Orchids are probably among the most popular luxurious flowering plants. Phalaenopsis orchids, moth orchids or phals, are really lovely house plants native to Australia and southeastern Asia. These beautiful decorative plants usually have several quite broad, floppy, alternating leaves, and one or more flower spikes carrying luxurious large flowers.
These lovely large flowers may have up to four inches in diameter, and come in all different colors and color variations. The spike is usually up to 18 inches long, an carries several flowers. It is usually only one spike at the time, but larger plants may have a few spikes, each carrying a few flowers. In any case, the plant is quite attractive, and really popular.
Considering the fact that each species of orchids requires different approach, you should make sure first your plant really is a phal, or moth. The easiest thing to do is to find some pictures on the internet. The bet place for your orchid is the east window, where it won't be exposed to a direct sunlight, but it will still get enough beneficial morning light. The temperature should be between seventy and eighty degrees F.
Although moths prefer indirect or filtered morning light, the right amount of light is really important, if you want it to bloom regularly. If it doesn't get enough sun, it won't re-bloom as it should. On the other hand, direct sunlight might burn the leaves. Finding the right balance is quite important here, and the best type of light is natural light.
The best pot for your moth is made of terra cotta or plastic. Never use potting soil for orchids. There are numerous bark mixes designed especially for these lovely plants, and you should choose among them. These substrates allow enough air for the roots, and dry easily, and that is quite important. Large holes on the bottom of the pot are also needed, for better drainage.
Water your plant once a week, but make sure that it is really needed. If the soil is still wet, skip the watering. Over-watering is more dangerous for this lovely plant than under-watering, so keep that in mind. Water it until water comes out of the holes in the pot, but not over or in between the leaves. Use room temperature water only.
Fertilize the orchid once a month, with appropriate orchid fertilizer that doesn't contain urea. Urea might damage the root tips, and other sources of nitrogen are better for this purpose. Dilute the fertilizer in the water first, and use milder solution that the one that is recommended. Make sure that this solution doesn't touch the leaves.
The best temperature is in between 70 and 80 degrees during day, and over 60 during nights. If you are buying the plant, check the roots first. Healthy roots should be silver-green with green tops. If they are brown, the plant was probably over-watered, and if they are hard and brittle, under-watered. The plant may be saved if you trim those squishy roots and re-pot the phal, but the one with brittle roots might not be saved.
These lovely large flowers may have up to four inches in diameter, and come in all different colors and color variations. The spike is usually up to 18 inches long, an carries several flowers. It is usually only one spike at the time, but larger plants may have a few spikes, each carrying a few flowers. In any case, the plant is quite attractive, and really popular.
Considering the fact that each species of orchids requires different approach, you should make sure first your plant really is a phal, or moth. The easiest thing to do is to find some pictures on the internet. The bet place for your orchid is the east window, where it won't be exposed to a direct sunlight, but it will still get enough beneficial morning light. The temperature should be between seventy and eighty degrees F.
Although moths prefer indirect or filtered morning light, the right amount of light is really important, if you want it to bloom regularly. If it doesn't get enough sun, it won't re-bloom as it should. On the other hand, direct sunlight might burn the leaves. Finding the right balance is quite important here, and the best type of light is natural light.
The best pot for your moth is made of terra cotta or plastic. Never use potting soil for orchids. There are numerous bark mixes designed especially for these lovely plants, and you should choose among them. These substrates allow enough air for the roots, and dry easily, and that is quite important. Large holes on the bottom of the pot are also needed, for better drainage.
Water your plant once a week, but make sure that it is really needed. If the soil is still wet, skip the watering. Over-watering is more dangerous for this lovely plant than under-watering, so keep that in mind. Water it until water comes out of the holes in the pot, but not over or in between the leaves. Use room temperature water only.
Fertilize the orchid once a month, with appropriate orchid fertilizer that doesn't contain urea. Urea might damage the root tips, and other sources of nitrogen are better for this purpose. Dilute the fertilizer in the water first, and use milder solution that the one that is recommended. Make sure that this solution doesn't touch the leaves.
The best temperature is in between 70 and 80 degrees during day, and over 60 during nights. If you are buying the plant, check the roots first. Healthy roots should be silver-green with green tops. If they are brown, the plant was probably over-watered, and if they are hard and brittle, under-watered. The plant may be saved if you trim those squishy roots and re-pot the phal, but the one with brittle roots might not be saved.
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You can find details about different types of moth orchids and more info about a reputable orchid company at http://www.justourorchids.com/about right now.
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