TheNaturePlanet

Don’t throw away your Phalaenopsis orchid after it finishes blooming! Master these 7 care tips to not only help it recover quickly but also give it a chance to rebloom!

### **1. Pruning**
1. **Slant-cut the flower stem** 3-4 nodes above the base to preserve the nutrient transport channel of the flower spike. With suitable conditions, new flower buds will emerge in 6-8 weeks.
2. **Cut the stem flush with the base** to reduce unnecessary nutrient loss. This is ideal for beginners or weak plants.
*Tip*: Sterilize scissors with alcohol beforehand to avoid wound infection.

### **2. Watering**
1. Water only when the sphagnum moss surface turns white and hard. Water every 10-14 days in spring/autumn, 7-10 days in summer, and 15-20 days in winter.
2. Water in the morning on sunny days with room-temperature water, slowly soaking until it drains from the bottom holes of the pot.
*Tip*: Standing water causes root rot. Use a fan to air-dry the plant for 1 hour after watering.

### **3. Temperature**
1. Cool the plant with air conditioning or a fan if the temperature exceeds 32°C in summer, and keep it away from heat sources.
2. Move it indoors if the temperature drops below 10°C in winter. Cover it with a plastic bag at night for warmth and expose it to sunlight during the day for ventilation.

### **4. Diffused Light**
1. **3-4 hours of diffused light daily** is optimal. Place it on an east/west windowsill or behind a sheer curtain on a south-facing windowsill.
2. **Never expose it to midday sun**—sunburned leaves with black spots are irreversible 😭.

### **5. Fertilization**
1. Start 1 week after flowering: Use a 1000x diluted orchid-specific nutrient solution, watering the roots every 10 days to promote new root growth.
2. Switch to a potassium dihydrogen phosphate spray 7 days before reblooming to maximize flower induction.
*Tip*: Strong fertilizer burns roots—always underdose rather than overdose.

### **6. Repotting**
1. Perform 2-3 weeks after flowering during the root-active period.
2. Soak the sphagnum moss to soften it, then remove the plant and rinse its roots. Cut off black, empty, or rotten roots, keeping only white healthy ones. Wrap the roots with damp (not wet) new sphagnum moss and plant them in a transparent root-control pot.

### **Daily Care**
- **Regular Checks**: Inspect leaves weekly and address yellowing or softening immediately.
- **Leaf Cleaning**: Wipe dust off leaves with a damp cloth to enhance photosynthesis.
- **Avoid Moving**: Keep the plant in a fixed location—frequent relocations can cause bud drop!

In short, Phalaenopsis are not single-use plants. With dedicated care, they can rebloom year after year!