How to grow Phalaenopsis orchids? A detailed breakdown of the latest care essentials
Phalaenopsis is a flower that grows in hot, low rainforest areas, and it has aerial roots that can absorb nutrients from the air, which is also a key point to pay attention to when it comes to caring for Phalaenopsis. In fact, growing Phalaenopsis is easy; the main thing is getting Phalaenopsis to bloom, and it also needs long-term care afterward. Now I will introduce the main key points of care based on some of the characteristics of Phalaenopsis.
1. Temperature
Growing temperature is the most critical, and around 15°C to 20°C is most suitable. Below 10°C it will definitely suffer cold damage; it likes warmth and does not like cold, and generally its growth is unaffected within 30°C. Too high a temperature may have some effect. But adjusting light at low temperatures can regulate the timing of flower bud differentiation. During cultivation, try to keep the temperature within the most suitable range.
2. Humidity
Phalaenopsis originally grows along coasts and under forests with very high humidity, so care requires relatively high humidity; it cannot be grown in a dry environment, which is not suitable for root growth, while moist soil is suitable for aerial root growth. But too much moisture is not good either; generally warm and humid conditions are the easiest environment to trigger pathogen growth. So humidity should be appropriately reduced. Soil moisture at 70% is fine, and air humidity can be around 60%. For cultivation, it should be placed in a ventilated environment; air circulation can prevent pests and diseases.
3. Light control
Phalaenopsis originally grows under forests, where it rarely sees light, so it is better suited to shaded environments and does not like direct strong light; general scattered light can meet its growth needs. It will not be affected. It is most suited to shaded environments. It is very suitable for growing indoors near a window. Although it likes shade, if there is no sunlight at all, it definitely will not work, and in the end it may slowly wither and die.
4. Nutrition
It likes fertilizer during growth, and fertilizer should be applied throughout the entire growing period, especially more in summer. But fertilizer should not be applied heavily all at once; generally it should be applied in small amounts and more frequently. Usually apply nitrogen fertilizer and potassium fertilizer; during the flowering period, mainly apply phosphorus fertilizer, together with potassium fertilizer. Normally fertilize once every two weeks; during the flowering period, fertilize once a week. Do not fertilize at noon; do it in the afternoon, when the temperature has dropped. After fertilizing, water more to aid absorption. After applying too much fertilizer, water more to reduce the concentration.
Phalaenopsis care mainly revolves around adjusting growth environment factors, mainly to meet the requirements of the best growing environment, so that you can grow Phalaenopsis with pleasing growth vigor, and this is the ultimate goal of care.