A Detailed Guide to Beginner Phalaenopsis Care Methods and Pitfall-Avoidance Tips
Looking across the flower market, the flowers that shop owners stock the most of are phalaenopsis orchids (Phalaenopsis). The reason they shine so brightly in the flower world is their variety of cultivars, and each one has something unique - some petals have gradient colors, dreamy and fantastical, while others have spots on their petals, like carefully painted patterns. After buying one and taking it home, it can also add color to an ordinary life. However, this good-looking flower has quite a few care requirements, and if these conditions are not followed, the blooming period may be shortened by more than half.
Which orchid "pitfalls" are beginner flower lovers most likely to fall into? The editor has singled out the 5 most common big pitfalls. First, the number one pitfall is the one most flower lovers make, which is watering too much, after which the roots easily rot away. The solution is to remember that watering must follow the principle of "water thoroughly only after the medium dries out." Flower lovers who cannot tell can poke the sphagnum moss with a finger, and water again when it feels bone-dry. The recommended watering method is to water once or twice a week in summer, and about once every 10 days in winter.
The second pitfall is placing it on a south-facing balcony with the harshest sunlight. At this time, if the petals are exposed to direct sun, the final result will be problems such as yellowing and drying leaves and falling flower buds. The solution is to place it on an east-facing balcony. If that cannot be changed, it can be placed 3 m back from the south-facing balcony, and shade tools must be added at noon. In short, do not let strong light shine directly on it.
The third pitfall comes from the flower shop owner. Many times, after orchids are bought, flower lovers dislike the look of the plastic pot and then put it inside a larger pot. This operation may make the flower pot poorly ventilated, and the root system will "suffocate." This is because plastic pots also vary in thinness and thickness, and generally, if the quality is poor, there are very few holes in the bottom. The solution is to directly switch to a ceramic pot or woven rattan basket with good breathability. A pot size just one circle larger than the root system is just right.
The second-to-last pitfall is not to fertilize randomly during the blooming period. Fertilizing is used when the flowers have not yet bloomed, not when the flowers are almost finished blooming. Doing this instead shortens the blooming period. The solution is not to fertilize during the blooming period, and wait until the flowers fade before supplementing some nutrient solution to let the plant recover its strength.
The last pitfall is neglecting ventilation, which brings all the pests and diseases. The solution is to keep the environment ventilated, regularly check the leaves and root system, and immediately deal with any pests or diseases found.