Phalaenopsis potted plant maintenance method

Phalaenopsis orchids have large, brightly colored flowers that resemble flying butterflies. They are very popular potted flowers , and many people have them in pots at home. Here are some tips on caring for Phalaenopsis potted plants .

1. Pot soil selection

Phalaenopsis potted plants can generally be made in large-diameter clay pots or plastic pots. It is best to moisten the selected pots before planting. The substrate should be a well-drained, loose soil, which can be mixed with bark , expanded clay, charcoal, etc.

2. Soft Lighting

Do not expose Phalaenopsis potted plants to direct sunlight; instead, give them more soft, diffuse light. Of course, Phalaenopsis cannot be kept under light for a long time. It is necessary to supplement it with more soft light. In winter, if the temperature is below 24 degrees and the light is particularly soft, you should even give it more direct light. In summer, you must provide shade for maintenance. When the weather turns cooler in autumn, you need to give it more light.

3. Temperature requirements

Phalaenopsis belongs to the tropical high-temperature orchid genus. It likes warmth and cannot tolerate severe cold, so the suitable temperature for its growth is between 18 and 30 degrees. When the temperature drops below 15 degrees in winter, the plant enters a dormant state, and the leaves begin to turn yellow and fall off; when the temperature drops below 10 degrees, the entire plant can easily die. But the temperature cannot be too high either. Reaching 35 degrees will affect the normal growth of Phalaenopsis.

4. Watering tips

Phalaenopsis likes humidity and dislikes dryness, drought or waterlogging. In normal maintenance, the soil in the pot should be slightly moistened. Watering should be based on the principle of not watering unless the soil is dry, and watering should be thorough. Especially in hot summer, while keeping the soil moist, the plants should be sprayed with water in time to increase the humidity in the air.

5. Apply thin fertilizer frequently

When fertilizing Phalaenopsis, apply thin fertilizers frequently and avoid applying concentrated and raw fertilizers as they can easily burn and rot the roots. During late spring and early summer, Phalaenopsis is in its peak growth period when new roots and leaves grow. Apply nitrogen and potassium fertilizers once a week. Apply less fertilizer in summer and once every half a month in autumn. Before Phalaenopsis blooms, in order to promote the formation of spring flowers and buds, it is necessary to apply additional phosphorus and potassium fertilizers such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate. After entering the flowering period, fertilization should be stopped.

6. Do a good job of pruning

After the Phalaenopsis orchid has finished blooming, the withered flowers should be picked off as soon as possible to avoid affecting the opening of other flowers; after the flowers have all withered, the pedicels should be cut off and you can continue to water and fertilize to maintain it so as to reserve sufficient nutrients for the flowering period next year; the Phalaenopsis orchid has a long inflorescence, large flowers, and tall peduncles. In order to prevent the flower stalks from falling over and affecting the ornamental value, they must be tied with supports.

7. Pest and disease control

Common diseases of Phalaenopsis include leaf spot, root rot and anthracnose, which can be controlled by spraying and root irrigation with 1000 times diluted thiophanate-methyl or sterilization clear.

That’s it