indicated by good sized bleached looking spots that turn black, crispy, and dry, looking charred.If the leaves become dark emerald green, move the plant to more light. This coloration shows that the plant wants more light to grow well. The plant will live indefinitely under lower than desirable light conditions, but it generally won’t bloom.
Watering is the OTHER important thing to get right. Most orchids are epiphytic. They grow ON trees or other plants, and they get moisture from the air. Nutrients are obtained from rain carrying decaying matter over the roots. This means that they NEVER stand in water in nature. The plants should NEVER be allowed to stand in water in your home. Orchids plants must be watered somewhat differently from most plants. How much and how often depends on several things: * How dry your conditions are. No hard rule for watering can be stated. Some homes are drier than others.Small pots dry out faster than large pots. Some plants prefer more water than others. Watch the plants, they let you know when they need water.The roots will tell you if you have good watering habits. They’re white, firm, and fleshy with green tips in healthy plants. Overwatered plants have few good roots, and many soggy, mushy, brown, dead ones. They set their own schedule. Most tolerate being dryer better than staying soggy. When you water, LET THE WATER RUN THROUGH THE MEDIA.
Most in-home temperatures will be acceptable for growing orchids. They are comfortable where you are. Between 55F and 80F is best. Temperature extremes should be avoided, but can be survived readily. The plants can live after temperatures in the 30’sF, as long as no frost forms on the plant. 100F is survivable if there’s air movement. Watch the humidity at extreme temperatures. AIR MOVEMENT In their native environment nearly all plants are exposed to constant breezes. Orchids are no exceptions. Moving air will help them. It will also cut down on disease problems, either in a greenhouse or a living room. Good air movement prevents cold or hot spots, which can make it more difficult for you to grow the plant well. A small fan will quickly pay for itself by giving you better growing conditions. HUMIDITY If you have adequate humidity to raise other houseplants, you have enough to raise orchids. If humidity is a problem for your other plants, then it will be a concern for you in raising orchids. No expensive equipment is necessary to provide more humidity for your orchid. Any tray large enough to hold your plants will do. Fill the tray with gravel or place a rack across the tray. Next, put water in the tray. Be sure the plants aren’t sitting in the water. The evaporating water will help the plants thrive in a dry environment. NEVER place orchids in standing water. POTTING MEDIA Most orchids are epiphytes, THEY WILL NOT GROW IN GARDEN POTTING SOIL!! They are air plants. The roots need to dry slightly between waterings. Garden soil won’t allow this. The main function of media are to provide support. Anything that does this and allows air passage will do. Common media are: Pro-Mix BX, Peat Moss, New Zealand Sphagnum Moss, Fir Bark Chips, Redwood Bark Chips, Osmunda Fiber, Tree Fern Fiber, Coconut Fiber, Sifted Perlite, Granular Charcoal, Expanded Clay, Cork and others. FERTILIZING No plant will live on air and water alone. Most orchid potting media provide support only, and have little or no food value. When the plants are in bark they need a high nitrogen food (30-10-10 ETC.). Plants in most other media need a balanced food (18-18-18 ETC.). Use a water soluble fertilizer at the dilutions recommended on the label. Plants in lower light need less fertilizer or the tips of leaves start to shrivel. Flush the pots with plain water occasionally to prevent deadly salt buildup. REPOTTING Orchid roots usually creep over the edge of the pot before the body of the plant makes it to the edge of the pot. This is NOT A SIGNAL to repot. Repotting is only necessary when the body of the plant has grown over the pot or the media breaks down and won’t allow the roots to dry between waterings. Plants usually outgrows the pot before the media starts staying soggy. It’s best to repot when you see signs of new growth. These steps are general and could vary slightly, depending on the media you use: * Take the plant out of the pot. |
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