Phalaenopsis orchid is a group of species of a perennial plant that belong to the family of orchids, known as “Orchidaceae”.
These orchids are characterized by their monopodial epiphytes or lithophytic herb nature, with leafy short stems and coarse roots that are relatively long.
The plant is originally native to regions around Southeast Asia( especially the Philippines and Indonesia), China, Taiwan, and India as well as Australia, New Guinea.
The botanical name of the plant is “Phalaenopsis amabilis”, which is pronounced [ fay-lay-NOP-sis a-MAH-bih-liss]. However, the plant is known commonly as the “moth orchid”, which is the name of the most popular species of the plant.
In today’s article, we’ll walk you through a brief Phalaenopsis Orchid care guide. Let’s dive right in!
Phalaenopsis Orchid Care
Size & Growth
As previously mentioned, the plant exists in a wide range of species and varieties, which is why the size of the mature phalaenopsis orchid can range anywhere from 8” to 36” inches. As for the width, the plant can be about 12” inches wide.
Orchids are pretty fast and can grow significantly in a matter of a few months, especially when provided with the optimal conditions and nutrition for growth.
Flowering and Fragrance
As a perennial plant, the phalaenopsis orchid blooms once a year, which is usually around the late months of the winter all the way through the early spring (about 2 to 3 months).
After the flower of the orchid has bloomed, the new cycle will start and the flower will eventually fall off in preparation for the blooming of the next cycle.
In addition to blooming for a long time, the flower is usually brightly colored and comes in a variety of colors, including white, purple, and yellow.
Light & Temperature
Phalaenopsis orchids should never be exposed to direct sunlight because the leaves are usually prone to be scorched. Instead, you should keep them in a lightly shaded room. Outdoors, the orchid will survive if planted under deciduous plants with plenty of shade.
Orchids are native to areas with a higher average temperature throughout the year. For that reason, the ideal temperature to keep them at is anywhere between 70° to 85° degrees Fahrenheit (21° to 29° degrees Celsius). Yet, the plants can easily adapt to room temperature.
Watering and Feeding
Orchids don’t need excessive water, as you need to allow the potting soil to dry out before giving it more water to prevent rotting.
This typically takes around 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the amount of light that the plant gets per day.
As for feeding, you might need to use a weak orchid fertilizer one a week during the active season and reduce it to once a month during dormancy season.
Soil & Transplanting
The plant needs a relatively acidic to neutral soil with a pH range of 6.5 to 7.0. The solid should be a well drained one with a bark-like structure for optimal growth. However, the plant may survive in sphagnum moss for a few years (until its roots start growing).
Grooming And Maintenance
After the plant flowers, you might want to prune the plant by cutting the stem above the growing node but never beneath it to avoid killing the plant.
How To Propagate Phalaenopsis Orchid
You can use cutting to propagate a phalaenopsis orchid, although the process may vary from one species to the other, and the process can be a bit tricky.
Ideally, you can do it by cutting through the orchid’s bracts to uncover the growing buds by pulling back on the bud cover using a sterilized tweezer and a knife.
After that, add a rooting hormone to the bud and close it. Allow the plant to grow roots until it reaches about 2” to 3” inches, then separate it from the original orchid’s step and plant it in a new pot.
Phalaenopsis Orchid Pests Or Diseases
Orchids often attract insects to their surroundings and can develop several diseases due to pests around them.
For example, the mealybugs, spider mites, scales, and aphids are among the most common pests that can attack the plant, causing a wide variety of symptoms, such as the distorted and discolored appearance of the leaves.
The orchids can also develop multiple symptoms due to bacterial and fungal attacks. These infections can cause a foul smell and discolored leaves (bacterial) or spotty leaves (fungal).
Suggested Phalaenopsis Orchid Uses
Since the phalaenopsis orchid thrives in a relatively warm and shady environment, it’s often considered an ideal houseplant. Not only that, but it’s one of the orchids that are relatively safe and non-toxic to humans.
Since the plant releases moisture into the surroundings as it breathes naturally, it can actually help with the reduced humidity levels during the winter months.
The orchid acts as a natural humidifier that helps in reducing skin and lips dryness and flakiness.
Moreover, the extra moisture in low humidity conditions helps in the relief of sore throats and dry coughs in common colds.