How to care for Phalaenopsis in winter

Phalaenopsis, with its elegant flower shape and long flowering period, has become a popular New Year flower in the flower market. But if you don’t know how to care for it, the Phalaenopsis orchid may wither quickly, or even die shortly after the New Year. Let’s learn about the winter care methods of Phalaenopsis.

1. Avoid frequent pot changes

Many people are eager to replace Phalaenopsis orchids after purchasing them because their original pots are not beautiful enough. However, Phalaenopsis orchids are very sensitive to repotting during the flowering period, because they consume more nutrients and grow fewer new roots at this time. Repotting can easily damage the root system, causing yellowing leaves and falling flower buds. Therefore, it is recommended not to change the pot during the flowering period. If you think the pot is not beautiful, you can put it in a beautiful pot for display. The best time to repot is after flowering.

2. Ensure adequate lighting

Although Phalaenopsis is shade-tolerant, if there are still unopened buds on the flower arrow, they need plenty of sunlight to induce the buds to bloom. It needs at least two to three hours of sunlight a day to keep the leaves green and the flower buds open properly. Phalaenopsis should be placed in a place with sufficient diffuse light, avoiding dark environments that may affect growth and flowering.

3. Reasonable control of watering

The aerial roots of Phalaenopsis can absorb moisture from the air, so the soil does not need to be too moist. When using sphagnum moss for maintenance, keep the moss moderately moist to avoid excessive watering that may cause root rot. Watering should be done when the sphagnum moss is dry and the roots are slightly wilted. After watering thoroughly, gently squeeze out excess water in the sphagnum moss to prevent moisture accumulation.

4. Add fertilizer at the right time

Phalaenopsis grows slowly, has a long flowering period, and requires more nutrients. If no fertilizer is applied during the growth and flowering period, the flower arrow may stop growing and the flower buds may not open normally. It is recommended to add diluted fertilizer when watering, or sprinkle slow-release fertilizer in the flowerpot to provide continuous nutrients to promote normal growth and flowering of Phalaenopsis.

5. Prune branches after flowering

After Phalaenopsis blooms, the flower arrows should be cut off in time to reduce nutrient consumption. Keep two or three centimeters at the bottom of the flower arrow and cut off the upper part. This will help the Phalaenopsis recover and lay the foundation for flowering next year.

To sum up, if Phalaenopsis is not properly maintained, its roots may rot and die. It needs to be properly root pruned and repotted, otherwise it may have to be discarded.