Caring for Your Phalaenopsis Orchid by June Morgan
Also called a “moth orchid”, phalaenopsis are probably the most available orchids in garden centers and grocery stores and are often given as gifts. Relatively inexpensive, they will bloom for weeks with a minimum of care and watering. However, the blooms eventually dry and fall off leaving a tall bare spike and air roots outside the pot. What to do?
Up until then, the plants have probably done nicely in any indoor area in which the blooms could be enjoyed and the light is sufficient to keep the leaves a bright but not deep green. First, remove most of the stalk by using a sterilized instrument to cut it down to just above the second node or all of the way down. If the orchid came in a small plastic pot, it probably should be re-potted. Otherwise, it should not require a new pot until every one to two years. Special orchid pots are available with drainage and root holes on the sides as well as the bottom. Orchids like to be root bound so the new pot should be only slightly larger than the old.
To re-pot, remove the plant from the old container, and with your fingers, take out the old potting medium from the roots. Cut away any shriveled, rotten or blackened roots, both aerial and bottom ones. Put the plant into the new pot and fill it in with new potting mixture specially designated for orchids and which can be found in most garden centers. Place in a spot that gets indirect sun with no glare and some humidity. Indoors, a kitchen or bathroom location is good with a pebble-filled tray beneath. In some climates, hanging them from a tree in summer works, but the extremes of Texas temperatures would be sure death.
Phalaenopsis should be fertilized about once weekly using water with no softening agent. Once a month, drench the pot over a sink in order to leach out the accumulated salts. It might take weeks to see new growth after re-potting. If the orchid is not doing well – deep green or light colored leaves, or not showing signs of a new stalk or roots, try adjusting the location or light source such as using shades for glare or Gro-lights for more light. While an orchid greenhouse can offer a specialized environment of light, temperature and humidity, it will probably limit itself for other uses, plus having the expense of year-round climate control. Indoor orchids can provide showy blooms even in winter and are a joy to see unfold.
If successful with these relatively easy to grow orchids, the gardener might be tempted to try other varieties, of which there are more than 750 genera and thousands of hybrids. Many websites such as The American Orchid Society are available with videos that have much information needed to explore this delightful and rewarding field.