How to grow Phalaenopsis orchids so they bloom again in summer

The normal flowering period of Phalaenopsis orchids is generally from February to May. Based on the author's experience, with proper care they can be made to bloom all year round. I have a new variety of "Big Red Flower Phalaenopsis" at home. After the Spring Festival I cut off the flower spikes and repotted it, and before "May Day" it began to send out new flower spikes again. On July 1 the first flower opened, and now they are blooming one after another. This is the second blooming in 2000. The cultivation method is summarized as follows:

1. Use an ordinary clay pot with an enlarged drainage hole at the bottom; it is best to make the drainage hole area reach one third of the pot bottom area. For clay pots, a medium, rather shallow one with a slightly larger diameter is suitable.

2. Use readily available decomposed, blackened pine needles as the growing medium. When potting, first place a one-third-thick layer of broken brick pieces at the bottom of the pot to help drainage. Undecomposed pine needles should not be used, because the fleshy roots of Phalaenopsis orchids are easily pierced and their water-retention capacity is rather poor.

3. Place a water tray under the pot bottom, and raise the flower 1 cm-2 cm with wooden blocks. After each watering, the water that seeps down stays in the tray, which both keeps the balcony clean and increases the air humidity of the water environment.

4. Water once every 5 days-7 days with 50 times diluted Clivia nutrient solution. When the temperature is above 25°C, spray water on the leaves and around the pot 2 times-3 times a day, and water once with clean water in the evening.

5. Place it in a well-ventilated spot on the balcony, and avoid direct sunlight.

6. During the day the balcony temperature is basically consistent with that indoors, 1°C-2°C higher in summer and 1°C-2°C lower in winter, keeping it basically between 25°C-30°C. At night, lower the balcony temperature as much as possible to increase the temperature difference. (Note: In winter the temperature must not be lower than 18°C.)

7. During the period when new leaves and flower spikes are emerging, rotate the pot once a week to ensure that the leaves and flower spikes do not grow lopsided.