How to care for Phalaenopsis orchids
An introduction to caring for Phalaenopsis orchids and sharing the best planting methods for green plants and flowers, next, let's learn about it together.
Phalaenopsis orchids are perennial herbaceous plants with a flowering period from February to April every year. They are loved by people for their butterfly-like flowers, beautiful colors, and elegant posture. As one of the best-selling flowers during the New Year and Spring Festival, they are highly sought after by flower enthusiasts. Placed in the living room, balcony, study, and other areas of the home, they appear noble, elegant, and luxurious; placed on the windowsill, dining table, or coffee table, they look graceful and dignified. So, how can we grow Phalaenopsis orchids well at home? What issues should be considered? Today, let's share the care methods and precautions that need to be known during the home potting care process of Phalaenopsis orchids.
1. Selection of planting soil. The soil for growing Phalaenopsis orchids should be made of loose, breathable, fertile, and water-permeable bark, moss, and snake wood chips as the cultivation substrate. The bark and snake wood chips must be fully fermented and matured before use. To maintain the fertility and breathability of the potting soil, Phalaenopsis orchids need to change the potting soil once a year. The pot for planting Phalaenopsis orchids can be 15-20 centimeters in diameter.
2. Requirements for temperature and light. Since Phalaenopsis orchids belong to the tropical high-temperature orchid genus and prefer warm temperatures but are not cold-tolerant, the suitable growth temperature is between 18-30 degrees. When the temperature in winter is lower than 15 degrees, they enter a dormant state, and the leaves start to turn yellow and fall off; below 10 degrees, the entire plant can easily die. However, too high temperatures are also not good, as 35 degrees will affect the normal growth of Phalaenopsis orchids. They prefer bright diffused light and dislike direct strong light and sun exposure. When flowering, bright diffused light is needed for Phalaenopsis orchids, otherwise, the flower buds will not open easily. However, too much light can easily burn the leaves, especially in the summer, when leaves can turn yellow after being exposed to sunlight for 2-3 hours. If there is insufficient light for a long time, the plant will grow thin and weak, the leaves will be tender, the flower stem will elongate, and the flower color will be dull and lack luster. Therefore, it is best to grow Phalaenopsis orchids in bright diffused light.
3. Precautions for watering and fertilizing. Phalaenopsis orchids prefer humidity and dislike dryness, drought, or waterlogging. In normal maintenance, the soil should be slightly moist, and watering should follow the principle of not watering when dry and watering thoroughly when watering, especially in the hot summer. While keeping the soil moist, the plant should also be sprayed with water to increase the humidity in the air. When fertilizing Phalaenopsis orchids, apply thin fertilizer frequently and avoid using thick or raw fertilizer, which can easily burn and rot the roots. In late spring and early summer, when Phalaenopsis orchids grow new roots and leaves, fertilize with nitrogen-potassium fertilizer once a week. In the summer, fertilizing is slightly less, and in the autumn, fertilize every half month. Before flowering, to promote the formation of flower buds and buds, apply phosphorus-potassium fertilizers such as monopotassium phosphate and dipotassium phosphate. After entering the flowering period, fertilizing should be stopped.
How to care for Phalaenopsis orchids
4. How to prune Phalaenopsis orchids. After Phalaenopsis orchids finish flowering, withered flowers should be removed as soon as possible to avoid affecting the opening of other flowers. After all the flowers have faded, cut off the flower stem and continue to water and fertilize well to store sufficient nutrients for the next flowering period. The inflorescence of Phalaenopsis orchids is long, the flowers are large, and the flower stem is tall. To prevent the flower stem from falling over and affecting the ornamental value, it should be tied with a支柱.
5. How to prevent and control pest infestations. Common diseases of Phalaenopsis orchids include leaf spot disease, root rot disease, and anthracnose, which can be controlled by spraying and drenching with a 1000-fold solution of methyl thiophanate or sterilizing cleaner.
The above is the introduction to how to care for Phalaenopsis orchids and share the best planting methods, which can be used as a reference and suggestion.