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Phalaenopsis Care for Beginner
The
Moth Orchid
An American Orchid Society
demographic survey showed that
phalaenopsis have become
America's favorite orchid. And
no wonder. Perhaps no other
orchid is better suited to home
orchid growing. Plants with
long-lasting sprays of lovely
mothlike blooms in a broad array
of colors are inexpensive and
widely available, ready to give
weeks of pleasure in your home
or office. Simply provide
modest light and consistent
moisture, and they will delight
you with their relative ease of
culture. The main flowering
season is late winter into
spring, though commercial
growers today can make flowering
phalaenopsis available year
round.
Light
Sufficient light is important
for healthy growth and flower
production.
Provide Bright
light, no direct sun. In the
home, an east, west or shaded
south window. In a greenhouse,
about 30 percent full sun.
Under lights, four 40 watt
incandescent bulbs directly over
plants. Foliage should be
naturally semierect, and of a
medium olive-green. Dark green,
limp foliage indicates too
little light.
Temperature
Mature plants need a 15 to 20 F
difference between night and
day.
Provide Nights
of 60 to 65 F; days of 75 to 85
F. Seedlings need temperatures
five to 10 degrees higher than
mature plants.
Water
Mature plants should seldom dry
out between waterings.
Seedlings need more constant
attention to moisture.
Humidity
Phalaenopsis need 60 to 70
percent humidity. In the home,
place on trays of moistened
pebbles. In greenhouse, use a
humidifier if conditions are too
dry.
Fertilizer
Must
be provided on a regular basis
because most potting media have
little.
Provide The
exact fertilizer you use will
depend on the mix in which your
plant is growing. A good
general rule is to use a
balanced (10-10-10, 12-12-12 or
similar ratio) fertilizer
"weakly, weekly." That is,
fertilize every week at one
quarter to one half of the
recommended dilution.
Potting
Should be done every one to two
years before the mix breaks down
too far. Best done in late
spring after main flowering
season, using a well-drained but
water-retentive mix. Select pot
size for root mass, not top
size.
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