Soil Selection and Winter Care During the Flowering Period for Phalaenopsis Cultivation

1. The care of Phalaenopsis needs to be divided into two stages: early-stage management and late-stage management. At each different period, the temperature, moisture and pest control must be adjusted well; for example, during the flowering period in the late-stage care, water and fertilizer management is especially important. >>More

Phalaenopsis is a plant with epiphytic characteristics and needs soil that is breathable, drains well, is slightly acidic and resistant to rot. For the soil, you can choose special orchid soil for growing Phalaenopsis, or use sphagnum moss, wood shavings, bark and charcoal, either alone or in a mixed mix.

2. During care, the following issues must be given key attention.

1. Watering too frequently will cause root rot. Friends who grow Phalaenopsis always worry that the orchid lacks water, and no matter whether the growing medium is dry, they water it every day, causing severe root rot.

2. Keep an appropriate temperature and do not let the temperature get too low. Usually, flowering Phalaenopsis plants are mostly brought to market in early spring, and after being bought home they are generally placed in places such as the living room for viewing. Although the daytime temperature in these places is sufficient, the nighttime temperature is somewhat on the low side. On the other hand, professionally cultivated orchids are mostly kept in well-equipped greenhouses. By contrast, the temperature and humidity at home are slightly insufficient, so the plant's growth tends to weaken day by day. Therefore, sometimes no matter how well it is cared for, the orchid still may not bloom. >>More

3. Disease prevention. Phalaenopsis mainly has the following diseases, and we should pay key attention to them.

1. Bacterial brown spot disease is the most serious disease of Phalaenopsis. The symptom is the appearance of brown spots on the leaves. They are oily or heart-shaped, and surrounded by yellow-shaped material. Treatment methods include adjusting the nitrogen amount in the fertilizer solution, removing diseased plants and maintaining stable relative humidity. Chemical agents have no effect on this disease. Only by using plants in good growing condition and healthy can this bacterial problem be avoided.

2. Mold. Too much variation in moisture in the medium or an unsuitable EC value can cause root damage, thus prompting mold to attack the tissue. The way to deal with it is to lower the EC value of the irrigation water and temporarily reduce the moisture content of the medium. >>More

Phalaenopsis cultivation methods|Phalaenopsis care methods|Phalaenopsis pictures

Phalaenopsis flowers are full and graceful in shape, with strong growth vigor, and the flowering period lasts as long as several months. Potted plants are especially suitable for placement in homes, offices and hotels, vivid and lifelike, appearing elegant and luxurious.

Phalaenopsis is a perennial evergreen herb
with a short stem and large leaves. The flower stem is long and arched. The flowers are large, butterfly-shaped and densely borne. Phalaenopsis is native to the tropical regions of Asia. It often grows wild in tropical high-temperature, humid, low- and medium-altitude mountain forests, and likes hot, humid and semi-shaded environments. The suitable growth temperature is 25-28°C during the day and 10-20°C at night. When the summer high temperature is above 35°C or the winter low temperature is below 0°C, Phalaenopsis stops growing. If the low temperature continues, the roots stop absorbing water, forming physiological water shortage, and the plant will die. However, Phalaenopsis flower bud differentiation does not require high temperature, and 16-18°C is suitable. Phalaenopsis likes a high-humidity environment. Because it does not have thick pseudobulbs to store water, if the air humidity is low, the plant will become dehydrated. Therefore, when cultivating Phalaenopsis, air dryness and dry wind are the most feared.

Sunlight is very beneficial to the growth and development of Phalaenopsis
Therefore, but with stable winter sunlight, Phalaenopsis leaves grow robustly and the flowers are brightly colored. However, long periods of strong direct light in summer can burn the leaves, so shade netting is needed for shading treatment, which is beneficial to the normal growth of the leaves. However, if grown under shade netting for a long time, the leaves are soft, the flower stems elongate, and the flowers lack luster and are not bright. For this reason, during long periods of rain and snow in winter, when sunlight is insufficient, artificial lighting should be added as a supplement.

Common propagation methods for Phalaenopsis are division and tissue culture

Division propagation: carry it out before new buds sprout in spring or after flowering. At this time, nutrients are concentrated and disease resistance is strong. Generally, it is done together with repotting. Take the mother plant out of the pot, injure the roots as little as possible, gently separate the orchid clumps, and choose 2-3 plants to pot directly. If division is done during the high-temperature summer season, it is easy to rot. If division is done in winter, because the temperature is slightly low, rooting and recovery are slower.

Tissue culture propagation: Phalaenopsis is a monopodial orchid and rarely produces lateral buds, so only the shoot tip of a mature plant can be used as an explant. Leaves can also be used for culture. Generally speaking, the younger the plant age and the more tender the leaves, the easier it is to produce callus tissue, and the greater the number of differentiated bud clusters.

Phalaenopsis is an epiphytic orchid. When cultivating it, the roots must have good aeration, and the potting medium must be loose, drain well and be breathable. Moss, fern roots, bark chunks, coconut shell or vermiculite are commonly used. After a new plant is potted, it takes about 30-40 days to grow new roots.

During the growing period, fertilize once every ten days; from flower bud formation to the flowering period, apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer
and frequently spray water on the ground and leaves to increase air humidity, which is very beneficial to stem and leaf growth. Repot every year in May-June after flowering when new roots begin to grow, and the temperature should be 20-25°C. If the temperature is too low, the new plant recovers slowly and is also prone to rot. A high temperature above 32°C is unfavorable to the growth of Phalaenopsis and will cause it to enter a semi-dormant state, affecting flower bud differentiation, resulting in no flowering. Phalaenopsis has long inflorescences and large flowers, so when potted, a support stake is needed to prevent it from toppling over and affecting the floral appearance.

Common diseases and pests of Phalaenopsis include brown spot disease and soft rot disease, which can be sprayed with a 1000-fold dilution of 50% carbendazim wettable powder. Pests include scale insects and whiteflies, which can be killed by spraying with a 3000-fold dilution of 25% deltamethrin EC.

How to grow Phalaenopsis, Phalaenopsis care methods, Phalaenopsis cultivation methods

How to grow Phalaenopsis, Phalaenopsis care methods: Below, the author will talk about Phalaenopsis cultivation methods.

1. Growing medium

The common growing medium for Phalaenopsis is mainly sphagnum moss (water moss).

2. Temperature

The suitable growth temperature for Phalaenopsis is 16-30°C. In winter, place it in a room with heating facilities or on a warm balcony, and in summer place it in a cool, ventilated place. If placed in an air-conditioned room, it must not face the air conditioner directly, and the temperature can be kept at around 26°C.

Humidity

3. Humidity

The suitable growth air humidity for Phalaenopsis is 50-80%. If the humidity is too low, a water basin can be placed nearby, or a humidifier can be used, but spraying water on the flowers is prohibited.

4. Light intensity

The suitable light intensity for Phalaenopsis increases as the flower seedling grows. General home cultivation is mainly for flowering, and Phalaenopsis most fears strong direct light, so in winter it is enough to place it near sunlight, and in summer place it in a ventilated place with scattered light. If outdoors, shading treatment is needed.

5. Watering and fertilizing

Phalaenopsis roots are fleshy roots, which fear waterlogging and are sensitive to salt; otherwise, they are prone to root rot. The principle should be to water when dry and stop when wet, and apply thin fertilizer frequently. In a general home, watering once every 10 days is enough. The water temperature must be above 18°C. Phalaenopsis fears concentrated fertilizer, so the fertilizer solution concentration should be low; generally, a 3000-fold dilution of a water-soluble special orchid complete NPK nutrient compound fertilizer is best. During the flowering period, you can water without fertilizing; do not water or fertilize at low temperatures or on cloudy and rainy days.

6. Ventilation

The normal growth of Phalaenopsis requires flowing fresh air, so home-grown Phalaenopsis should be placed in a ventilated place.

7. Other

It takes about 15 months for a small seedling to grow to flowering, but the flowering period can last as long as 3 months. After the ornamental period of Phalaenopsis is over, cut the flower stalk off from the base. Because the flowering period consumes a great deal of nutrients, it needs to be nourished for several months before forcing flowers again, and next year it will certainly bloom well again. When a large number of roots grow out of the pot, repotting is needed. It is best done after flowering: remove the original pot, wrap another layer of water moss around the roots, place it in a slightly larger pot, and after slightly shading it for a week, normal management can resume.