Showing posts with label phalaenopsis orchids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label phalaenopsis orchids. Show all posts

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Phalaneopsis Orchid Care


Tips for Phalaenopsis Orchid Care

by Chairil Amin Umar








The phalaenopsis orchid is also known as the moth orchid is one of the most popular orchid varieties. This particular type of orchid it's easy to recognize because this particular type of orchid is well matched to growing indoors. 

Phalaenopsis orchid care is not so difficult as one might think though. Just like any orchid, Phalaenopsis still needs a little tender love and care. The late winter is the main flowering season into spring , although commercial growers nowadays can make flowering phalaenopsis available year round. These are the following tips to make sure your phalaenopsis orchid continues to flower year around.

 ·        Lighting


A sufficient amount of light is needed for healthy growth and to make sure your flowers bloom. Direct sunlight can severely harm your orchid, that is why you have to provide a good amount of light. By looking at its leaves, you can see if your phalaenopsis orchid is getting the proper light care. The color of the leaves should be a medium olive green, if the leaves are dark green or limp meaning the orchid is receiving too little light.
·        Temperature
You need to ensure the right temperature for correct care of your phalaenopsis orchid. Usually the temperature difference between night and day should be around 10 to 15 F is needed for a mature plant. You can check the leaves for this, but the room temperature is sufficient  as a rule of thumb. Avoid extreme hot or cold spots of the home.
·        Watering
You will not need drying out between watering for a mature phalaneopsis, but it has no meaning that you can over watering. Water the flower a good soaking first but then leave it for a few days without watering. Because it simulates the plants natural environment and this is very important.
·        Fertilizing
Feed your phalaenopsis orchid with fertilizer on a regular basis because most potting media have very little nutrients. The exact fertilizer you use will depend on the mix in which your plant is growing. A good common rule is to use a balanced fertilizer "weakly, weekly."( 10-10-10, 12-12-12 or similar ratio). That means, feed fertilizer every week at one quarter to one half of the recommended dilution.
·        Humidity
Phalaneopsis needs humidity 50 to 60 percent, at home, place plants on trays over moistened pebbles. In a greenhouse you have to use a humidifier if conditions are too dry, or by misting the plants with a small water sprayer. Or you can buy humidity trays from gardening stores but it’s much better and cheaper to just make your own.



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Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Moth Orchid


Tips for Moth Orchid Care
By Chairil Amin Umar

Moth Orchids



Phalaenopsis are also called moth orchids, because the flowers of some species look like flying moths. The most common orchids found in gardens and homes are moth orchids because their flower blooms can last from weeks to months. Moth orchids consist of a wide range of colors; yellows, pinks white, lavender and are arranged as arched sprays. What makes their popularity is because of their tolerance of temperature and light conditions in the average home.

The ideal temperature for moth orchids is between 55 degrees F to 85 degrees F. The temperature difference between the day and night is very essential for flowering and moth orchids flower best at daytime temperatures of about 75 degrees F and night time temperatures of about 60 degrees F. The best positioning for a moth orchid is near an east or west facing window where the plant will get the morning and evening sun, but it will be safe in direct midday sunlight.

You can also grow these moth orchids in a greenhouse, but you have to protect them with shade cloth. If your greenhouse is located in an area whose to little light, you can use fluorescent lights with the timer set to 10 hours lighting. Good air circulation is needed  by orchids and a low-speed oscillating fan, or ceiling fan, will be adequate.

Heavy watering may cause moth orchids killed, receiving a good drench is the best and then only watered again when the potting mix is nearly dry. Do not get any water on the flowers. You can use a pencil or your finder, to determine whether the media at the bottom of the pot is nearly dry or not as you don't want this area to be over-watered and rot the roots. The ideal humidity levels for moth orchids are  between 50% and 75%.

The best provision of humidity to your orchid plant, is by placing the pot on a shallow tray, containing pebbles, and filled with water. The ideal water level must not exceed the bottom of the pot or else capillary action will be sucked up into the potting mix, which will cause too damp for your plants. Feed your orchids with N:P:K fertilizer (liquid or slow-release), if your moth orchids are about to flower, use a fertilizer that has a higher phosphorus concentration. When the orchids bloom, stop feeding fertilizer to your orchid. Examine your plants regularly for pests and remove them with a soft cloth that has been dipped in soapy water. Common pests mostly consist of aphids , mites, mealybugs, and slugs.



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