Is the Phalaenopsis Wedding Dress a large-flowered variety? Detailed guide to post-bloom care
Phalaenopsis Wedding Dress is a large-flowered Phalaenopsis, with flowers reaching up to 10cm in diameter. When in bloom on the stem, it stands gracefully and displays a magnificent beauty. Its petals are pure white and carry a wonderful fluorescent effect. The touch of crimson softly blushed on both sides of the petals is just like the blush that rises on a young girl's cheeks when she is shy, lovely and charming.
The flowering habit of Phalaenopsis Wedding Dress is even more astonishing. Each side branch beside every flower stalk can produce a splendid sea of blooms. At peak bloom, the flowers on the whole stem cluster closely together, lively and abundant. Moreover, the flower stalks of Wedding Dress Phalaenopsis are soft in texture and highly malleable, so florists can give full play to their wildest creativity and shape them into all kinds of exquisitely beautiful forms.
The flowering period of Wedding Dress Phalaenopsis is relatively long; with careful care, it can last 2 - 3 months. Generally, the natural flowering period is in winter and spring, just in time to add a touch of romance to the holidays.
Handling after the flowers fade is crucial, as it affects the plant's subsequent growth and reblooming. First, use sterilized scissors to cut off the spent flowers at the point 2 - 3 nodes above the base of the flower stem, to avoid excessive nutrient consumption. After pruning, move the Phalaenopsis to a place with good ventilation and ample scattered light.
At the same time, reduce the watering frequency and just keep the potting medium slightly moist, because at this point the plant's water requirement is lower. As for fertilizing, stop using bloom-boosting fertilizer and switch to a diluted liquid fertilizer, applied once a month, to replenish the nutrients consumed by flowering and help the plant recover its vitality.
In daily care, light is the key. Phalaenopsis Wedding Dress likes scattered light and should be kept away from direct strong sunlight; it can be placed by a bright indoor windowsill that does not receive direct sunlight. The temperature is best kept at 15 - 25°C; during high summer temperatures, pay attention to ventilation and cooling, and in winter take good measures to keep it warm.
Watering should follow the principle of "water when dry, water thoroughly": water only after the surface of the potting medium has dried, and when you do water, water it thoroughly to prevent waterlogging and root rot. Fertilizing should be done lightly and often; during the growing season, apply a diluted compound fertilizer once every 1 - 2 weeks, and before the flowering period add extra phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to promote flower bud differentiation.