When you see orchids in the window, you might think that something so delicate must be hard to take care of. In fact, growing beautiful and delicate moth orchids is actually quite easy, if you know a few basic rules. This lovely plant is native to Australia and southeast Asia, and today is highly popular all over the world. With its five or six floppy leaves and elegant, long spike full of attractive large flowers, it is really decorative.
The flowers can be of any color, and they can also be striped. These astonishing, decorative flowers are usually up to 4 inches in diameter and bloom on one long, elegant spike. There can be a few spikes on some larger plant, with several flowers on each, although there is mostly one spike with maybe six flowers on, but, since they are quite large, the plant looks really attractive with only a few flowers on.
There are so many species of orchids, and the problem is that each requires different type of care. Phals prefer diffuse light, preferably morning light, indirect by all means, and temperatures around seventy degrees F. Make sure your plant is really a phal first, before finding a right place for it. If you choose the east window, you probably won't make a mistake.
Moths prefer indirect or diffused light. Direct light can be quite dangerous for them, and it might burn their leaves. Early morning sun is the best for them. On the other hand, if your orchid doesn't receive enough light, it probably won't re-bloom soon enough. If it doesn't re-bloom for six months or so, it's probably because it doesn't get enough natural light.
Plant your new moth in a clay pot filled with bark mix, there are several types designed especially for orchids. In any case, you should never use various potting soils for this purpose. Moths require substrates that dry easily and allow the roots to get enough air. Plastic pots can also be used. The important thing is that the pot has enough holes on the bottom.
Watering is always important, but too much water is more dangerous than too little. In this case, water your plant maybe once a week, but only if you think that it is needed. This means that if you check the soil, and it is still wet, there is no need for watering yet. Do not pour water on or in between the leaves, and pour it until it comes out from the holes on the bottom.
Fertilize the orchid once a month, with appropriate orchid fertilizer that doesn't contain urea. Urea might damage the root tips, and other sources of nitrogen are better for this purpose. Dilute the fertilizer in the water first, and use milder solution that the one that is recommended. Make sure that this solution doesn't touch the leaves.
The best temperature is in between 70 and 80 degrees during day, and over 60 during nights. If you are buying the plant, check the roots first. Healthy roots should be silver-green with green tops. If they are brown, the plant was probably over-watered, and if they are hard and brittle, under-watered. The plant may be saved if you trim those squishy roots and re-pot the phal, but the one with brittle roots might not be saved.
The flowers can be of any color, and they can also be striped. These astonishing, decorative flowers are usually up to 4 inches in diameter and bloom on one long, elegant spike. There can be a few spikes on some larger plant, with several flowers on each, although there is mostly one spike with maybe six flowers on, but, since they are quite large, the plant looks really attractive with only a few flowers on.
There are so many species of orchids, and the problem is that each requires different type of care. Phals prefer diffuse light, preferably morning light, indirect by all means, and temperatures around seventy degrees F. Make sure your plant is really a phal first, before finding a right place for it. If you choose the east window, you probably won't make a mistake.
Moths prefer indirect or diffused light. Direct light can be quite dangerous for them, and it might burn their leaves. Early morning sun is the best for them. On the other hand, if your orchid doesn't receive enough light, it probably won't re-bloom soon enough. If it doesn't re-bloom for six months or so, it's probably because it doesn't get enough natural light.
Plant your new moth in a clay pot filled with bark mix, there are several types designed especially for orchids. In any case, you should never use various potting soils for this purpose. Moths require substrates that dry easily and allow the roots to get enough air. Plastic pots can also be used. The important thing is that the pot has enough holes on the bottom.
Watering is always important, but too much water is more dangerous than too little. In this case, water your plant maybe once a week, but only if you think that it is needed. This means that if you check the soil, and it is still wet, there is no need for watering yet. Do not pour water on or in between the leaves, and pour it until it comes out from the holes on the bottom.
Fertilize the orchid once a month, with appropriate orchid fertilizer that doesn't contain urea. Urea might damage the root tips, and other sources of nitrogen are better for this purpose. Dilute the fertilizer in the water first, and use milder solution that the one that is recommended. Make sure that this solution doesn't touch the leaves.
The best temperature is in between 70 and 80 degrees during day, and over 60 during nights. If you are buying the plant, check the roots first. Healthy roots should be silver-green with green tops. If they are brown, the plant was probably over-watered, and if they are hard and brittle, under-watered. The plant may be saved if you trim those squishy roots and re-pot the phal, but the one with brittle roots might not be saved.
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You can find details about different types of moth orchids and more info about a reputable orchid company at http://www.justourorchids.com/about right now.
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