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Phalaenopsis Orchid Care Made Easy for The Avid Enthusiast

Jun6

Phalaenopsis orchids are one of the most common flowers among many enthusiasts since they happen to be much easier to grow. If you are looking for one that will produce beautiful and amazing blooms every single year then you will want to grow these extraordinary flowers.

Although these plants maybe much easier to grow than any other of its species, there are some simple basics to cultivating these plants that you will need to acquire to get the most amazing and colorful blooms in your neighborhood.

Looking For These Plants Under a Different Name

Sometimes if you try looking for these flowers in garden shops you may not see them because they are usually under a different name. Most enthusiasts call them “Moth Orchids” because of the shape of its flowers and resemble the wings of a moth.

You can find these plants in most greenhouses as well as garden outlets because they are the most commonly grown flower that many beginners tend to start with and for good reason. It’s always good to start out with an easy plant and once you gain the proper knowledge that is needed, then you can then move on to more difficult ones.

Humidity Levels

Every type including these require an adequate amount of humidity. They are normally found among rain forests where the humidity is very high and this is what they need to thrive correctly.

Make sure that the environment you place them in has at least 80% humidity levels for exact care that these flowers need. During the summer months you shouldn’t have to add any humidity in the atmosphere, but when the cold dry months come around this may be a different story. Using a humidifier is one way to increase moisture in the air.

If you don’t have a humidifier you can use a tray that has stones or gravel and then place water in the tray making sure the gravel is not being covered. Place your plants on top and this will enhance the moisture in the air. Use this strategy to reach the appropriate moisture levels that are needed.

Sunlight

All orchids cannot withstand too much direct sunlight and Phalaenopsis flowers are no different. You need to make sure that your flowers are not exposed to direct sunlight for too long. If you are placing your plants in the window sill it is recommended to place a cloth in front of them to filter out much of the bright sunshine.

If you don’t have any windows or enough sunlight in your home you can always use artificial light. The best types of artificial light are fluorescent light bulbs. These will not allow your leaves to get burned and will give them the proper amount of light needed for healthy plants.

Temperature

Temperature is another critical element in phalaenopsis care and needs to be used efficiently in order for your plants to flourish. The temperature that your moth orchids must be exposed to is 70 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are placing your flowers outside you need to make certain that the temperature does not fall below 60 degrees.

Phalaenopsis care requires that you don’t expose them to temperature lower than 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep your plants in their proper temperature ranges and you will have beautiful blooms in no time.

Watering

The most important element to any type of plant including these is watering. Over-watering and under-watering these plants should be avoided when caring for them. They will tolerate dry conditions much more than wet or damp conditions. To make sure that your plants are not too damp you can dry out the medium so that the top of the soil is dry to the touch.

Once this occurs you can then apply a small amount of water to keep the soil moist but not damp. During the winter time it may take a while for the soil to dry so you can do less frequent watering of these flowers. Using this watering technique can ultimately produce beautiful and wonderful flowers that will last for years to come.

Moth Orchids You Can Start Growing Today

Jun6

Moth orchids are probably one of the best flowers that all beginners should start growing when they begin this very enjoyable hobby. If you are looking for any easy one that will bloom when it is supposed to then these are the perfect flowers that you should look into growing.

They are some of the most popular types of orchids that are found everywhere and there are thousands of different species that you can choose from as well. If you want to learn all about these interesting plants then you should read the rest of this article so you can get all the information that you need about these incredible plants.

Origins

Since most found throughout the world are located in hot and humid places it wouldn’t be a surprise that moth orchids also known as Phalaenopsis are found in similar habitats. They are normally located in regions of Indonesia and the Himalayan Mountains.

As its name suggests when they are fully bloomed which you will see when you start to grow them with the proper care they look like the wings of a moth. They come in a variety of colors including white, purple, pink, and many others depending on the species that you happen to purchase.

Lighting Requirements

Growing these amazing flowers doesn’t have to be difficult with the correct amount of knowledge that you need to know about these flowers. The first thing that you need to know about is the right sunlight that you will need to provide them. They are flowers that should not be exposed to sunlight that is directly shining on their leaves.

Burns or other damage could appear on these plants and this is not healthy for any type of flower. Try using some shade that could block some sunlight that will not be needed and you can also use fluorescent lights for these plants as well.

Watering

There are some basic strategies that you will need to use to know when the proper time is to water these plants. When it comes to these flowers saturating them is something that should be done carefully and correctly. You should try not to over-water them since this is unfortunately the number one reason why beginners kill these plants.

It is very tempting to moisten them when they don’t look that good, but sometimes it is because they are already watered too much. Try letting the plant medium to dry out a little bit before you begin to water them again. Keep an eye on them and when the soil begins to dry out too much start irrigating them again. During some of the cooler months you will not have to water them as much which is something important for you to know.

Humidity Is the Key

The main element that most are deprived from in many beginners’ homes is the amount of humidity they need. This is something that can easily be added to your plants by just placing a tray with water and gravel underneath them without having to purchase a humidifier.

Use a hydrometer to measure the amount in the air and make sure it is between 60-80% humidity. This is how you can get your moth orchids to bloom and thrive for years to come.