How to care for Phalaenopsis (moth orchid) medium seedlings, and how long until they become large seedlings?
Orchid growers, gather round! Is the medium seedling at home like a"half-grown kid" - not as fragile as a small seedling, but not yet at the mature flowering stage - always leaving you worried about how to care for it? Today I'll walk you through medium seedling care techniques step by step, and by the way, chat about how long it takes to grow into a large seedling!
3 - 4 healthy leaves and a fairly well-developed root system, about 10 - 15 cm long, but has not yet reached the bud-setting and flowering stage. At this point, good care can lay a "solid foundation" for flowering!
Don't use too large a pot for a medium seedling! If the pot is too big, the water dries slowly after watering, and root rot is easy. It is recommended to choose a transparent plastic pot with a diameter of 10 - 12
Phalaenopsis medium seedlings are most afraid of waterlogging, but they can't be too dry either. How do you judge whether it's time to water? Touch the growing medium with your hand. If the sphagnum moss and bark are dry to the point of turning white and feeling light, or if you scrape open the surface 2 cm and it feels dry, it's time to water! Don't give "half-hearted" water; just use a watering can to slowly water thoroughly until water flows out of the bottom of the pot. If you're worried about getting it right, buy a soil moisture meter - water when the reading is below 30
10001
18 - 28°C. In winter, don't let it go below 1530°C. If the air-conditioned room is too dry, put in a humidifier or place some water in a tray.
Check the leaves and roots once a week to see whether there is yellowing, black spots, or root rot. If you find spider mites or scale insects, just wipe them off with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol; if the leaves rot, quickly cut them off with sterilized scissors, then sprinkle on some carbendazim powder. Prevention is more important than treatment - keep good ventilation at ordinary times and don't let it sit in a stuffy environment!
There's no fixed answer! Under normal circumstances, if cared for properly, with suitable temperature, light, water, and fertilizer, it can enter the large seedling stage in about 6 - 8 months. But if the environment is unsuitable, for example if you always overwater or there isn't enough light, it may not grow much even in 1
In short, when caring for Phalaenopsis medium seedlings, remember these key words: breathable, moisture-retaining, weak fertilizer, indirect light. Do these well, and wait to harvest a large seedling with glossy leaves and strong roots - a full bloom won't be far off!