They often bear multiple flower buds on arching stems, which can last for two to three months.
If cared for properly, Phalaenopsis orchids live for 15 to 20 years in your home.
Here’s what it’s crucial that you do to make that happen.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Rotate your orchid from time to time to keep its growth even.
Place the plant about 12 inches below the light.
Orchids also like contrasting night and day temperatures.
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To induce blooming, the plant needs a few cooler nights, with temperatures around 55F.
Deadheading it usually not necessary, as spent flowers just fall on their own.
It is normal for your orchid to grow aerial roots above the soil; just let them be.
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Pruning Tip
Looking for the best pruners for your orchid plants?
We tested over 10top-rated pruning shearsin our Lab to check that your plants stay happy and healthy.
These identical copies of the parent periodically appear on either old or new flower spikes.
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After the keiki is about a year old, it is ready to be used for propagation.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Moth orchids don’t tend to have major pest problems.
verify todisinfect your pruning shearsand containers, and only purchase potting medium from a reputable source.
But indoors, you canget them to rebloomevery six months with a few simple steps.
Learnwhat the different colors and textures meanin order to best care for your orchid.
Yellow Leaves
Overwatering and root rot are often the cause of yellowing leaves.
Give the orchid growing medium time to dry out between waterings.
If that doesn’t work, repot the plant and remove any unhealthy roots.
Buds Dropping
Orchids sometimes experience bud blasta condition where the flower buds drop without blooming.
This is usually sparked by sudden changes in temperature, humidity, moisture, or fertilizer.
Maintaining ideal growing conditions should lessen the occurrence of problems.
After the flowers have fallen off, cut the stem back and continue to water the orchid weekly.
Apply a diluted liquid fertilizer and watch for a new flowering stem to emerge.
A drop in temperatures to around 55 to 60F for a few nights usually triggers them to bloom.
Choose a window with bright, indirect light; a south- oreast-facing windowusually works best.
Growing Under Lights.American Orchid Society.
Pests and Diseases: Mealybugs on Orchids.
Orchid Pests and Diseases - Orchid Diseases.
St. Augustine Orchid Society.
What Causes Orchid Leaves to Turn Yellow and Shrivel?University of Maryland Extension Home and Garden Information Center.
