A
beautifully flowered phalaenopsis with three
spikes all in bloom! A close-up of the flowers is
shown above. A plant like this can easily be maintained
in a 5-6" pot for several years.
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FERTILIZER
Phalaenopsis
will
do well with regular fertilizing, but will suffer
if excess fertilizer is applied. As a rule of thumb, apply house plant fertilizer at half the strength recommended for
indoor plants. If you are
using a special orchid fertilizer, for phals
potted in a bark mix, use an orchid fertilizer with
a higher nitrogen content (such as 30-10-10). or a
'urea-free' formulation. For plants in a peat-based
mix, or sphagnum moss, use a standard 'balanced'
with a 20-20-20 formulation.
In
both cases, switch to a blossom inducing fertilizer (such as
10-20-10) once new leaves have matured, generally in the later
summer and continue to use this during flowering.
Alternatively, switch between fertilizers each time you feed. Fertilize
plants 2-3 times a month during the warmer months and 1-2
times per month during the winter when growth is slower.
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FLOWERING
Once
a flower spike emerges it will take a month or two to mature.
Stake this spike gently as it grows to ensure that the spike
gets some height before it produces buds. Continue
to give plants bright light. Also do not change their
orientation to the light once the first buds can be seen as this
will cause them to twist about and spoil the otherwise prefect symmetrical
display. Buds
will eventually emerge along the spike, and open in succession. Do
not subject
moth orchids to sudden temperature
changes as this may cause buds to drop. Make especially
sure plants do not dry out, as this may also also cause bud blast.
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Moth orchids are especially susceptible to small amounts of gas
often leaking from heating units etc. in the home. This can cause
the flowers to wilt and buds to drop. Basically if your plants
are setting buds, do not fuss with them, other than keeping them
well watered. When 3/4 of the buds have opened, you can move the
plants elsewhere to enjoy the display. Flowers can last for up
to three months. Once the flowering display is finished, cut off
the spike about an inch from the base of the plant. Please
see our general tips if your phalaenopsis will not bloom.
Continue to Part III
of this guide>
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