How to care for your moth orchid?
Moth orchids are easy to look after and can continue growing – and flowering regularly – for many years with minimal maintenance. Just keep them warm, in good light, water regularly and re-pot every couple of years. Occasionally wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove any dust. One of the rarest colors of orchids is blue. Blue orchids are very popular with collectors and enthusiasts, but they are actually quite rare in nature. In fact, there are no well -known types of orchids that produce real blue flowers.Orchids have a special symbolism in many cultures, mostly representing beauty itself, but also love, perfection and refinement. Blue orchids, also called moth orchids in particular, have a special meaning, representing power, peace and spirituality.
Where is the best place to put a moth orchid?
Place in a warm position that receives plenty of indirect light and is away from draughts and air conditioning. A warm, brightly lit bathroom is an ideal location for a moth orchid. moth orchids grow best in bright, indirect light. Direct sun may actually harm the foliage. Ideal sites are east- and north-facing windows. Plants in a south window will need to be shaded with a sheer curtain.Place the Orchid in the Pot Gently ease the air roots into their natural growing position. This may include easing some roots through additional holes (as in an orchid pot). Avoid bending or compressing the roots as much as possible. Roots growing up or out should not be forced down into the pot.Position your orchid in a bright windowsill facing east or west. Weekly feeding with a fertilizer designed for orchids. Repotting in fresh orchid mix when your orchid stops blooming.Avoid overwatering which leads to the demise of many more orchids than underwatering. Constant wetness will cause the roots to rot, which leaves the plant without a means.
What is the lifespan of a moth orchid?
Phalaenopsis, or moth orchid, is one of the most common types grown as houseplants. Moth orchids are known to live for 15 to 20 years in good conditions. Dendrobium orchids are another popular species, which can live for 10 to 15 years. Most other common houseplant species have similar lifespans. How often to water orchids depends on the season and environmental conditions. Generally, they’re watered once every 7-10 days in winter and twice a week in summer. They shouldn’t go longer than 2-3 weeks without a drink. Remember that your orchid hates both overwatering and underwatering.Phalaenopsis are the most common orchids in the marketplace and are commonly known as “moth orchids. They usually have wide, flat, dark leaves that are arranged opposite each other. They carry long tall stems of wide flat flowers that can last up to three or more months.Most houseplant orchids like bright light, but not direct sun, such as on a north- or east-facing windowsill. They like regular watering and misting, preferably with rainwater or boiled water rather than tap water.In summary, whilst each scenario will be different depending on the growing environment, its generally a good idea to water your orchid every 7 to 11 days, or more specifically, when the mix the orchid is contained in gets dry. Too much watering can damage your plant and is the most common reason your orchid will die.The colour of the roots is the best indication for determining whether your orchid has sufficient moisture. If the roots are a healthy green colour, your orchid is sufficiently watered and doesn’t need any more water at this time. If the roots are greyish-white, your orchid isn’t receiving enough water.
What does an overwatered moth orchid look like?
You see yellow or brown roots OR hollow and flat roots This is usually a sign of too much watering. Be careful that you are watering in the right schedule for your orchid (about once a week), and that there is no remaining water sitting at the bottom of the pot. While orchids prefer a small pot—weaving their roots through the compost as they grow—they eventually run out of room. That’s when their roots push the plant up above the rim of the pot or reach out into the air, looking for breathing space—a sure sign that it’s time to re-pot.Myth #2: Watering Orchids With Ice Cubes Is Unnatural Many of these orchids are found in the rainforest, where they cling to trees and capture the water that falls from their leaves. Watering orchids with ice cubes mimics the slow drip of water from leaves in tropical climates where orchids grow.There are two ways to water orchids: submersion and watering from the top. Submersion involves placing the bottom quarter of the plant’s pot in lukewarm water for around an hour. You can add orchid fertiliser to the water, too, which the roots will absorb.Remedies. Adjust Watering Habits: Water only when the top inch of the potting medium is dry. Ensure the pot has adequate drainage. Repot the Orchid: Remove the plant from its pot, trim away all rotted, mushy roots with sterilized scissors or shears, and repot in fresh, well-draining orchid-specific medium.Over feeding an orchid will cause the roots to rot therefore killing it, the same with over watering. Orchids are very adaptable, as long as your care routine is consistent your orchids should face no issues.
Do moth orchids bloom all year?
Moth orchids typically initiate flowers in the cool temperatures of fall and bloom over the winter months. Providing all the proper environmental conditions, such as light, temperature, water and fertilizer, will allow the orchid to bloom. Phalaenopsis orchids are beautiful and prolific. If left alone, each spike produces five to 10 blooms at a time, and each flower can last up to three months. With a little care, however, you can coax even more flowers out of a Phal.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.Quite often, Phalaenopsis orchids will send up new leaves and new roots shortly before producing a new flower stalk, so if you’ve seen this happen, it may be an orchid spike. Whether it’s a new root or a new spike, when you see it emerge, keep the care for your plant consistent so that new growth can flourish.
How often do I water a moth orchid?
When it comes to watering your moth orchid, the “less is more” theory stands true. These beautiful flowers do not need much water and prefer their growing medium to have the opportunity to dry out completely between waterings, which can take about a week or so. Moth orchids thrive best in an east-facing window where it’s warm and humid, with temperatures between 60-80ºF. You can also place your orchid by a west-facing window as long as it’s not exposed to too much direct sunlight, especially during midday. They need bright light to bloom but can get burned by strong sun.If given the correct growing conditions, moth orchids are healthy and long-lived houseplants. But you may sometimes encounter the following problems: Lack of flowers – move the plant to a slightly cooler location, with a temperature about 5°C (8°F) lower, for a month or so. This should stimulate flowering.Most orchids need bright but indirect light, as too much sunlight can scorch the leaves. Keep them on an east- or west-facing windowsill from spring to autumn, but move your orchid to a south-facing windowsill for the winter months, when light levels are lower.Never let the plant sit in water. Tepid water is preferred, and it is best to water early in the day so the foliage dries by nightfall. Keep in mind that far more orchids are killed from over-watering than being too dry.