Stop, your orchid isn’t dead...
The phalaenopsis orchid, also known as moth orchid, is the world's bestselling houseplant. It’s often thought that when an orchid drops its flowers, it’s dying—but in truth, it can rebloom for years with simple care.
'Phalaenopsis orchids were first discovered in the 1700s but didn't arrive in the UK until the 1800s, and after that, during Victorian times, there became a huge orchid craze,' begins plant expert Tony Le-Britton (@notanotherjungle) in the sixth episode of Plants With Impact. 'The flowers are magnificent and shaped like a moth, which gives it its name, phalaenopsis, which means moth-like.'
Native to Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and Australia, phalaenopsis (pronounced: fa-la-nop-sis) are epiphytic plants (they grow on trees, so they usually have a lot of air flow around the roots, which is why the pots have lots of holes) and produce the most beautiful cascade of colourful flowers. Loved for its vibrant hues and for exuding elegance and simplicity, it's no surprise that the moth orchid is a popular gift, whether as a new home present or for a special occasion.
The problem, however, is that orchids are often treated as cut flowers, so as soon as the flowers start to die, people tend to throw the plant out. 'It couldn’t be further from the truth,' says Tony. 'Just like other plants in our gardens, they’ll flower for a short period, and then after that, they’ll rest, recharge and rebloom for many years to come.
'In fact, I've got one of these at home which I've had blooming for 18 years. I was given it for my 16th birthday when phalaenopsis orchids were actually a lot more rare than they are today.'
Luxury Phalaenopsis (pack of 3)
£19.99 at gardeningexpress.co.uk
Phalaenopsis 'White Willd Orchid'
Large Purple Phalaenopsis Orchid in Ceramic Pot
You can get your phalaenopsis orchid to produce larger, longer-lasting blooms with the right care. Watch the video above for a step-by-step and follow this expert advice:
How to keep your phalaenopsis orchid happy
To enourage re-blooming
Once flowers start dropping, trim the stem close to the base to preserve the plant’s energy. The next thing to check is whether your moth orchid needs repotting – if the roots are filling the pot, then it's probably time to repot it. Snip off any roots that are dead. Then, allow the plant to recover, and when it flowers, you’ll get larger, longer-lasting blooms.
Light
'The most important thing for any plant is light, and orchids love bright light,' says Tony. Bright, indirect light, either early in the morning or late in the afternoon, is ideal. North-facing windowsills work well, as do east- or west-facing windows with diffused light.
Watering
Check your moth orchid once a week. Orchids usually come in a clear plastic pot, which allows you to see the roots: silver roots mean the orchid needs watering, while green roots mean they're hydrated.
To water, run under the tap to flood it through, then allow it to drain. Or fill the outer ceramic display pot with water and leave the plant to soak for about 10 minutes; tip out the water and drain well, as orchids do not like sitting in water.
Feeding
'Many people forget to fertilise their houseplants. If you want your orchid to bloom again, it's really important to do it,' says Tony. 'I use a balanced fertiliser that is high in nitrogen and phosphorus. Nitrogen is going to help with the leaf growth, and the phosphorus is going to help promote blooming.'
Feed every other watering. 'Put a scoop of fertiliser into your watering can and flush it through, just like when you water your plant. The next watering, flush it through with clean water to help prevent any build-up in the pot,' explains Tony.
'Help, I still can't get my orchid to bloom'
If you still can’t get your orchid to bloom again, try placing it somewhere cold at night, such as a cool windowsill or porch, to encourage reflowering.
'Professionally, when we grow orchids to get them to bloom, we drop the temperature by about 10°, and within a couple of weeks you'll see a new flower spike emerging from between the leaves,' says Tony. 'When you do get your new flower spike, there's no need to use the cane to support it—orchids will naturally drop down and arch over and you'll get a beautiful cascade of flowers.'
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