Do Phalaenopsis orchids grow or wither in winter?

"My Phalaenopsis orchid's leaves don't seem as lively once winter comes, no new leaves are growing, and an old leaf turns yellow now and then. Is it going to wither?" Actually, there's no need to panic. First, let's clear up two key questions - does a Phalaenopsis orchid actually grow in winter? And will it easily wither?

A Phalaenopsis orchid does grow in winter, but very slowly, so slowly that you might think it has"shut down." This flower originally comes from the tropics and naturally loves warmth. Once the temperature drops in winter, it enters a semi-dormant state. Just like people tend to get lazy in winter, the Phalaenopsis orchid also slows down its growth rhythm. New leaves barely emerge, and roots grow slowly. It doesn't stop growing completely, it just becomes less "efficient." My neighbor last winter kept staring at her Phalaenopsis orchid, asking every day "why hasn't a new leaf grown yet," and later found that the leaves were just a bit thicker than in autumn and there were two more thin roots - that's the normal growth state in winter. Don't expect it to shoot up quickly like in spring and summer. As long as nothing is wrong, slow is normal.

"the season has come," but because we fail to do key things like keeping it warm and watering properly. The most common case I've seen is "freeze-withering": putting the Phalaenopsis orchid on the balcony, where the window leaks cold air at night and the temperature drops below10

"life-saving tips": the temperature must stay stable. This is the most important thing. Keep the daytime temperature at15-2012

"over-eager" with watering. In winter the Phalaenopsis orchid can't drink much water. Wait until the surface of the potting mix dries to a pale color, or until the pot feels lighter when you pick it up, then use room-temperature water to pour a little along the edge of the pot. Don't soak it through, and especially don't let water sit in the leaf crown or on the roots. I usually water about once every10

Don't fertilize at random. Don't fertilize the Phalaenopsis orchid in winter; when the temperature is low, the roots can't absorb it and it will instead burn the roots. Also don't keep moving the pot - putting it in the living room today and the bedroom tomorrow. It can't adapt and easily gets stressed and drops leaves. And don't casually cut leaves. Even if a leaf is a bit yellow, as long as it isn't completely withered, it may still provide nutrients to the flower.

Understand its"hibernation"rhythm, and give it a peaceful winter.