Phalaenopsis Orchid Plant

The Phalaenopsis is an orchid that has been see by the majority of people because it is usually the orchid that is featured in photos of orchids used for home decorating. The decorative orchid plants come in beautiful colors with a classic beauty so that is why they are seen on so many magazine pages. Often it is Phalaenopsis that is the first orchid that many people see.

The Phalaenopsis orchid has a beautifully arched spray of blooms. You can buy orchids and they can be used for the following:

• Growing orchids
• Home decorating
• Orchid plant gift giving
• Collecting orchids

Cut orchids can be used for corsages, floral arrangements, and table decorating. There are about 60 true species of the Phalaenopsis, which are all very beautiful. This type of orchid is native to tropical environments. This orchid plant has been extensively hybridized. The hybridization of the orchid has provided even more of a variety to the beautiful Phalaenopsis orchid blooms. The Phalaenopsis orchid blooms varieties include:

• Stark bright colors
• Classic white
• Jewel-like colors
• Pastel shades

If you want a low maintenance, tolerant plant, an orchid is probably not the plant to get. Orchid plants have some special care needs. To care for the Phalaenopsis orchid plant, you will want to start by putting the orchid plant in an east window area. The reason this is necessary is because the orchid will scorch easily. Phalaenopsis orchid can be in any window that is shaded. Grow lights can be used to grow an orchid anywhere in the house. An orchid that is in a grow period needs to be watched the plant can end up growing too close to the light and becoming scorched.

Some orchids have a large pseudobulb to store water, but the Phalaenopsis orchid grows from a single stem and doesn't have a pseudobulb. This is not a drought tolerant orchid type. The plant will need to be watered regularly, about once a week will keep the growing medium slightly damp.

It is the beautiful and unique blooms that attract growers to the Phalaenopsis orchid. Increasing the amount of fertilizer before the orchid is ready bloom helps promote healthy blooms. The Phalaenopsis usually blooms in late winter or early spring and has long lasting blooms on a single multi-branching flower spike. During blooming watering can be reduced to every other week.