Phalaenopsis orchids are one of the most popular flowering plants that people send or buy on different occasions, like:
• A house-warming gift to make a spot or place nicer and bring part of the nature at home,
• A congratulatory gift for a new home, business, fresh start or for a newlywed couple,
• A birthday or anniversary gift to send best wishes,
• A Funeral and Sympathy gift to send your thoughts and support for a family who loss their loved one.
Whatever the reason or occasion is, this flower brings long lasting joy, happiness and peace.
This type of orchid does not need direct sun, or hot spots. They need to be placed under a bright spot and you need to avoid moving this plant around.
Nutrition:
Moth orchids need their own specific nutrition and preferably once a month. For the most detailed information of how to add it or mix it, you can read the label of your orchid nutrition to have a more accurate instruction.
Watering:
Watering can seem a bit tricky or difficult but if you learn how to do it, with all these following information, you will be able to master how to take care of orchids.
Depending on your home or place temperature you need to water your orchids approximately once a week or every 10 days. The hotter the place is, the more often you will have to water your orchids.
You must be wondering “how do I know if it is the right time for watering my orchids?”
Generally speaking, you can know it by knowing the weight of the pot: If it is light it means it is time to water your orchid flowers and if it is heavy, it means, you will have to wait.
The other way is putting one of your fingers a bit down in the pot to feel whether the wood chips is wet. If it is dry or a little bit wet: it is time for watering and If it is very wet: you will have to wait for a few days.
“How do I water my orchid”?
At first, you will need to see if you Orchid is replaced from its own plastic pot to a ceramic,glass or wooden pot. If the pot has been replaced to a pot or container and that there is No hole at the bottom, then you have two options:
Pot without bottom holes:
-Watering with ice cubes: Based on the number of your orchid plant, you will need to adapt the amount of ice cubes. For each orchid, you need at least 5-6 ice cubes. Put the ice cubes all over the plant base.
-If you don’t have ice cubes, that is totally fine! You can water it in 2 steps, first, slowly pour half of a glass of water all around the plant and then wait for approximately 20 minutes and slowly pour less than a glass of water again all around the plant.
“Why should I use ice cubes or water my plant in 2 steps?”
All plants prefer fresh cold water and ice cubes melt little by little and let the plants slowly absorb more cold water. When the soil of plants gets very dry, the water get drained quickly so, the water will not have enough water to survive.
With these watering techniques, less water will sit at the bottom of the pot and more water will be absorbed by the plant. Sitting roots in water or overwatering can damage the roots and can kill your plant.
Pot with bottom holes:
The bottom holes make your work much easier with a peace of mind. You can still use ice cubes and water the orchids in 2 steps but if you water it with more than a glass, it will be fine as the rest of the water will be drained through the holes and can be thrown away.
• An easy way to do is having the orchid pot in the sink and water it, it is better to water it 2 times and after it gets drain put it back in its pot.
• The other way is putting the pot in a bowl or its glass or ceramic container and make it full of water. Let the orchid sits in water for about 20-30 minutes then take the container out, so that the water is drained and throw out the rest of water and put the orchid back to its pot.
“What should I do when the orchid’s blooms fall off?”
It is a moment that everyone will face after awhile. And, don’t worry! It’s not a bad news and your plant is not dead! It is only because, It is going to another phase of its life that is called “hibernation”. It is taking a rest and is saving its energy to re- bloom the next year.
Phalaenopsis orchids re-bloom once a year and If you like to keep your orchid and seeing it bloom again, you need to do a few things to help your plant bloom again!
Trimming the spikes: Trimming spikes can be stressful for someone who does it for the fist time, but don’t worry! With trimming, you are help your plant to save more energy and rest a bit to bloom the next year.
“How do I trim my flowers?”
1. Find the spikes: some orchids have one spike, and some have 2 spikes, see if they are healthy or not. Healthy spikes are firm and green and unhealthy are yellow or brown.
2. Get a Sharp and clean blade: You need to use a clean and sterilized blade. For this matter you can wash your knife, or scissor with soap and hot water or you can sterilize with alcohol flam or put it over the stove.
3. Trim: To help your plant bloom next year it is better to cut the spikes. If the spikes are unhealthy it is better to cut them from the base of the plant. For cutting the healthy spikes you have two choices:
• Find a node on the lowest flower and trim about 1 inch above that node.
• Find the node at the base of the plant and trim 1 inch above that. Many Orchid growers recommend this option because blooming from the same spike more than once can exhaust your plant and damage the leaves and harm your plant. By trimming from the base, the orchid will have a new spike to bloom from.
Note that, It is better to keep the orchid plants in a cool temperature during its hibernation to stimulate re-blooming
“Why my orchid plant doesn’t bloom after a year?”
Not enough light might be main reason of failure to bloom. You can know it by looking at the colour leaves. Grassy light green leaves in orchids is a sign of sufficient light.
If you need any more flower tips or a flower arrangement, feel free to contact Green Garden Florist, your number one quality flower company in Toronto! Our floral team will be glad to prepare bright birthday bouquets, elegant wedding arrangements or stunning flower arrangements for any occasion!
