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Plant Phal

Plant Phal

Can you help me with my miniature orchid?

I put it in direct sunlight and now the blooms are fading. Should I prune the plant now, and how is this best done? It is a very small plant with only one "spike" that had two blossoms on the end of it.(Phal. Sogo Gotris)
Thank you.
So, did the direct sunlight "kill" the blooms?

Phalaenopsis Orchids are best with only indirect sunlight, though they do need bright indirect light to keep growing new flower buds. I don't think the sun killed the flowers, they just don't last forever, though the heat may have meant it dried out a little quicker. I gave one to my old biology teacher, on her 60th birthday, and it flowered, almost non-stop, for 7 years, so yours could really be a great performer for you, and last a long time.

The main tip that I have, other than keeping it in bright indirect light, is to keep the air around it humid, as they like humid air. If you stand your pot onto some pebbles, in a dish that it's standing on, this will evaporate through the day around your plant and will help it thrive. Never let its roots stand in water though, as this will cause root rot.

Use clean rain water to water, as tap water has chlorine etc that will stress your plant. Allow the top of the pot to dry a little, and then submerge the pot in the water for 5-10 mins, giving it a good soak, and then allow the excess to drain off - thus not letting the roots have too much water around them for long periods.

You can add a specialist Orchid plant feed that contains all the nutrients that they need to grow, that aren't sometimes in the right mix with general feeds. This can be added at quarter or half strength every time you water, or just feed according to the instructions. Feed them less, if at all, in winter time.

They do like warm conditions, so ensure that your surroundings are warm for it, though a temperature drop at night helps initiate new flower buds too. A low of 55 at night, though typically 60-65F, and daytime 70-80/85F is great for them. The lower of 55F at night, for a few days, will help the flower bud formation.

It's best to leave flower stems to die fully, as they typically form side shoots from them, with more buds, once the main flowers have finished. When it turns brown and starts to dry it can be removed fully.

Hope this helps. Good luck! Rob

Phalaenopsis Repotting - Orchid Care

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