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Phalaenopsis Orchid Care by Brandy Jones
Phalaenopsis Orchids Phalaenopsis orchids, or phals for short as they are often called, are
the most common orchids found at the Cathedral Greenhouse. We receive
weekly shipments in an array of colors. Their graceful arching spikes
filled with a series of moth like blooms add an architectural appeal to
any room. The Phalaenopsis are enticing to buy and can give you years
of blooms if taken care of properly. The following information will
help you and your orchid! Light Requirements The most important part of successful orchid care is lighting. Phals are low light orchids requiring about 1-2 hours of direct sun. These orchids can take more light if it is indirect. For example, a phal will do fine in front of a south facing window with a sheer curtain to diffuse the light or if set further into a room where it will receive bright indirect light. Temperature is also important. Phalaenopsis don’t like it cold! They need the nighttime temperature to stay above 60 degrees. The low light requirement and warm temperature requirement make it is easy to see why phals are well suited to household conditions. When to Water Watering is the most difficult part of orchid care. There is no schedule to follow when it comes to watering due to different environmental conditions such as light, humidity, and wind. Most often when purchasing your orchid at the Greenhouse, it will be in a moss based planting medium. This medium should be moist to the touch when you stick your finger into it. If the medium feels dry, your orchid needs to be watered. If the medium is soaking wet, your orchid does not need to be watered and should be let to dry out for as long as it takes. One common trick is to use a short bamboo stake. Stick the stake into the pot taking care not to damage any roots as you insert the stake. Every few days remove the stake to see how it looks. If it is damp, your orchid does not need to be watered. If it is dry or drying out it is time for a trip to the sink. With some practice you will be able to pick up your orchid and tell by its weight if it needs water or not. How to Water This leads us to how to water your orchid. If your orchid is in the usual moss-medium we have the phals in here at the Greenhouse you can simply use a small watering can and pour a small amount onto your medium until it becomes moist again. This type of planting medium retains a lot of moisture and allows watering to be done in this manner. If the orchid is in another medium we use here, such as orchid bark, a different approach should be taken. This type of medium does not retain much moisture and allows the water to run through quite quickly. Take your orchid over to the sink. Using luke-warm water, run the faucet continually over the medium allowing the water to run through continuously for about 10-20 seconds. The special root tissue called velum in the orchids roots will quickly absorb all the moisture the orchid will need. Getting Your Orchid to Rebloom As said previously, orchids are light driven. They will not bloom if they do not get enough sunlight. If your phal is not reblooming for you, first try to change the light situation. Most often it is not getting enough light. Remember that phals need 1-2 hours of direct sun. If the sun is indirect or diffused it will need much more. Orchids that do not rebloom often need a cool down period. This is at least a 10-degree difference in day and night time temperatures. This can be achieved by keeping the room your orchid is growing in warmer during the day and cooler at night. Putting your phal outside at night may also help as long as the temperature does not drop too low. The maximum day temperature for phals is about 90 degrees and the minimum night temperature is 60 degrees. Lastly darkness plays a role in the production of flower spikes. Phals require a steady cycle of total darkness. A trick is to try covering your orchid with a dark colored, lightweight cloth that won’t allow any light through from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. With luck, a spike will develop and you can remove the cloth and continue under normal light conditions. After your Orchid has bloomed and the last of the blossoms have faded, the flower spike can be cut back all the way at the base of the plant where it originally started to grow from. It is normal for your orchid to go through a rest period after the flower spike is removed. Just be patient and give your orchid the right care and it will rebloom for you again. Don’t get discouraged! Some orchids take months to rebloom. Eventually, at the base of the orchid swelling will begin and a new flower spike will emerge from this area. Greenhouse orchids are $19.95–$27.95 and shipments are received regularly. Call ahead to see what is available this week at (202) 537-6263 or e-mail us at vine@cathedral.org Orchid Repotting Service The Greenhouse also offers a repotting service for orchids. Purchase the orchid bark medium and we will repot your orchid free-of-charge! You may choose to use your own orchid pot or purchase one from the variety offered at the Greenhouse. Cathedral Greenhouse Orchid Rescue Program If getting your orchid to rebloom is not your cup of tea, don’t throw it away! The Greenhouse will gratefully accept your donation. |
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