The right way to care for a Phalaenopsis Orchid Indoors.
In their natural habitat, they grow on trees and rock formations, instead of directly in the ground. There are over 25,000 different orchid species around the world, and over triple that number in cultivars and hybrids. The most popular, the Phalaenopsis Orchid, is one of the easiest varieties to grow indoors. It's even often times called the beginners orchid. They flourish best in bright, warm, humid spots. Indoors, they'll most likely bloom about once per year, for up two three months. After their blooming cycle is over, their flowers will wilt and fall off. Don't worry if your orchid's flowers are falling off, its just the plant's way of storing energy and saving it for the next flowering season (your orchid is not dying!)
Here are three different methods to water your Orchid (make sure to use them only when the potting medium is dry, about once every 1-2 weeks depending on the sunlight it's receiving).
1. Place 2–3 ice cubes in the surrounding potting medium.
2. Place the orchid's planter under running water for a few minutes, allowing excess water to drain out.
3. Soaking the orchid in water for 30 minutes to one hour (just the part with the planter, with roots and potting medium, not the foliage!).
They dislike dry air, so keep them in humid places. Tip: You can boost their humidity with a humidifier.
Potting Mix
Younger orchids can be planted in coco plug or sphagnum moss. They can stay in this potting medium for 1-2 years. When their roots & leaves have grown larger than the size of the pot: its time to give your orchid more space & fresh nutrients!
Larger orchids are potted in a bark media. This medium provides adequate airflow to keep its roots happy & healthy. Because orchids are epiphytes that grow on trees in their natural habitat, they need air in their roots, and any other potting mix won't provide it to them.
The most common problems in an orchid are: Drooping & wrinkling leaves (sign of underwatering), yellowing leaves (sign of overwatering or too much sunlight), leaf scorch (they've been exposed to direct sunlight or over-fertilizing)