A Brief Introduction to the Cultivation Methods and Key Technical Points of Phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis, scientific name (Phalaenopsis), family Orchidaceae, genus Phalaenopsis. Native to tropical Asia, distributed in Taiwan, China, as well as the Philippines and Java and other places. There are about 50 species. Phalaenopsis is a monopodial epiphytic orchid with a short stem, large leaves, and one to several arching flower spikes with large flowers. In their places of origin, Phalaenopsis plants all grow as epiphytes on trees near hot, humid rivers and coasts, and they prefer a hot (optimal temperature 15-30°C), humid, well-ventilated and shady growing environment. After seedlings are transplanted, they must not be watered for 2-3 days; adult plants should be transplanted one month after flowering or 2-3 months before the flower spike emerges. Spring is the period of fastest growth for Phalaenopsis and also the root growth period, so the medium should be kept moist and prevented from drying out, generally watering once a day. If you want to grow robust orchid plants, the plants should receive appropriate air movement; in greenhouse cultivation ventilation is often poor, so it is best to place them near a well-ventilated entrance or use a fan to circulate the air. Organic fertilizers such as fermented soybean cake water can be used, or compound fertilizers, or a liquid fertilizer diluted two thousand times applied once every ten days. Summer sunlight is strong, so 80-90% shading is needed, watering once in the morning and once in the evening; when it is severely dry, leaf water can be sprayed even during the day. Since shading reaches 80-90%, there is no need to worry about damaging the leaves, and spraying leaf water at night is even more effective. Fertilization is the same as in spring, using liquid fertilizer once every 7-10 days. Whether growth goes smoothly between spring and summer affects the setting and number of flowers, so fertilization between spring and summer is very important. In autumn, when the temperature drops below 20°C, the growth of new leaves becomes sluggish; if stimulated by low temperatures, the flower spike will grow out from the leaf stem area. Because the temperature falls, moisture dries more slowly, so it is best to wait until the surface of the growing medium is dry before watering, and no fertilizer is needed during the flower spike growth period. In winter, the flower spike keeps growing and enters the flowering period. When the temperature drops below 13°C, the plants should be moved into a greenhouse and kept ventilated, preferably using a fan to circulate the air. In winter, watering should wait until the growing medium is completely dry, and should be done on sunny mornings; nighttime temperatures are low, so avoid letting water applied in the morning remain in the leaf crown overnight. When the flowering period ends, leave 3-4 nodes on the flower spike and cut off the rest, and side shoots will grow and bloom in summer.