Why Is Your Phalaenopsis Orchid Poor at Absorbing Nutrients? A Look at the Causes

Many flower lovers complain:"Why does my Phalaenopsis always look droopy, and it doesn't grow even when I fertilize?" Nine times out of ten, this is a nutrient absorption problem! Just why does a perfectly healthy Phalaenopsis end up poor at absorbing nutrients? Understanding the reasons behind it is the only way to treat the right cause.

The most common reason - potting medium. Phalaenopsis is different from other flowers; it is an epiphytic plant that doesn't grow in soil at all, and needs to be grown in airy potting media like bark and sphagnum moss. If the potting medium has been used for too long, the bark rots into sludge and the sphagnum moss becomes compacted and airless, making it hard for the Phalaenopsis roots to even breathe, let alone absorb nutrients.

Now let's talk about watering. Many flower lovers think that more water is good for the flowers, but it ends up doing their Phalaenopsis a great disservice! The roots of this flower are especially delicate; too much water easily causes root rot, and once the roots give up, nutrient absorption stops dead. But if you water too little, the potting medium dries out, the nutrients can't dissolve, and the roots can't absorb any nutrients either. So watering is like feeding your Phalaenopsis - too much or too little won't do, and you have to get the balance just right.

When it comes to fertilizing, there's quite a bit of know-how here too. Some flower lovers are impatient and dose their Phalaenopsis with a heavy concentration of fertilizer all at once, and end up burning the roots! Once the roots are irritated by strong fertilizer, they just lie down and stop working. Some flower lovers also fixate only on nitrogen fertilizer when feeding, neglecting phosphorus, potassium, calcium and other trace elements; with unbalanced nutrition, the Phalaenopsis won't absorb properly either.

If the environment isn't right, the Phalaenopsis will sulk too. Phalaenopsis likes a warm, humid environment; when the temperature drops below 15°C, it goes into winter dormancy mode, its growth slows, and its ability to absorb nutrients declines along with it. If the air is too dry and the humidity is insufficient, the roots easily shrivel and absorption suffers. In addition, if ventilation is poor, the area around the pot becomes stuffy and damp, which not only breeds pathogens easily but also deprives the Phalaenopsis of oxygen, so nutrient absorption naturally takes a big hit.

Finally, pests and diseases may also be the culprit. Root rot, spider mites and the like directly damage the roots and leaves of the Phalaenopsis. When the roots are gnawed by pathogens and the leaves are destroyed by insects, nutrient absorption naturally can't keep up.

Seen this way, there really are quite a few reasons why a Phalaenopsis absorbs nutrients poorly! If you want your Phalaenopsis at home to"dig in" eagerly, you need to pay more attention to potting medium, watering, fertilizing, environment, and pest and disease control.