It’s well known that Phalaenopsis orchids are stunning — their blossoms look like butterflies in flight, which is why they’re nicknamed “fairy flowers.” With so many varieties available, they’re a popular choice for many households.
When it comes to care, Phalaenopsis are sensitive to cold, heat, and dryness. This can be a problem for people living in densely packed urban neighborhoods, where airflow is poor and the air is dry — the roots can easily get damaged and shrivel up, and if you don’t address the issue quickly, the plant may die.
Humidity Control
Since Phalaenopsis orchids are native to tropical rainforests where the environment stays humid year-round, they prefer an air humidity of 60–70%. If you live in a dry northern region, it’s best to keep a humidifier running during autumn and winter, or place a shallow tray of water near the plant so it can slowly raise the surrounding humidity.
Many growers like to mist their orchids, but this isn’t actually the best way to increase humidity — what really works is water vapor, not droplets. While misting can temporarily reduce dryness, droplets that stay on the leaves for too long can encourage fungal diseases. If you do mist, try wrapping the leaf base with gauze first so water doesn’t collect there.
Fertilizing Tips for Beginners
Fertilizing is another area where many beginners make mistakes. Phalaenopsis orchids are in their active growing season from April to September. During this period, feed them twice a month with a balanced orchid fertilizer diluted to a 1:2000 concentration — stronger fertilizer can burn the roots.
Once the plant starts producing flower spikes, switch to potassium dihydrogen phosphate fertilizer diluted to 1:1500, applying it once a week. This promotes healthy spike development and more abundant blooms. However, stop fertilizing once the flowers open — during bloom, the plant needs to rest, and continued feeding may shorten the flowering period.
In addition to proper watering and bright indirect light, keeping humidity in the right range and fertilizing on schedule will help your orchid grow stronger and extend its flowering season.
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