Sunday, December 31, 2017

Growing Beautiful And Delicate Moth Orchids

By Donald Evans


When you see orchids in the window, you might think that something so delicate must be hard to take care of. In fact, growing beautiful and delicate moth orchids is actually quite easy, if you know a few basic rules. This lovely plant is native to Australia and southeast Asia, and today is highly popular all over the world. With its five or six floppy leaves and elegant, long spike full of attractive large flowers, it is really decorative.

These lovely large flowers may have up to four inches in diameter, and come in all different colors and color variations. The spike is usually up to 18 inches long, an carries several flowers. It is usually only one spike at the time, but larger plants may have a few spikes, each carrying a few flowers. In any case, the plant is quite attractive, and really popular.

If you aren't sure if your plant is really a phal, ask someone experienced or try to check it on the Internet first. Different types of orchids require different types of care, and it's better to be sure about it. Moths prefer temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees and indirect or filtered sunlight. Direct sun could burn their leaves. The best place for keeping your moths is the east window.

Moths prefer indirect or diffused light. Direct light can be quite dangerous for them, and it might burn their leaves. Early morning sun is the best for them. On the other hand, if your orchid doesn't receive enough light, it probably won't re-bloom soon enough. If it doesn't re-bloom for six months or so, it's probably because it doesn't get enough natural light.

You can use plastic or ceramic pot, filled with orchid bark mix. The important thing is not to use potting soil here, because orchid's roots need to be adequately aerated, and they should never stay in water. This means that substrates that dry easily are the best option, and, since there are some designed especially for orchids, you should choose such. Pot should have large holes on the bottom.

Water your plant once a week, but make sure that it is really needed. If the soil is still wet, skip the watering. Over-watering is more dangerous for this lovely plant than under-watering, so keep that in mind. Water it until water comes out of the holes in the pot, but not over or in between the leaves. Use room temperature water only.

Fertilize the orchid once a month, with appropriate orchid fertilizer that doesn't contain urea. Urea might damage the root tips, and other sources of nitrogen are better for this purpose. Dilute the fertilizer in the water first, and use milder solution that the one that is recommended. Make sure that this solution doesn't touch the leaves.

Keep the temperature in the room in between seventy and eighty degrees, your orchid will be pleased about it. During the night, the temperature should never be lower than sixty degrees. When buying your orchid, make sure to check the roots. If they are brittle and very hard, the plant will probably not survive, and if they are really squishy, it was over-watered. This plant may be saved if you trim those roots and re-pot the plant.




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