Caring for White Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid)? I just acquire a beautiful white Moth Orchid. I read nearly...
I just acquire a beautiful white Moth Orchid. I read nearly taking care of it (watering, etc.) but what happen when all the buds bloom and the long stem is unprotected? Do I cut the stem back and will it grow out again and attain new buds? Right presently it has 8 gorgeous flowers and 8 buds. I've have it for nearly 3 weeks. It is so beautiful and I hope I can hold it alive for a long time. Any help will surely be appreciated.
p.s. I don't hold a "green thumb" and in yesteryear have other "killed my indoor plants beside kindness". Too much water, etc.!
Answers: The Phalaenopsis orchid is the easiest for emergence orchid lovers to grow. It does very in good health on windowledges in the average home environment. I know because I've have them for about 10 years.
Your orchid's flowers will in general last 3-4 months, next one by one will drop off. Don't cut the "spike" after it's finished blooming because it will normally set a smaller side "spike" and bloom again. Wait to cut it off until the spike have dried out and turned brown.
The trick of watering an orchid is to water it "weekly" and fertilize it "weakly". Put a tiny bit of orchid fertilizer within with your weekly watering, or if you own a fish tank, use fish cistern water (not brackish water fish, though!)
My phalaenopsis plants bloom twice a year. I also save each plant surrounded by a slightly larger tub with pebbles on the bottom to preserve the pot elevated a bit, and then consent to about 1" of sea stand in the outer tub. This creates a slightly more humid mini environment for respectively plant.
Your orchid should last you if you bear care of it correctly. The blooms can final up to 3 months! After all the blooms hold withered and fallen rotten, clip the branch after the LAST bloom, from the start where they be, not the top. Make sure you drain the water too, never agree to the roots sit in wet, they rot easily. Give it lots of sunshine. Also, when adjectives the blooms are gone and you've trimmed your branch, keep watering as you would if within were blooms, orchids are dormant for nearly 6 months. You should see new buds again around this time subsequent year, new growth too! Repot every two years :o)