Are you unsure how to care for a Phalaenopsis orchid? If you have recently purchased or been fortunate enough to receive one of these beautiful plants, take a look at our useful tutorial. Shot in the Flowers for Everyone Sydney Olympic Park head office, our head floral designer demonstrates how to care for a Phalaenopsis orchid plant using easy to follow steps.
The Phalaenopsis orchid (pronounced phal-ee-nop-sis) has broad, glossy green leaves and delicate blooms shaped like a moth in flight, which explains why they are often referred to as Moth Orchids.
They come in a myriad of colours, from snowflake white to soft lemon to deep magenta. Some hybrid plants have blooms that are striped or mottled with colour (we love the white petals with splashes of hot pink!).
The plants are one of the most popular in the horticultural marketplace, and are native to southern China, Taiwan, the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Queensland.
DID YOU KNOW Phalaenopsis orchid plants were among the first tropical orchids in Victorian collections?
Most Phalaenopsis orchid plants are epiphytic shade plants, or ‘air plants’ because they do not root in soil. Instead, their roots grow harmlessly upon another plant (usually a tree), and they get their moisture and nutrients from the air, rain and surrounding debris.
You will notice when buying a Phalaenopsis orchid, the pots are filled with a specialty orchid mix, not regular soil.
If you care for your Phalaenopsis properly, the flowers may last two to three months. After flowering, your Phalaenopsis orchid will need to conserve energy for further leaf, bud and root development. Treat it right and it will grow a new stem and reflower. Now that is a thrilling moment!
We hope you have found this tutorial useful. Good luck and enjoy your gorgeous orchid plant. Questions? Post them in the comments box and we will be more than happy to answer them.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phalaenopsis
