How to Care for Phalaenopsis Orchids During Blooming Period
Today, I will explain in detail how to care for Phalaenopsis orchids during their blooming period and share knowledge about the maintenance and management of green plants and flowers. Let's take a look together!
Phalaenopsis orchids are very elegant flowering plants with beautiful flowers and an extremely long blooming period. There are many varieties with high ornamental value, although the price per plant is relatively expensive. They also require special growth conditions, including very high air humidity.
With proper care, most varieties of Phalaenopsis orchids can bloom for more than two months. However, even the longest blooming period eventually comes to an end. Many orchid enthusiasts do not know how to care for their Phalaenopsis orchids after blooming, leading to common issues such as root rot, yellow leaves, and even plant death.
So, how should we care for Phalaenopsis orchids after blooming? Let's discuss this with fellow orchid enthusiasts, hoping it will be helpful for those in need.
1. Pruning After Blooming.
The flower spike of Phalaenopsis orchids has a certain degree of continuity. What does this mean? It means that the tip of a Phalaenopsis orchid flower spike may continue to grow upwards and continue to develop flower buds. Therefore, when pruning the spent flowers, it's best not to cut off the entire flower spike all at once.
The correct method is to first cut off the spent flowers at the bottom of the flower spike. Strengthen daily maintenance and apply moderate amounts of fertilizer. The flower spike may continue to grow upwards and differentiate into flower buds, potentially extending the blooming period by another half to one month.
Only when there are no signs of further growth at the top of the flower spike, or when the environmental temperature has become too high, above 30°C, should you cut off the flower spike from the base to promote normal growth of the plant.
2. Changing the Planting Substrate.
Most Phalaenopsis orchids sold in the market are planted in sphagnum moss, which will gradually decompose during the care process. Generally, after one to two years, the sphagnum moss will completely decompose. If not replaced, the decomposed moss has poor air permeability and increased water retention, which is not conducive to the growth of the orchid's roots.
After the Phalaenopsis orchid has finished blooming, it's best to check the condition of the planting moss. If it's mostly decomposed, it needs to be replaced promptly. The new moss should be washed in clean water and soaked for about a day to ensure it's free of impurities and has absorbed sufficient moisture.
When changing the moss for Phalaenopsis orchids, be gentle to avoid damaging the roots as much as possible. Also, be careful not to wrap the aerial roots in moss, allowing them to remain exposed naturally without trying to turn them into adventitious roots.
How to Care for Phalaenopsis Orchids During Blooming Period
3. Suitable Growing Environment.
After the blooming period, whether or not you change the planting substrate, the care environment should be maintained. Avoid direct sunlight and provide bright, diffused light. Phalaenopsis orchids require a high humidity level in their small growing environment, which should be at least 60% or higher. Dry air makes it difficult for Phalaenopsis orchids to grow well.
In daily maintenance, increasing the humidity of the small environment is a top priority. Regularly misting with water is the simplest and most effective method, especially in summer and winter when there is heating indoors.
4. Reasonable Water and Fertilizer Management.
Phalaenopsis orchids enjoy a moist growing environment, but their roots also require a high amount of oxygen. This means that the roots cannot be soaked in water for extended periods. The planting substrate should have moisture but not too much water, and sphagnum moss is good at solving this issue.
After watering the Phalaenopsis orchids, the moss absorbs a lot of water and does not easily release it. Therefore, after the moss has absorbed enough water, gently squeeze it to let out excess water. Be careful not to injure the roots. This step is often overlooked by many orchid enthusiasts and is a common reason for root rot.
The frequency of watering Phalaenopsis orchids is not very important. You can water them when the moss is dry, or even if it's not dry, watering and performing the above operation won't be a problem. Maintaining the moss's air permeability is crucial.
Phalaenopsis orchids are sensitive to fertilizer, and even slightly higher concentrations can be difficult for them to tolerate. When fertilizing Phalaenopsis orchids, be extra careful. A safe approach is to add a small amount of nutrient solution to the water each time you water, with the concentration so low that it's barely detectable.
The type of fertilizer given to Phalaenopsis orchids after blooming should aim for comprehensive nutrition, usually a water-soluble multi-element compound fertilizer. Concentration control is essential. After autumn, a small amount of potassium dihydrogen phosphate can be added to the water to promote bud differentiation.
Summary: In a suitable environment, Phalaenopsis orchids are relatively easy to care for. Many orchid enthusiasts have difficulty for three main reasons: insufficient humidity, excessive or insufficient light, and not knowing how to fertilize. Mastering these three points makes it easier to keep Phalaenopsis orchids alive and healthy.
The above information is about how to care for Phalaenopsis orchids during their blooming period and the specific contents of their maintenance and management, for everyone's reference and operation.