How long do phalaenopsis orchids last

If your container has drainage, you can run it through warm water every weeks, according to Mkrtchian. It may sound like too little liquid, but orchid roots hate to be soaked, so ice cubes provide the perfect amount of hydration.

Wondering how to tell when your orchid is thirsty? One of the most common household orchids, phalaenopsis orchid, start to look wrinkly in appearance when they're parched. In general, orchids don't need any "food" or fertilizer once buds form on the spikes. Like most of us, orchids thrive with a little bit of sun and a comfortable temperature.

They do best when the temperature inside is anywhere between 60 to 80 degrees and also like to stay close to the light. Direct sun can burn the leaves off the plant," Miller said. So going back to our original question, a phalaenopsis orchid has the potential to live for several years, potentially even decades. When you first bring your orchid home, be sure to create an environment in which it can thrive. Place the plant in an area where it will get plenty of bright, indirect sunlight like a north- or east-facing window.

Be mindful of temperature as well and avoid placing the orchid near any doors or open windows. As your orchid enters its resting phase , continue to water the plant on a weekly basis. The only exception is on those weeks where you fertilize your orchid — something that you should do once or twice a month. During the orchid resting period, you may notice your plant producing new buds at the end of the flower spike. The results have been excellent. For tap or well water, use Grow More fertilizer every other watering in the summer and every third watering in the winter.

Fertilize at the rate of one-half teaspoon per gallon. Phalaenopsis orchids are of a monopodial growth without any pseudobulbs to help store moisture. For this reason, it is important to provide good humidity. However, if the plant is kept wellwatered, it will adapt to a lower humidity. Commonly referred to as the "moth orchid," Phalaenopsis are one of the longest blooming orchid genera, producing flowers that last from 2 to 6 months before dropping.

Phalaenopsis have also been known to bloom 2 to 3 times per year once they have reached a mature size. After it has flowered the first time, cut the stem just above the node where the first flower bloomed. From the top node a new flower stem should emerge within 2 months. If there is no response or the flower spike turns brown, cut it off near the base of the plant where it emerged. Because the Phalaenopsis is watered frequently, the potting breaks down about once per year.

Spring or fall is considered the best time to repot because the temperature is generally mild, preventing shock. Simple enough, except that is not the end of your water tasks. Orchids may like dry roots but they also need a very humid environment to make up for the lack of water in their pots. If you are not sure, you can get a small hygrometer to measure humidity.

Winter seasons can be the driest indoors, so watch closely once the colder weather hits. You can try any of the usual methods to up the humidity, like daily mistings or keeping a dish of water nearby with small stones to speed up the evaporation.

For a more serious orchid enthusiast, a humidifier in the room can also do the trick. You may just be curious about how long the orchid blooms last , rather than the lifespan of the entire plant. Most orchids will come into flower once a year , and their colorful blossoms can easily last for weeks, or even months.

Some newer hybrids have repeated bloom cycles in a year, and some will even flower continuously. While we are on the subject of flowering, you should know that you have to do a little environmental tweaking to get your plants to bloom because they need seasonal changes to start the cycle. You have to let the temperature drop considerably overnight to get orchids to flower, sometimes as much as 10 to 15 degrees. If you want to have an orchid that lives for a long time, it would be best to choose one that is fairly easy to grow.

And in that case, you do have a few good choices available. The most common and easiest to grow type of orchid is the moth orchid, also known as Phalaenopsis.