Caring for Phalaenopsis Orchids: The Five Essentials

Phalaenopsis thrive when five conditions are met: light, temperature, water, humidity, fertilizer, plus occasional repotting.

Light

Full day of bright, indirect light. Indoors: bright window, no direct sun. Greenhouse: 75–85% shade. Hand test: no shadow 12" above plant. Artificial: 4-tube fluorescent, 40W, 12" up, 1,000–1,500 fc for daylight hours.

Temperature

75–85°F ideal. Tolerates 95°F with higher humidity/airflow. Keep above 60°F. Cool autumn nights (several weeks) trigger flower spikes. Stabilize temps when buds form to prevent blast.

Water

No water-storage organs—never let dry out completely. Water thoroughly, then allow slight drying. Summer: every 2 days. Winter: 7–10 days. Humidity affects frequency.

Humidity

60–80% with air movement. Indoors: humidity tray works well.

Fertilizer

Warm weather: biweekly at full strength or every watering at ¼ strength. Winter: biweekly at reduced strength.

Repotting

Spring after flowering. Porous mix. Every 1–2 years while maturing; mature plants only when medium decomposes. Soggy medium causes root rot.