Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings

Most often from the orchid family, people buy phalaenopsis. Unfortunately, they are often thrown away after their petals have fallen off. But with proper care, your orchid can bloom several times a year.

Steps

1. 1 Determine that you have exactly phalaenopsis. Different types of orchids need their own care.
   • Phalaenopsis usually has 3-6 very wide, flexible, alternating leaves. The stem of the flower arises between these leaves.
   • Phalaenopsis flowers can be of any color, including white, pink, yellow, striped, or speckled. The flowers are usually 5-10 cm in diameter and bloom on a stem that can reach 30-45 cm in length.
   • A large flower can have several stems and from three to twenty flowers. If you are not sure if you have phalaenopsis, search the Internet for images of it.
2. 2 Don't over-water the orchid! Over-watering is the main cause of flower death, and you won't even know you are watering too much until the flower withers.
   • Phalaenopsis is an epiphytic plant - in the wild, they cling to a tree or stone with their roots and receive nutrients from detritus that accumulate around their roots.
   • This means that in the natural environment, their roots are not found in wet soil. Quite often, orchids from large supermarkets are either watered too hard or too lightly. Excessive watering of the plant leads to root rot and death of the plant due to the inability to absorb all the water.
   • Plants that are not adequately watered have tough and brittle roots. Healthy orchid roots should be thick, silvery green with bright green tips.
   • It is recommended that you test the roots of a new phalaenopsis before bringing it home. If all the roots are brown and muddy, cut them off and repot the plant.
   • Let the soil be slightly dry until you see new roots growing.
   • When will you still water the flower (it is enough to water it at least once a week, but it is still advisable to stick your finger in the ground to check if the flower needs water, and if the ground is wet, then it is not worth watering the flower yet) , let the water completely pass through the ground and drain out of the holes in the pot.
   • Do not pour water on or in between the leaves, as this can cause rotting and death of the plant.
   • Generally, over-watering a plant is more likely to kill it than under-watering.
3. 3 Plant your orchid correctly. Planting your orchid correctly will help you avoid drowning it in the water!
   • During this time, it is advisable to remove the orchid in some kind of damp room, for example, in the bathroom (the main thing is that the flower receives at least a little sunlight).
   • Phalaenopsis can be planted in a number of substances, the main thing is that they allow the roots to "breathe" and dry out relatively quickly.
   • This means that phalaenopsis should never be planted in potting soil. One of the most successful substances for planting an orchid is a bark mixture.
   • To transplant a plant, take a plastic or clay pot (plastic pots retain water better and you need to water the flower less, but if you water too much, then it is better to take an earthen pot).
   • The size of the pot should be such that the roots of the plant will fit well in it, and not its leaves. Small pots are best, as the soil dries out faster.
   • Place your flower in the middle of the pot and pour the bark mixture into it. When filling the pot with the mixture, knock it on the ground to help the mixture settle better.
   • It is recommended to soak the bark in water beforehand. There should always be holes in the bottom of the pot for good drainage of water.
   • If you like, you can place a plastic pot with holes in a more decorative container, and then just take it out when you need to water the flower.
   • Orchids don't like being in wet soil! Not all roots will fit in the pot, and that's okay.
     • (Phalaenopsis has aerial roots, you can spray them with water when you water the plant).
4. 4 Do not place the flower in direct sunlight. Phalaenopsis does not like bright light. He does not like to be under direct sun, as this may cause his leaves to burn.
   • Diffused light or early morning light is best suited for phalaenopsis.
   • Overhead lamps in the house will not be enough, so it is better to place the flower next to the window, where it can receive natural diffused light.
   • Not enough light will prevent the flower from blooming again. If six months have passed since the last flowering, try placing the plant where it will receive more light.
5. 5 Keep the plant warm. Phalaenopsis does not like excessive cold. The temperature at night should not drop below 16 degrees Celsius. Recommended daytime temperatures should be between 21 and 26 degrees Celsius.
6. 6 Don't forget to nourish the plant. At some point, phalaenopsis will need to be fed with food for plants.
   • It is recommended to saturate the plant once a month by diluting the food with water.
   • You should take half the recommended dose and avoid foods that contain urea for nitrogen as this can burn the roots.
   • It is best to use the formulas 10/10/10 or 20/20/20. There are several formulas specifically for orchids, but they are all almost identical.
7. 7 If your first plant doesn't survive, try again! Starting with a healthy plant is easier than trying to salvage one that has been poorly looked after in the store. Look for a flower with large, thick roots and healthy, vibrant leaves that will not fall off.

Tips

• Find out if your philanopsis is getting enough light by checking the hand shadow where you have the flower. If the edges of your hand are very clear, then the light is too strong for the flower. If the edges are blurry, then there is about enough light. If there is no shadow at all, then your flower is not receiving enough light to bloom.
• Flower stems without flowers can be cut at the base. If you cut the stems to about two nodes from the base, sometimes they can bloom again. But if your plant is in poor condition, then it is best to leave it alone and not try to make it bloom this way.
• Once the stem begins to grow, it can take quite a while for flowers to appear on it, so be patient!
• Phalaenopsis usually blooms around the same time of year, so if you bought it when it bloomed, expect it to bloom around that time every year.
• People usually plant the flower in moss and many phalaenospices are also sold planted in moss. If you know what you are doing, it can be very beneficial for the flower (let the moss turn almost crispy before watering the flower again). If not, then the plant can be very easily poured with water, so it is better to take a mixture from tree bark.

Warnings

• Orchids are very easy to get used to! It is very difficult to settle for one plant after you have had success with them!