What do I do with a Phalaenopsis orchid after the last blossom is gone?

I saved this poor but beautiful orchid from walmart a while back, followed the instructions, looked it up on the web...and still dont know how to care for it after is is done blooming or how to get it to bloom again. I know they are a winter blooming plant. It is a gorgeous white and purple flower and would love for it to bloom again. Shaz

What do I do with a Phalaenopsis orchid after the last blossom is gone?
Keep your Phalaenopsis in a bright and warm place by the window. Avoid south or west-facing window (unless you have curtains to filter the light). If the potting mix moist, but never soggy. If the orchid is planted in moss, give it a cup of water whenever the moss has dried out. That should be every 1 or 2 weeks. Never allow water inside the crown (center, where new grow begins). That will definitely kill your Phalaenopsis. Overwatering also kills them. You can fetilize it with a balanced orchid fertilizer at half the dosage thats on the label every time that you water. If the plant is healthy (3 leaves or more), cut the flower spike down to the next node. New buds should grow from the node in 3-4 months. If it's not, you should cut the spike down to 1 inch from the base. It will grow a new spike within a year. For more information, go to www.orchids.com. There are culture sheets for the different orchids. Growing orchids can be very rewarding. Happy growing!
Reply:I have about 5 Phalaenopsis or Moth orchids myself. The largest one is almost constantly in flower. They love bright but indirect light, humidity, and only occasionally fertilize it at half strength. To increase humidity, place it on a pebble tray with a bit of water. Mist the plant (but not the flowers) every other day. I water mine once a week during the winter months to twice a week during the hot dry days of summer. Hold your orchid over the sink and let the water pour through until it is compeletely soaked. Moth orchids in the wild grow on tree branches and trunks and are used to downpours but do not sit in pools of water (will rot their roots). Fertilize at half strength every 3rd or 4th watering. My orchids tend to bloom in early spring and autumn. When they finish flowering, I cut the flower stalk back to about 2 or 3 "nodes" back (the stalk should be a healthy colour) and with luck a new stalk will sproud from one of those nodes. Other new ones will also appear at the base between the leaves. Good luck!
Reply:Just continue to care for it the way you have been. Make sure it is in a well ventilated area (they like a light breeze) and have lots of indirect light (straight sunlight will fry them, but dappled light suits them fine) and continue to mist them.


Sounds goofy, but the best place to put it for the summer months is in the bole of a tree, or fasten it to the tree trunk. so it gets the mixed shade and sun, gets circulating air, and if you live in a dry climate, you can mist it regularily. Phalaenopsis orchids are beautiful and they will continue to grow for years. We've had ours for over 15 years and they are still producing.

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