The Beautiful and Delicate Phal Orchids

Nowadays growing orchids at home has become very accessible and almost a sort of fashion for people all around the world. So these days, having an orchid is not the privilege of the rich and famous anymore.

There are so many different species and hybrids available everywhere, that everyone can easily afford growing orchids at home.

The most popular and common orchid that the majority of beginner orchid growers have at home is the Phalaenopsis orchid. If you look for orchid pictures on the internet the first to pup will probably be that of a Phalaenopsis orchid. You can find this type almost everywhere as a decoration element: in hotels, restaurants, at weddings and in the majority of homes.

The Phalaenopsis orchid is possibly the easiest to take care of and can quickly adjust to your indoor environment. This orchid alone has about sixty species and thousands of hybrids and many more are being discovered yearly. Just a few species to mention are: the Phalaenopsis amabilis, Phalaenopsis violacea, Phalaenopsis equestris.

Phal orchids like the eastern spots in the window, where the direct sun does not reach them. They have to get enough bright daylight though. Be careful about the room temperature. You should provide a temperature between seventy and eighty degrees Fahrenheit. If you notice that it is hotter in the room as usual, then your orchid will need more humidity. You can achieve this by regular sprinkling of the leaves or by placing a humidity tray under the pot.

The Phalaenopsis orchid has to be watered once a week, in hotter periods even twice a week. When its leaves are very dark green and the roots turn white, then it is probably not getting enough water. On the other hand if it is watered too much the leaves will become yellowish green. A healthy Phalaenopsis orchid has medium or light green coloured and very fleshy leaves.

It is also important to use the right type of fertilizer. You need to purchase a fertilizer soluble in water for your Phalaenopsis orchid. You need to apply the fertilizer weekly, before and at the beginning of the active blooming period. In winter you might consider fertilizing only once a month, or not at all.

Phalaenopsis orchids enjoy transparent plastic pots and they are not so sensitive regarding the potting media you use. You can plant them in bark, charcoal, or a pellet based mixture.

The Phal orchid's flowers are very delicate and they blossom in early spring or even in very late winter. There are some species that might bloom throughout the whole year several times. In the active blooming period you might have flowers in yellow, purple, white, green, pink colours.

Some hybrids can be made to blossom again, if you cut the stem back at the top. The Phalaenopsis has a monopodial growing system, with a main stem producing up to four or five fleshy leaves and beautiful flowers.

This orchid type will be probably the best choice if you are only at the beginning of your orchid growing "career" and they will surely bring their owners true pleasure.