Herself’s Houseplants

Phalaenopsis aka Moth Orchid is a pretty orchid with flowers 2 to 3 inches in size that last for three to six months. It is easy to grow and a good choice for beginners.

Phalaenopsis like bright indirect light. Put it in an east or west window, or several feet away from a south window. Direct light will burn the leaves. If the edges of the leaves are turning red give it less light, if it is not flowering give it more light.

After flowering the bottom leaves will often turn yellow and fall off, this is alright if it is only the older one or two leaves. You really want the plant to keep 6 to 8 leaves on all the time.

These plants wish to stay moist, be very careful to check them frequently. Water when the top of the growing medium is dry to the touch. Do not allow them to sit in water or the roots will turn black and rot. Air roots should be green and solid. White, shriveled ones are a sign of too little water. Notice the leaves flopping on the plant below? This plant needs more water. Good healthy leaves will not flop or be wrinkled. They will support themselves and not touch the pot or planting medium as in the plant up top.

Humidity should be between 50% and 80%. You can plant these in bark but you’ll need to water them almost daily if you do. Plant them in sphagnum moss and they will go one to two weeks between watering depending on the humidity level in your home. Some people place a wooden skewer in the pot with the orchid. Push it in like you do the bamboo support sticks. Just leave it in the pot with a little showing so you can easily grab it. Pull the skewer out to see how dry the middle of the pot is so you know whether or not you need to water.

Be careful not to get water in the crown (fold in the top young leaves) they will rot if water is trapped in the folds or between the leaves. Often this will happen as quickly as just overnight. If you get water in the crown, use a towel or que-tip to gently dry it out.

Sometimes the blooming time can be extended. After the last bloom on the spike has faded, cut off the top of the spike, above the 3rd flower node from the bottom. Phalaenopsis will sometimes send out a second spike of flowers off the main one. If you do not cut the main spike sometimes a keiki will form. This is a baby phalaenopsis. It grows in much the same way as a baby spider plant. There are chemicals on the market to help form keikis off of stems if you are interested.

If you have managed to over water your phalaenopsis and find that all the roots are gone you can make an attempt to revive the plant. Cut off the old, dead roots. Put some rooting hormone on the edge of the leaves where the roots normally come out. Wrap this area in damp moss. Place the whole thing in a large plastic baggy. Blow air in so the leaves are not touching the sides of the bag and seal. With luck new roots will appear.

See also:
General orchid care
Use sphagnum moss to make your plants easier to care for

Useful things:
Shultz Starter Plus