Phalaenopsis orchids are tropical plants, growing in the jungle attached to tree trunks and branches. Their aerial roots collect humidity from the air, which is crucial for their survival. In the rainforest, the normal air humidity is between 77 and 88%. This high numbers are naturally hard to mimic under indoor conditions! For your house […]
How to Plant Orchids in Coconut Husk
Good orchid potting medium is key to keeping orchids successfully. Luckily, there are many options to choose from these days! One great potting medium for Phalaenopsis orchids is coconut husk chips. It’s a sustainable option, and great if you want the potting medium to retain water for a longer time than bark pieces. Remember, there’s no […]
Why are my orchid’s leaves drooping?
Every orchid enthusiast has encountered the problem of drooping orchid leaves at some point. Perhaps it is your very first orchid that is now showing these signs after only a few months of purchase. Or maybe you couldn’t resist the sad-looking orchid on the clearance table, calling your name to be rescued. Or perhaps you’re […]
Phalaenopsis Orchid Water Culture
This might come as a surprise to some people, but Phalaenopsis orchids can also be kept in water-only. It goes against the rule-of-thumb to never leave orchids in standing water for long periods of time. There’s a specific science behind this method. Even though a controversial topic at times, dividing opinions for and against! But […]
What You Need for Keeping Indoor Orchids
Phalaenopsis orchids make a great hobby! Not only are they the easiest orchid type to care for. But they’re also affordable and widely available nowadays! There is something captivating about these magical plants. When you have one, you want another and another – quickly becoming a full-blown hobby! As with all hobbies, it is advisable […]
How to water an orchid
I still remember when I brought my first orchid home; a white phalaenopsis orchid rescued from a dumpster. I had no idea how to water it. And as I started to look into it, I felt overwhelmed and discouraged. For a moment, I thought maybe orchids aren’t for me, as I don’t like plants that […]
How to save orchid flowers
Many first-time orchid owners panic when they see the flowers whither or the flower spike starting to turn yellow. “Help, my orchid is dying!” Well, I have good news for you; your orchid isn’t dying. What’s happening is totally natural. Flower spikes aren’t your orchid—your orchid is the leaves, crown, stem, and the root system. […]
Do Indoor Orchids Need Artificial Growth Lamps?
The Phalaenopsis orchid is a tropical plant, which grows in the rainforest with plenty of natural sunlight. However, it’s not the most light-demanding orchid in the orchid family (“Orchidaceae”). It’s considered as a “low light” orchid, thriving in bright shade. ‘Bright shade’ does not equal to dim conditions though; the Phalaenopsis orchid still needs enough […]
Can I leave my orchids outside?
As an indoor grower, I have often wondered would my orchids do better outside. Would a more natural environment make the plants flourish more? What are the dos and don’ts? What to take into consideration when planning to put the orchids outside – or is it even for everyone? Is it necessary? Who can do […]
What soil to use for orchids?
Orchids require a different type of potting medium than what our typical houseplants do. This is because orchids are epiphytes, aka ‘air plants’, which live on the surface of other plants, trees, and even rocks. Typical houseplants are terrestrial plants—plants that grow from the ground. They are therefore potted in normal potting soil. If an […]