Phalaenopsis flowers (Orchids) are a species of herbaceous plants of the Orchid family, Vandaceae, native to the rainforests of Australia, Southeast Asia and the Philippines. Phalaenopsis orchids are mostly epiphytes as they grow on trees, but sometimes they also grow on rocks. The first phalaenopsis was discovered on an island in the Moluccas by Georg Rumph, a German naturalist, but the flower got its name from Karl Blum, director of the Leiden Botanical Garden, who looked at the exotic orchid through binoculars and picked up a butterfly, so he called it phalaenopsis – “moth-like”. To this day, florists call these flowers “butterfly orchids”. The genus Phalaenopsis has about seventy species.

How to care for an orchid flower?

The main topic of orchid care concerns watering, feeding, temperature control and protection against pests and diseases. It is best to place the pot of the Phalaenopsis plant on a windowsill facing west, east or northeast. If you cannot place the plant on the south side, place it on the table next to a window behind a curtain in the shade. If the orchid sees direct sunlight, it will cause burns on the plant, which look like spots on the leaves and flowers. Every 2-3 weeks, rotate the plant 180º so that it does not lean to one side. However, it is best not to disturb the plant during bud formation.

To obtain a more abundant and luxuriant flowering, it is recommended to fertilize after the first four waterings, but no more than once every 2 weeks. After watering, place the pot with the orchid in a container of soft water with liquid (half dose) or dry fertilizer (no more than 1-1.5 g per liter). Phalaenopsis can be fed all year round, except when the plant is sick or has just been transplanted.

The colors of orchid flowers: The flower stems are long, curved and the butterfly flowers are arranged in panicles. The variety of colors is striking: purple, lilac, white, yellow, yellow, green and red, brown… Often the flower is distinguished by monochrome or striped varieties of the petals, which are in contrasting colors.

How often to water an orchid flower?

Should you water a flowering orchid? How do I know if the orchid needs water? How to water an orchid in a pot? Use soft water at room temperature for watering. To soften the water, either boil it or soak it overnight in citric acid. In the latter case, the water is also acidified, which is important. Softened water that has settled for a day should not be used to the end, as it can leave traces of salt at the bottom. Water with a high iron content is dangerous for orchids. Water the plants with a watering can, moving it in a thin stream over the entire surface of the substrate until water starts to come out of the drainage holes. The water accumulated in the tray should be drained and the watering and draining process repeated. Make sure that water does not enter the leaf axils or the growth point. If this happens, it should be wiped off with a cloth.

Do orchids like sunlight? How much lighting do orchids need? What color light do orchids need? Do orchids need direct sunlight? Phalaenopsis plants need a well-lit, warm place without direct sunlight to grow comfortably. These plants also thrive in good artificial light. Caution: If there is a lack of light, the buds may fall off.

What kind of soil do orchids need? Do I need special soil for orchids? Can you use any soil for orchids? Larch bark is even better – it is more durable. But it dries out very quickly, so it is recommended to add sphagnum moss in a 1: 1 ratio – it retains water for a long time, and also has bactericidal properties and protects the roots from rot.

Do orchids need moisture?

What conditions does an orchid need? Do orchids like moist or dry soil? Orchids like moist air. To increase humidity, trays of moist gravel can be placed next to the plants. Spraying 2-3 times on a hot day will help, most importantly with the best spray so that the water settles on the leaves as a mist. Be careful that the water does not come into contact with the flowers. The treatment is best done in the morning so that the phalaenopsis has time to dry out by evening. Orchids can be washed periodically (2-3 times a month) in the shower to remove dust and unwanted microorganisms from the leaves.

How much heat does the orchid need?

How cold is too cold for orchids? Where should I put the orchid in my house? Is the orchid good in the heat? The optimum temperature for this plant is around 4°C between day and night. To achieve this, turn on a fan at night in summer to lower the temperature and limit the heat from radiators in winter. It should also be taken into account that Phalaenopsis can get sick if the night temperature drops below 16°C. The maximum daytime temperature should not exceed 32°C. The most comfortable growing temperature is 20-25°C.

Can you propagate an orchid from a flower? How do you start an orchid from the beginning? Can you grow a new orchid from a stem? This orchid species is mainly propagated by offspring, which are side shoots that form on a stem or flower stalk. The offspring mostly appear in summer due to the increased temperature and humidity. For replanting, shoots with their own 5-7 cm long roots are removed from the mother plant and transplanted into small pots filled with orchid substrate. How to care for orchids >>

Orchid flower diseases?

What causes holes in orchid leaves? How do spider mites appear on orchids? If the plant is kept in dry air, it can be infested with lime infestation. Phalaenopsis can suffer from rotting of the roots due to flooding. Overdrying of the substrate causes the leaves to droop, thin and wrinkle. Phalaenopsis does not tolerate drafts; strong drafts will stop flowering and cause buds to drop.