Phalaenopsis - Moth Orchid Care

The season is changing, the nights are cooling down, and that means Orchids will soon be in the stores. So it's time to look at some Phalenopsis care.

Many specialty growers have added phalaenopsis orchids to their product line. Currently, there are two seasons for orchid sales. The winter months you'll see the phalaenopsis or the "Moth Orchid" and the spring brings us Dendrobiums. The phals start making their way into the stores in December. You'll find flower colors of white and pink, but also yellows, candy stripes, speckles, and many new colors and forms never before available. So, take a stroll through the tropical area of your favorite "indoor store" and keep on the look out for Phalaenopsis.

A Little Background

Orchids are from the family - Orchidaceae.  Although, many people seem to think of orchids as rare and exotic, they are a huge family of plants second only to grasses in numbers of different types. There are wild orchids growing in temperature climates in just about every part of the world, even the Yukon, except where there is permafrost.

There are over 800 genera and 30,000 species of orchids that grow throughout the world, and three times as many hybrids exist. They are not parasites as some believe and get their nourishment from the rain and dew. Most of the real showy type varieties (usually the kind you'll find in the stores) are epiphytes. They grow on trees and rock faces in the tropics where the temperature and humidity is high.

What to Look For

Becuse of the new availability of orchids in the stores (and lower cost), many people will be making their first orchid purchase this year. Here are a few things to look for when buying a plant:

The Plant

• Should be in proportion to the container.
• The foliage should be clean, unblemished, medium green in  color and free of any visible pest. Remember some of the leaves have a mottling that is natural.
• There should be roots in the growing media.

The Flowers

• Should be held well above the foliage on a strong, well-supported spike. Many growers use a bamboo stake to help in shipping.
• Free of any unnatural spotting
• Still have some buds to open. You will never be able to judge the flower life on your plant after all the flowers have opened.
• Make sure it fits your decor. Bathrooms with the high humidity is a great place for orchids.