Phalaenopsis Orchid Care

How can you care for orchids in such a way that they maintain their beauty for many years and grow more beautiful every time they bloom? On this page, you can find answers to questions such as: what are the main tips and tricks for orchid maintenance, how to care for orchids at home, how to make them bloom, and much more. We have prepared all the necessary information about orchid care for you.

Characteristics of Orchids

  ⏩ There are around 880 genera and more than 22,000 species of orchids worldwide, spread across large territories, mainly in the tropics.

  ⏩ Their white, blue, and magenta flowers, durable structure, and beauty make orchids one of the most beloved flowers of any season. The most well-known and preferred orchid genus in our country is the Phalaenopsis orchid. This species has a short body. Its wide, large leaves cover its roots.

  ⏩ They bloom at least twice a year and for up to 12 weeks. With proper care, they can bloom 3 or even 4 times.

Proper Orchid Care

Sunlight:

Orchids do not like too much sun; when there is too much, their flowers immediately wilt. However, it is also not good for the orchid to be placed in a dark spot where it does not receive sunlight.

Orchids do not bloom if they do not receive enough sunlight. Although the light they are exposed to should be semi-filtered; this means that when it touches the leaves, they should not feel hot, but a little warm.

Temperature:

Although orchids are tropical plants, they are not suitable for regions with extremely hot summers. For the orchid to maintain healthy growth, it should be placed in a location with a minimum temperature of 18 C° and a maximum of 29 C°. Temperatures above or below these values do not hinder their development unless they are exposed to them for a long duration; if so, the plant could be permanently damaged.

Humidity:

Humidity requirements for orchids vary by species. However, in general, they require at least 50% humidity during the day and at least 70% humidity at night. They will grow healthier and faster in an environment that has a higher humidity level than the minimum requirement.

Watering:

Watering is vital for orchids. Overwatering causes damage to the roots of the plant that is difficult to repair. Orchid watering varies according to the plant's needs and the climate. However, it should generally be watered once a week or by dividing the same amount of water over two separate days. The orchid should be watered with room temperature water.

There are 3 commonly preferred methods for watering orchids:

  ⏩ Watering the orchid using the immersion method: To water your orchid using the immersion method, place the pot in a container filled with pre-settled water and leave it in the water for 10-15 minutes, until all the roots are wet. Afterward, remove the pot from the container, wait for the remaining water to drain, and let the pot dry sufficiently before returning it to its previous spot. You can apply this method once a week.

  ⏩ Watering the orchid with ice cubes: Another method, popularly used to water plants with hard soil, is the ice cube watering method. Place several ice cubes under the leaves of the plant, avoiding contact with them. In this way, the ice will gradually melt, and the plant's soil will have the opportunity to absorb the water. Once the melting is complete, be sure to remove any remaining water from the saucer. You can water your plant twice a week with this method.

  ⏩ Pouring water directly: Of course, you can also choose conventional methods to water your flower. You can pour room temperature, pre-settled water directly into your orchid pot and empty any remaining water from the pot's saucer. You can water your plant once a week with this method.

Tip: Never water your plant with a spray bottle. When you water your plant using this method, the leaves can get wet. If the leaves remain wet, fungal problems can arise.

Soil:

Orchid soil is unique. It requires a mix prepared with various fibers and peats. You can change the mix when repotting your plant.

Fertilizer:

You can fertilize your orchid at regular intervals to encourage it to bloom. Since orchid soil is different from conventional ornamental plant soil, you should always use liquid fertilizers or nutrients. You can give liquid fertilizer to your plants once a month, or you can apply it weekly by dividing the necessary amount by 4.
Tip: You can freeze liquid fertilizer in ice cube trays and place the frozen fertilizer cubes in the plant's soil, allowing them to melt slowly and be absorbed by the roots.

Choosing the pot:

Orchid roots need light. That is why their pot must be transparent to transmit light. When repotting the plant, the pot should be cut and removed, if necessary, so as not to damage the roots, and any detached roots should not be put back into the pot.

Pruning:

Orchids usually keep their flowers for about 3-4 months after blooming. After the flowers fall, the stems remain alive for a while. As long as your orchid's stem is green, it means it is still alive. However, once the stem starts to dry out and turn brown, it will no longer be necessary for it to remain there. You can cut the brown stem diagonally with a pair of sterile scissors and separate it from the plant. If you cut the plant's stem while it is green, you can use it as a cutting to produce a new orchid.

How to propagate Phalaenopsis orchids?

Several methods can be used to propagate orchids. The three most commonly used methods are cutting, keiki, and separation methods.

Orchid propagation by cutting method

Propagation by cutting (grafting) is a technique for creating a new plant using a stem, root, or leaf fragment called a cutting, taken from the plant to be propagated. To use this method, your orchids must be sufficiently developed and have flowers pointing in different directions. The steps for orchid propagation by cutting are as follows:

  ⏩ After the flowers have fallen, cut a stem with green leaves from bottom to top with a sharp, sterile knife 1-2 cm above the 3 nodes. You are essentially pruning here. So, you can try to propagate your orchids when you are pruning them, as long as the cuttings you obtain are suitable.

  ⏩ After this, you can prevent the stem from rotting by applying garden sulfur powder or cinnamon to the cut.

  ⏩ If the leaf below the stem is not healthy, it will never recover. That is why if there is any, you must remove it.

  ⏩ Afterward, you must keep the orchid in a completely dark place. Even if it receives very little sunlight, there will be no bud formation on the flower stem.