How To Care For Phalaenopsis Orchids Correctly

Phalaenopsis orchids are without a doubt not only one of the most popular of all orchid types worldwide. They are also definitely one of the most beautiful of all the varieties that orchids do come in as a rule. This specific genus of orchid is native to both Asia and northern Australia and in Asia they are grow from the Himalayan Mountains to the Philippine Islands per se. The genus Phalaenopsis can proudly boost of sixty different species and a host of cultivars in addition to add to the list. What makes Phalaenopsis orchids unique is the fact that they are have what is known as a monopodial growth habit and because of this they are able to grow upwards from a single point only.

The Phalaenopsis orchid is also called the "Moth Orchid" because its flowers look like the shape of a moth or butterfly and is considered one of the most common of all orchids because it is easy to produce by nurseries that somehow get them to bloom all year round. They can also be grown at home and can bloom for a very long time if one knows how to care for them correctly.

Two of the top things that beginners to orchid land will come to realize are that they need lots of water and lots of light. How much water and how much light you administer to orchids depend on its specific type and the requirements that go along with each one per se.

Phalaenopsis orchids are funny where water is concerned.  They mostly do like to dry out between scheduled watering times on the average. Most orchids need to be watered periodically say once a week. Nevertheless, these unique orchids tend to like it a bit on the dry side. Therefore, to determine when to water them next is to do the finger test. You can insert either your finger or a wooden pencil about an inch into the orchid's media. If the medium feels not spongy and is, dry. You know it is now time to water your Phalaenopsis.

Phalaenopsis orchids also get along just fine in bright light. However, it must be indirect in its own way. This species of orchid is monopodial as was previously stated and they do not possess the same kind of leaves that hold water, as does a sympodial orchid. The leaves of a Phalaenopsis orchid grow from a centralized stem and are different from the pseudo bulbs that a sympodial orchid does have.

It is the overall culture of the Phalaenopsis orchid to get light from a windowsill as much as they can and live in moisture. Nevertheless, at times, they do enjoy being dry, you just cannot let them get bone dry between watering. This kind of orchid species does very well as houseplants and they do thrive in homes that are constantly warm as a rule.

Because of the fact that the Phalaenopsis orchid does so well in environments that are humid, sometimes, they fail to realize when the fall season has emerged and they should be going through a blooming spike once the growth phase has ceased in them for the year. So due to this fact, they need to recognize that it is indeed Fall, and the only way to do this is to expose them to a lower temperature of in the 60s for a couple of nights to promote the blooming spike that they usually go through in the Fall season.

Phals as Phalaenopsis orchids are fondly called by those who own them are truly very easy orchids to care for and are the most recognizable among the different orchid species that make up the genus classification as a rule. These specific orchids are also one of the chosen favorites of orchid growers for a number of reasons, which include its compactness and the fact that it is the perfect indoor plant.

The following is the basics for the care of your Phalaenopsis orchid. They are:

• Bright light that is sufficient in detail. However, no direct sunlight
• The water needs of mature plants versus seedlings do vary. Make sure that your mature plants do not dry out too much between watering and that seedlings get the constant attention they require
• The temperature needs also vary between mature plants and seedlings. Mature plants need a 15 to 20 F difference between the day and the night. The daily temperatures can range from 75 to 85 and the nights of 60 to 65 F. Seedlings need temperatures of that of 10 degrees above mature plants.
• The humidity needs of these orchids is a constant, as they do thrive in warm environments
• The kind of fertilizer you choose must go along with the certain variety of potting media that you are using for your orchid.