Is the Phalaenopsis Little Beauty easy to care for? A detailed look at the pros and cons of this variety
Today I want to recommend to you a heavenly variety bred by Mr. Wu Fushun of Yushan Chunlan Garden in Taiwan, China -- the Phalaenopsis Little Beauty! This tiny little plant is super delicate, and a single one placed on an office desk or coffee table instantly fills the space with atmosphere.
Although the Phalaenopsis Little Beauty is small in size, its flowering period is super long! Under normal care, the flowering period of the Phalaenopsis Little Beauty can last as long as 2 - 3 months! And it is a multi-flowered small-flower type, with 7 - 10 flowers blooming on a single flower spike, and the densely packed little flowers cluster together. Even if the flowers wither, if you trim the flower stem in time, you might even be able to stimulate it to bloom a second time!
The weather has been getting hotter and hotter recently. What should you do if the petals of the Phalaenopsis Little Beauty become wilted? Don't worry, let me share a few super practical rescue solutions with you.
1 Avoid direct sun exposure: the summer sun is too harsh! Quickly move the Phalaenopsis Little Beauty to a place with bright, indirect light and good air circulation, such as a corner of the living room or a north-facing balcony. If it stays in direct sun, the petals will wilt in no time, and it will also speed up the fading of the flowers!
2Cool it down appropriately: the Phalaenopsis Little Beauty likes a cool environment. In summer, when the room temperature exceeds 30°C, you can place a few basins of cold water around the flower pot, or turn on the air conditioner. But be careful not to let the air conditioner blow directly onto the plant, otherwise it is easy for it to catch a cold!
4Prune spent flowers: as soon as you notice wilted petals and spent flowers, cut them off right away with sterilized scissors. This avoids consuming nutrients and also prevents the breeding of pathogens.
Care Guide
Soil: the Phalaenopsis Little Beauty is an epiphytic orchid, so you cannot grow it in ordinary soil! It is recommended to use a breathable potting mix of sphagnum moss and bark. I usually use 70%sphagnum moss+30%bark, which retains moisture while not suffocating the roots. Remember to soak and disinfect newly bought potting mix before using it.
Watering: the Phalaenopsis Little Beauty fears waterlogging but not drought. Generally, water it once every 7 - 10 days, depending on how dry or wet the potting mix is. The way to judge is super simple: stick your finger into the potting mix, and water again once the surface 2 - 3 cm of it has dried out. When watering, water thoroughly until water flows out from the bottom of the pot, then pour away the water in the saucer to prevent root rot. In winter, when the temperature is low, you can extend it to watering once every 10 - 15 days.
Temperature: the most suitable temperature for the growth of the Phalaenopsis Little Beauty is 15 - 28°C. In winter, when it drops below 10°C, you need to keep it warm! You can cover it with a transparent plastic bag, leaving a few small holes for ventilation, or place it in a warm corner far from the heating or air conditioner. In summer, when it is above 30°C, you need to take cooling measures.
Light: the Phalaenopsis Little Beauty likes bright, indirect light, and 3 - 4 hours of sunlight a day is enough! In spring and autumn, you can place it on a south-facing windowsill; in winter, the sunlight is gentle, so you can give it more sun; in summer, just honestly move it to a spot with indirect light.
Fertilizing: during the growing season, apply a dilute orchid-specific fertilizer once every 15 - 20 days, diluting it with water according to the instructions, applying light fertilizer frequently! Before the flowering period, you can supplement with a little phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, such as monopotassium phosphate, which can promote flower bud differentiation and make the flowers bloom more abundantly and vividly. But never fertilize during the flowering period, as it easily causes the buds to drop.