How to Care for your Phalaenopsis Orchid

Unlike some of their exotic cousins, Phalaenopsis orchids are super easy to care for requiring a minimal amount of care in return for months of enjoyment!

Water Requirements

The number 1 rule in Phalaenopsis orchid care is DO NOT OVER WATER! Over watering is the most common cause of death for these tropical beauties and by far the easiest to control. In nature Phalaenopsis orchids attach their roots to trees and rocks and absorb their nutrition from the decomposition of other organisms sharing the same habitat. What this means is they don’t like getting their feet wet. An easy way to manage the water requirement of your Phalaenopsis orchid is to simply place two ice cubes per 4” pot on top of the roots and let Mother Nature do the rest. If you notice the roots on your orchid are beginning to shrivel up place the pot in your sink and water until you see the water running through the bottom of pot. If your orchid came in a container without drainage try adding two ice cubes twice a week until the roots begin to look full and silvery green again.

Light and Temperature Requirements

Phalaenopsis Orchids love sunlight in an indirect kind of way - thus your new botanical buddy will be happiest in a bright and sunny location that receives indirect sunlight with a temperature between 65 – 75 degrees F. Although I have to admit I keep Phalaenopsis orchids in my home year round and have never paid any attention to temperature. It seems to me they pretty much like what I like in that department but then again I live in the South so there really isn’t all that much fluctuation year round in regards to temperature.

Fertilizer

Like any house plant your Phalaenopsis orchid will benefit from regular fertilizing. You can find good orchid fertilizers at upscale nurseries or you can order it online from orchid specialists. If neither of these options are convenient you can use regular house plant fertilizers diluted to half strength. Fertilizing won’t extend the current bloom cycle of your orchid but it will help it to produce large showy blooms in its next go round.

What to do when your Orchid is done Blooming?

Once your orchid is through blooming, remove the flower spike entirely by clipping it off at the base of the plant. Withered stems won't produce flowers. Removing the stem will direct the plant's energy toward root development, which makes for a healthier plant and increased chances for new bloom spikes.

Phalaenopsis orchids typically flower once a year. To identify a new bloom spike, look for roots that are growing upwards with glossy green points, rather than round tips. Once a bloom spike appears, increase fertilizing to every other week and support the stem with a stake as it grows.