How do I know what kind of orchid I have?

To identify orchids, you should know the basic anatomy of the plant. The shape and color of the flowers, stems and leaves help you decide what species you have. Wild orchids are also recognizable by their natural habitats, shapes, colors, and numbers of leaves, spikes, and flowers.

What is the most common type of orchid?

Phalaenopsis. Photo by Candie Ward. Phalaenopsis are the most common orchids in the marketplace and are commonly known as “moth orchids.” They usually have wide, flat, dark leaves that are arranged opposite each other. They carry long tall stems of wide flat flowers that can last up to three or more months.

What is the difference between phalaenopsis and dendrobium?

The key difference between dendrobium and phalaenopsis orchids is that Dendrobium orchids produce a flower that flourishes for up to six weeks while Phalaenopsis orchids produce a flower that flourishes for up to three months. Family Orchidaceae or orchid family is one of the largest flowering plant families.

Should I keep the plastic on my orchid?

Undoubtedly, clear plastic pots are better for your orchids, so if you don’t mind the look of them, just keep your orchid as it came. You can also compromise and place the plastic pot inside a nice planter to boost the look of your indoor plant ideas while the orchid is in bloom and not producing fresh roots.

What colors do phalaenopsis orchids come in?

Abundant flower colors observed in Phalaenopsis orchids range from red-purple, purple, purple-violet, violet, and violet-blue.

How do I know if I have a phalaenopsis orchid?

How do you spell phalaenopsis?

noun, plural phal·ae·nop·sis. any of various epiphytic orchids of the genus Phalaenopsis, native to tropical Asia, having clusters of showy, variously colored flowers.

What are white orchids called?

Phalaenopsis orchids
Phalaenopsis orchids, also known as white orchids, are stunning in every color, but there is something about a white variation of this flower that commands attention. With its large and showy blooms, it is no surprise why white phalaenopsis orchids are one of our bestsellers.

What does a phalaenopsis orchid look like?

Phalaenopsis are ‘low’ light orchids. They grow beautifully in an east window and can be grown in a south or west window if protected by a sheer curtain. A phal’s leaves should be olive green. If they are darker it means the plant is not getting enough light; red tinged leaves mean the plant is getting too much light.

What’s wrong with my phalaenopsis?

There are some diseases phalaenopsis are susceptible to, including bacterial soft rot, bacterial brown spot, collar rot and botrytis. Bacterial Infections. With bacterial soft rot, small water-soaked spots appear on the leaves and often are surrounded by yellow halos.

What do phalaenopsis orchids symbolize?

What Do Phalaenopsis Orchids Symbolize? These ornamental orchids symbolize beauty, elegance, and joy. Different flower colors can also symbolize fertility, happiness, and royalty.

When should I repot Phalaenopsis?

It’s best to repot Phalaenopsis orchids in either the spring or the fall, especially if you take them outdoors for the summer. If your plant hasn’t bloomed in a few years, Phalaenopsis orchid repotting is best performed in the spring.

How long does a Phalaenopsis orchid live?

So, just how long do phalaenopsis orchids live? Due to their popularity and low price, it’s not uncommon for people to throw them out after they have finished their flowering cycle. This is usually 2 to 3 months long. However, there have been reports of some living for over 100 years.

What to do with Phalaenopsis after it blooms?

After the flowers drop from the orchid you have three choices: leave the flower spike (or stem) intact, cut it back to a node, or remove it entirely. Remove the flower spike entirely by clipping it off at the base of the plant. This is definitely the route to take if the existing stem starts to turn brown or yellow.

What kind of pots are best for orchids?

An orchid should ideally live and grow in a plastic or terra-cotta grow pot. “Pots for growing orchids must have drainage holes or slits in the container to ensure your plant doesn’t get soggy, wet feet,” says Turner.

What is best potting mix for orchids?

Texas A&M University botanists, however, say their Phalaenopsis orchids thrive best in a potting mix that is 80% fir bark and 20% coarse sphagnum peat.

How many leaves should a Phalaenopsis have?

A healthy phalaenopsis orchid will have 3 to 5 leaves. In the home they rarely have more than 5 and 4 is more common. Once it reaches this mature size new leaves will grow while at the same time an old leaf falls off.

Do orchids like tight pots?

Orchids like to be snug in their pot and the ratio of roots to potting mix should be about equal. If an orchid is put into a pot that is too big for it, then there are not enough roots to take up the moisture that is being held by the potting mix and the mix stays wet too long.

Can I put an orchid in potting soil?

Gardeners new to orchid growing soon realize that healthy orchids don’t grow in regular potting soil. It’s too dense, doesn’t drain thoroughly enough, and most orchids actually grow in the air—the medium is just there to give the roots something to cling to.

Can you put orchids in glass containers?

Orchids cannot be grown in a glass container unless some guidelines are applied. The tall glass cone-shaped container is not appropriate for adequate airflow or relative humidity percentages. The lack of these two will speed up the rate at which roots and stem will rot, and your orchid has a slim chance of survival.

What month do you repot orchids?

Orchids generally need to be repotted once a year. The best time to repot is just after flowering, or when new growth appears. You’ll know it’s time to repot if any of these reasons apply to you: Your orchid has tightly tangled roots.