phalaenopsis winter care

5 Tips For Orchid Care in Winter Months

Give your Orchid Enough Light. You can extend the life of your orchid by making sure it's getting enough light during shorter winter days. ...
Watch for Drafts. ...
Keep Your Orchid Away From Dry Heat. ...
Check Your Orchid's Roots. ...
Increase the Humidity.

How do you keep orchids alive in the winter?

During the winter, flowering orchids brighten well-lit windowsills. On cold nights, it's a good idea to move plants away from the window or use bubble wrap as insulation between the pane and the plants.

What do you do with orchids in the winter?

Keep plants drier in winter. The warm-growing species will grow throughout the year and need regular watering during the winter, but do not allow them to become waterlogged.

How do you care for a phalaenopsis orchid indoors?

Here are the basic care requirements for a Phalaenopsis orchid care:

A moderately bright windowsill or similar spot to grow in.
Watering when it begins to dry out, usually every 7 to 10 days.
Fertilizing with a fertilizer made for orchids.
Repotting when the bloom is finished with fresh orchid mix.

How cold can phalaenopsis tolerate?

Phalaenopsis will be strongly induced to bloom by temperatures in the mid 50's (12-13C). A few exposures to temperatures below 60F (15C) will produce the desired spikes and thereafter the plants will be happiest if they are kept above 60.

How do you not kill an orchid?

8 Ways to Kill Your Orchid

Water it every day. ...
Establish a watering schedule for your orchid. ...
Water your orchid whenever you water your other plants. ...
Water your Phalaenopsis orchid with ice cubes. ...
Find out where your orchid is native to and water it when the Weather Channel says it's raining there.

What is the best room temperature for orchids?

Orchids prefer daytime temperatures of 75 °F or more and nighttime temperatures of 65 °F or more. In winter time, this is not always practical to achieve temperatures quite this warm; however, efforts need to be made to not allow blooming orchids to be exposed to temperatures significantly colder than this.

How cold is too cold for an orchid?

Generally temperatures between 50° and 80° F (10° to 27° C) are ideal for orchids; but occasional brief periods of temperatures above 100 F (38 C) or drops even into the 30s (0 C) will not harm most orchids as long as no frost forms on the leaves. Cold injury includes damage from temperatures above and below freezing.

Do orchids like bathrooms?

Because orchids are native to tropical climates, they love humidity and will thrive in the steamy confines of a bathroom. Just be sure that they have minimal sunlight (a skylight or small bathroom window should be enough to keep them happy).

Do orchids die and come back?

All of this is normal. Your orchid is not dead! The plant is simply going through a natural period in its life cycle called dormancy. This dormant stage allows your orchid to rest and renew its energy before blooming again into a profusion of gorgeous new blossoms.

How many years do phalaenopsis orchids live?

So, just how long do phalaenopsis orchids live? Due to their popularity and low price, it's not uncommon for people to throw them out after they have finished their flowering cycle. This is usually 2 to 3 months long. However, there have been reports of some living for over 100 years.

Do you water orchids from the top or bottom?

When you water, water thoroughly: The water should pour out from the bottom of the pot. ... Never let the pots of orchids sit in water for over a few hours: If the orchid pots have saucers, make sure to keep them free of water.

How long does it take for a phalaenopsis orchid to rebloom?

Phalaenopsis are among the few orchids that will rebloom in home conditions. The spike should be cut between the scar that's left by the first flower and the last node (that little lump) on the stem. One of the lower nodes will then initiate and produce flowers within eight to 12 weeks.

Can I put my phalaenopsis outside?

Phalaenopsis orchids are hardy in zones 10 to 12, where they can be grown outdoors in warm, humid conditions that are damp but not soggy, in a location that is shady but bright (no direct sun).

How long does it take for orchids to rebloom?

It takes a month or two, or even several months for Phalaenopsis orchids to rebloom. Many other varieties of orchids bloom annually. The anticipation and eventual reward of an emerging flower spike bedecked with tiny buds are so exciting.

How do I make my phalaenopsis bloom?

Phalaenopsis orchids are triggered to bloom by temperature. A few cold nights are necessary to stimulate a flower spike. For many people, this means the plants will bloom in the fall when household temperatures can drop as much as 10 degrees overnight.

What to do with orchids when they stop flowering?

After the flowers drop from the orchid you have three choices: leave the flower spike (or stem) intact, cut it back to a node, or remove it entirely. Remove the flower spike entirely by clipping it off at the base of the plant.

Should orchid roots be exposed?

If the orchid air roots are firm and white, they are healthy and you don't need to do anything at all. Just accept that this is normal behavior. According to orchid experts, you should definitely not remove the roots. ... Either way, don't cover the roots because they may rot.

Do orchids need to be in clear pots?

The orchids we've seen grow the best are often growing in what appears to be ridiculously small pots so resist the urge to 'pot up' any more than is absolutely necessary to hold the roots. Clear plastic pots make it easy to see the roots and to see when to water.

Where is the best place to keep an orchid in the house?

An ideal place for the orchid to live is in a room that stays at a consistent temperature through the day, away from drafts, fruit and where it can receive indirect sunlight.

Do orchids go dormant in winter?

Much like mammals hibernate, orchids spend a period of their life cycle dormant or resting. Dormant orchids usually lose their flowers and leaves in the winter months to prepare for blooming in the spring and summer.

How long do orchids live for?

With good care and regular maintenance, an orchid plant may live for a lifetime — 100 years, or more.