Phalaenopsis Orchids are widely cultivated orchids which give attractive flowers in various colour pattern. It is considered that if a person grows Phalaenopsis and makes it flower successfully that person has mastered the art of growing orchids. Phalaenopsis orchid grower should be a keen observer, following are the most important facts to watch while growing Phalaenopsis.

Observe the Leaf

The leaf can give you a fair idea about the health of the plant, the good plant will have a bright green leaf, mature leaf at the bottom may turn yellow or dry it is normal, if you find more than one leaf at a time in yellow colour or within a week it is a bad symptom. This may be due to various other reasons like dryness,root rot,over watering, nutrient deficiency etc .

Observe Root

Examine root health frequently, for this it is advisable to grow plants in transparent pots. The healthy root will be silver greenish-white colour , if any colour changes to brown or black you have to find out the reason for it, this can be due to overwatering, dryness, fungal attack.

Media

Phalaenopsis are grown in coconut husk chips, moss, charcoal, and a mixture of all three. The media should have enough water holding capacity with proper air circulation. Gower has to ensure proper drainage as well, at any point in time it should not hold the water in a pot.

Light

Phalaenopsis prefer shade to grow, it can’t grow in direct sunlight, it performs well in indirect light or 50 % light. It can be grown in indoor space where natural indirect light is available. If natural sunlight is not available artificial growing light can be used.

Temperature

It grows well in the temperature range between 17 to 32oC, They prefer a temperature in the middle of this range ie between 25 to 28oC.

Humidity

Phalaenopsis are humidity-loving orchids it prefers a range of humidity between 50 to 100%. The optimum range is between 70 to 80%.To ensure humidity it is better to keep water-filled tanks in the growing area.

Watering Phalaenopsis Orchid

Water can be a hero or villain in the case of Phalaenopsis unless you carefully water the plant it will adversely affect the plant.

While you water the plant care is to be taken not to water the plant over the leaf and flowers, waterlogging over the crown will cause the rotting of leaf and flower and even death of the plant. Please don’t pour or mist the water over the plant due to above said reason.

How to know the time of watering

See the moisture by touching with a finger or take plant pot and see the weight of pot by guess, then water the plant. A fixed schedule of watering in the case of Phalaenopsis will not work.

How to Water

Watering has to be done to the rooting medium without touching leaves and flowers. Ensure proper drainage of water, do not allow water to log in the pot at any point in time.

Fertilizer Application for Phalaenopsis Orchid

Give fertilizer in the liquid form use organic and inorganic fertilizer. For the best result, it is better to use inorganic fertilizer do not use organic fertilizer during the monsoon as it can cause a fungal attack.

For vegetative growth use fertilizer rich in Nitrogen(N) a recommend N P K ratio is 30:10:10, for the flowering use Phosphorous(P) and Potash(K) rich fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10:30:30.

Application is given once a week

Fungus

The fungus can cause serious damage to plants,it can be prevented by the application of fungicide observing the plants’ need. During the rainy season, it is recommended to apply fungicide in every 10 days.

Conclusion

Phalaenopsis are very sensitive plants there is every chance for the initial fiasco, but once you overcome these you will enjoy the best result from the plants. Phalaenopsis need much closer attention, it needs a bright indoor place, like a place near window, pergola, or other sunny areas inside the house but it hates direct sunlight. Water them observing the plants need, most of the Phalaenopsis die due to overwatering, water the plant in the root zone never water the plant on leaves or flowers. Use a well-draining transparent pot. Never allow water to log in the pot or media. Apply water-soluble fertilizer once in a week Nitrogen(N) rich for vegetative growth Phosphorus(P) and Potash(K) rich for flowering.