How to Grow Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid) in Water Culture and Precautions

When a Phalaenopsis orchid blooms, it is elegant and gorgeous

1.Remove from the pot: First take the Phalaenopsis orchid out of its original pot, and be sure to do it gently so you do not damage the roots. After taking it out, gently shake off the old sphagnum moss from the roots. Then hold the orchid under a faucet and rinse it slowly with a gentle stream of water, washing away the remaining sphagnum moss and dirt so the roots are completely clean

2.Pruning: Find a pair of sterilized scissors and cut off all the blackened, shriveled, hollow rotten roots. These rotten roots are useless and easily attract bacteria, affecting the health of the Phalaenopsis orchid. When cutting, make sure the cut is smooth and do not damage the good roots.

3.Sterilizing: Prepare some carbendazim solution, which is a great helper for sterilizing. Soak the pruned Phalaenopsis orchid roots in it, letting the solution cover all the roots, and soak for 15minutes or so. After soaking, take it out, place it in a well-ventilated spot to dry, and then move on to the next step.

4.Container: Choosing a water culture container matters a lot; it is best to use a transparent one, such as a glass bottle or a plastic cup. The advantage of transparency is that you can see the water level and the condition of the roots at any time, making it easy to adjust. The size of the container should match the size of the Phalaenopsis orchid plant, not too big and not too small.

5.Water level: Add some water to the container, then put the dried Phalaenopsis orchid in. Note that the water level must never completely submerge the roots; just let the very tips of the lowest roots touch the water. This way the roots can absorb water while still getting air. When you see the water level drop, just add more water.

6.Changing the water: The frequency of changing the water depends on the season. In spring and autumn, when the weather is nice, change the water about every 7days; in winter, when it is cold and water evaporates slowly, changing it once every 14days is fine. Every time you change the water, do not forget to add some special Phalaenopsis orchid nutrient solution to replenish nutrients. Follow the instructions for the amount of nutrient solution; do not add too much or too little.

7.Light: The Phalaenopsis orchid likes light, but cannot stand direct strong light. Placing it by a bay window with a sheer curtain is quite suitable; the sheer curtain can block some of the strong light and let the orchid receive soft light, so it can grow normally without sunburning its leaves. If the light at home is really poor, buy a plant grow light to supplement the light.

In short, the Phalaenopsis orchid likes slightly acidic water, so if your tap water is fairly hard, do not use it directly. You can collect some rainwater; rainwater is clean and slightly acidic, which is great for the orchid. If there is no rainwater, pour out some tap water and let it sit in the sun for a few days, until the chlorine in the water has dissipated, and then use it to grow the plant.