The Care Guide for Phalaenopsis Orchids

Buying an orchid? or received one? you may ask how do i care for an orchid? I'm hoping this care guide can give you a breakdown for the care requirements for Phalaenopsis orchids. Learn about information attaining to conditions like watering, sunlight, media.

Signs for:

Healthy Orchid - Green tips on roots / firm leaf growth / additional roots / stem proliferation.

Unhealthy Orchid - sagging leaves / black/yellow colouring / lack of growth.

Secondly, a few topics of care to note:

CARE TIP #1

AIR FLOW

Phalaenopsis are epiphytic orchids and love air circulation. Ensure your orchids roots can breathe so consider 'empty space' as a theoretical type of media you should include when potting an orchid. If potted - pick a pot that allows air to flow in and out of the pot.

CARE TIP #2

Watering

Orchids will mostly need watering around every 10 days to 14 days - depending on media and your growing conditions. Orchids may be watered top-down or bottom-up, however, they should be leaf-dry 24hrs following your watering schedule. Green roots are signs your orchid is watered.

CARE TIP #3

Light

Expect your orchid to thrive on light in order to produce blooms for you. Light is energy for plants. Grow lights can always assist your grow space. For best growth ensure your orchid receives enough light in order to successfully photosynthesise but not enough light that it burns the leaves.

CARE TIP #4

Media

Media can differ between species but focus should be what you need from your media. Bark can bring structure, Sphagnum moss can bring humidity and water retention, and perlite allows air flow. These are the main media Orchids Direct uses to grow the range.

CARE TIP #5

Maintenance

Stems can be cut once blooming season has finished. Some stems can continue growing depending on species. Flower shop Phalaenopsis can be stem cut and can grow back once the plant has sufficient energy.