If you’ve ever wanted to grow an orchid, this is the one for you. Phalaenopsis are my absolute favorite houseplant because they are very easy to grow and have some of the most beautiful flowers you will find on Earth. They are most commonly found with white, pink, purple, or yellow flowers and in innumerable combinations of colors and patterns. They bring elegance to your home like no other plant can.
Phalaenopsis bloom on what is called a “spike”. The spike originates from between two leaves somewhere on the base of the plant and takes a very long time to develop. The length of time it takes for a spike to begin growing until the time the first flower opens depends on the temperature of the room, and can be anywhere from 70 to 100 days. When you see that the plant has started to spike, do not move it from its position (except to water) until the last flower has opened or the buds may “blast”, or fall off without opening.
Many people like to stake the flower spike of their orchids. I usually do this because if too many flowers develop, they can become so heavy as to snap the spike. The spike will be pretty flexible for quite a while, so it will be easy to stake. I recommend waiting to stake until the first flower bud has swelled to the size of a small marble, to prevent the spike from distorting. As the flowers open, the spike will harden and begin to feel like a stick or thin tree branch.
Most people purchase their orchid in bloom, and then don’t know what to do when the flowers have all fallen off. Simply cut the spike off a few centimeters from where it has emerged from the plant. Be sure to use a sharp, sterilized cutting tool to avoid any diseases, and you can sprinkle the wound with cinnamon to act as a fungicide.
Grow your Phalaenopsis on a northern windowsill (southern if you are in the southern hemisphere) to give it enough light to bloom again. Some bloom once a year, but others will bloom for you twice. Be patient: it is so worth the wait!
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