Can I fertilize Phalaenopsis when it is blooming? How to deal with the flower sword after Phalaenopsis blooms?

1. Can I fertilize during flowering?

Phalaenopsis should be fertilized before flowering. The main fertilizers are phosphorus fertilizer and potassium fertilizer. It is recommended to dilute them before application and apply the fertilizer liquid so that the plant can absorb it better. However, please note that you should not apply fertilizer after the flowers bloom, as the flowers have accumulated enough nutrients to meet the needs of the flowering period. If it is applied, it will damage the root system, causing the flowering period to end prematurely and the flowers to fall easily.

2. How to deal with flower swords after flowering

1. Light pruning: After it blooms, you can choose to do light pruning, cutting it from the fourth or fifth node at the base of the flower sword. After two or three months of pruning, the plant can bloom again and you can enjoy the flowers again. However, this treatment also has disadvantages. It will consume a large amount of nutrients in the plant, which may affect its flowering next year and will not be conducive to its growth next year.

2. Heavy pruning: Heavy pruning means cutting off the entire flower stem directly after flowering, cutting it from the base. This can save a lot of nutrients and allow it to rest better so that it can bloom better next year. In this way, the flower color will be more colorful when it blooms next year, and the flowering period will be longer. The specific treatment method you choose depends on personal needs. If you want it to bloom twice a year, choose light pruning. If you want it to bloom better once, choose heavy pruning after flowering.