How to care for and water a newly bought Phalaenopsis so it blooms

Just brought home a beautiful Phalaenopsis orchid and feeling both excited and a little at a loss? Don't worry. Follow the methods below, and your Phalaenopsis orchid is sure to grow healthily and bloom year after year.

Light: Phalaenopsis orchids like soft light and cannot tolerate direct strong sunlight. You can place yours somewhere indoors that is bright but not hit by direct sun, such as a coffee table near a living room window, or a windowsill shaded by a sheer curtain. Too much light will scorch the leaves and turn them yellow; too little light makes it hard for the plant to produce flower buds and bloom.

Phalaenopsis orchids love warmth and fear the cold,15 - 25°C is the ideal temperature for its growth. Keep it warm in winter, and do not let it sit in conditions below10°C, or it may easily suffer cold damage. When summer temperatures exceed30°C, you need to cool it down appropriately, for example by turning on the air conditioning or moving it to a cool, ventilated spot.

Watering is a skill. Phalaenopsis orchids have fleshy roots that can store water, so watering once a week is enough. Water thoroughly so that water flows out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, but never let water accumulate, or the roots will rot. You can stick a finger into the soil2 - 3cm deep, and water again once the soil is dry. It is best to use rainwater or tap water that has been left standing for two or three days, to avoid the chlorine in the water harming the plant.

If you want your Phalaenopsis orchid to grow well, fertilizing is essential. During the spring and autumn growing seasons, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer once every1 - 2weeks. In winter and summer, growth slows, so do not fertilize. Fertilize with "weak doses, applied often," and never use a strong fertilizer, or it will burn the roots.

You should also repot your Phalaenopsis orchid regularly, generally once every2 - 3years, and it is best to do so in spring after the flowers fade. When repotting, carefully lift the plant out, remove some of the old medium, plant it in a new pot, and fill in with breathable sphagnum moss or bark.

As long as you care for it attentively, your Phalaenopsis orchid will surely thrive, produce more beautiful flowers, and bring life and festive cheer to your home!