Phalaenopsis or the true Aphrodite phalaenopsis is a rare species of plant with a girth in comparison to its length. The leaves are large and oval with dark green color on the upper surface with a cream color on the underside. The flowers are a creamy white. The plant orchid grows up to fifteen inches tall and has a spreading root system.
Growing orchids is a serious hobby because these exotic plants can cause an increase in humidity by evaporating water quickly and easily. Aphrodite orchid requires a lot of attention from its owner. This is because it does not tolerate being planted in the same spot repeatedly. An orchid enthusiast who is new to this kind of gardening should first get advice from an experienced friend. One should always start with small orchid plants for the first two years before attempting larger orchid species.
All orchid species like a well drained orchid bed soil that is rich in nutrients and contains good drainage. The orchid plant needs the proper lighting. This could be through a traditional light bulb or fluorescent lamps. Another option would be to use lights that have been specially designed for orchids. Whether you are growing Aphrodite phalaenopsis or another type of orchid plant, it is important to keep the plant well watered all the time.
Most orchids require protection from wind or too much heat. This is because the leaves and buds of these plants are very delicate and can easily get damaged by too much frost or rain. The leaves are also susceptible to too much sun. An orchid plant or pot can be placed in a window facing the east or south for best results.
It is important to monitor the phalenopsis orchid plant during the day. The sunlight should be about six to eight hours, but never more than ten hours. If you are concerned about morning light damage then you can use a dark room filter to reduce the amount of light reaching the plant. Just be sure the filter is placed far away enough that the orchid plant won’t touch it.
The orchid plant should be moved at least once a year, but more often in extreme weather conditions. The roots will need to have room to expand during the year. If the climate is too cold the root system may freeze and die. If the climate is too warm the roots will get burned up. Moving the orchid plants during their growing season is much easier on the health of the orchid.
If you live in a humid environment then you may find that the Phalaenopsis orchid plant takes more time to grow. If this is the case then you might want to try an indoor orchid. These types of orchids like the moist conditions that exist in a humidifier. Some types of orchids like the dryness better, so they should be planted in a pot or container.
Once you have decided what type of Phalaenopsis orchid you would like to grow, you should have an idea of how many orchids to plant. This will help you when it comes to watering them. Watering your plant too much can lead to wilting and root rot. Check with the plant department at your local nursery for advice on the optimum number of orchids you can have growing in your home.
After your orchid plant has grown to an appropriate size for your requirement, you need to get them established. You can do this by putting the orchid into a large pot, covering it with some soil and placing it in the sun. The roots should start to expand and the orchid will soon be visible above the soil. You can then put your plants into separate pots, but you should make sure that the orchids are placed tightly in order to avoid losing the orchid leaves. If you are growing multiple orchids then you need to place each plant in a separate pot.
When your orchid plant starts to develop leaves then you will need to give them time to acclimatize to the sunlight. This process can take several days but it is important as the leaves can sometimes become heavy. Your next step is to repot your orchid plant. Water your orchid once a week but make sure that the water doesn’t become too watery. Repotting is also important as it allows your orchids to have access to air and light. It is also easier to remove the leaves of your orchid plants during this stage.
Once your orchids begin to bloom then they will need to have the space in which to grow. Grow the orchid in a hanging pot and use some type of potting media. Aphrodite Phalaenopsis orchids are an ideal plant to start orchid growing in and the best thing about them is that they are extremely easy to care for.