Hi, I'm Judy Mirro, a UVM Extension Master Gardener,
coming to you from the office
of UVM's Master Gardener Helpline.
And I'm here to help you become a Houseplant Hero
by providing some guidance on caring for your houseplants.
Today, our focus is on the Phalaenopsis orchid genus,
commonly referred to as the moth orchid,
or just plain old Phal.
Native only to regions of Asia,
scientists have found Phalaenopsis orchid fossils
that date back 100 million years.
Now, that's a plant with some staying power.
Well, there are nearly 60 true Phalaenopsis species.
There are now thousands of hybrids.
Phals are now mass produced because of it.
The prices are quite reasonable.
You can buy one of these beauties just about anywhere
you go.
In nature, these orchids grow on tree trunks and branches.
They hang or cling on the bark of trees
and send out the aerial roots.
You'll notice that a lot of Phals' aerial roots
can be growing outside of the container.
This is perfectly normal,
and whatever you do, don't cut the aerial roots off.
They're just reaching out
for some extra moisture and nutrients.
Phals have beautiful thick, green leaves when healthy,
and will bloom from spikes
that grow outta the base of their leaf.
It's important to look for these new spikes
so you can train them to grow upwards
or into any form you'd like
while it's still flexible and when not in flower.
Place a rigid, thin stake made of bamboo, wood or metal
besides the stem that needs the support.
Secure the stake loosely with small plastic clips.
I use plastic hair clips, twist ties,
and plastic, classic plant ties.
They all work great.
The spikes will give way to softly rounded blooms
that resemble a moth.
The blooms can be anywhere from one to six inches
in diameter,
and will vary in color from white, golden yellows,
to deep purples,
and pretty much every combination you can imagine.
Once your Phal is in bloom,
provided you've set it in the right place
and are providing it with just the right amount of moisture,
you should be able to enjoy gorgeous blooms
for about six months or longer.
This orchid will need lots of really bright,
filtered sunlight, water, and humidity.
If the leaves of your Phal become floppy and shriveled,
it's time to crank up the humidity and watering schedule.
Be sure to water once a week.
An easy method is to place your plant in a dish or pan
that's filled with warm water
and allow the orchid to soak it up for five to 10 minutes.
The aerial roots will turn from a dull silver
to a dark green
when you've applied enough water.
Allow the excess water to drain completely out of the pot
before placing it back on its saucer,
or else you'll encourage root rot.
You can even apply orchid fertilizer in the same manner.
As a general rule,
fertilize actively-growing orchids with an orchid fertilizer
according to the label directions,
or use a regular houseplant fertilizer at half-strength.
Skip fertilizing your Phals altogether during bloom time.
But when they are in recharge mode,
then it's time to fertilize every time you water.
Over-fertilizing your Phal will bring on beautiful,
lush green growth,
but at the expense of blooms.
Phals do really well under normal room temperatures
with bright, filtered light from a west window,
but I find they do best in an east window.
One of my most frequently asked questions about Phals is,
"How do I get them to bloom again?"
Well, here's three tips.
One, light exposure is important for re-flowering,
so find that east or west exposure to set your plant in.
Two.
Since Phals have a tendency to form new flowering branches
along their old flower spikes,
watch the old spike closely for signs of new buds
after the flowers have fallen off.
Don't rush to cut off that old flower spike.
It might just sprout a new flower shoot.
My third and favorite re-blooming hack:
move your plant outdoors and into a shady location
during the summer months.
Bring it back indoors when the nighttime temps
drop into the fifties.
You'll surely have blooms again.
Just remember, the orchids you'll find for sale
are likely clones,
super easy to grow and affordable.
Most Phals you'll find locally are not very fragrant,
but they will certainly look spectacular.
If you get the hang of growing these Phals,
you might wanna branch out
and try a few that are a tad more expensive,
but just as easy to grow.
Talk to your local greenhouse or garden center
to see what fragrant varieties they offer.
The one thing to remember
is that some grow much better in greenhouses,
so be sure to mention you're a home grower.
Remember, that by providing your plants with the conditions
and care they need, you too can be a Houseplant Hero.
For more information on house plants or home gardens,
visit the UVM Extension Master Gardener website,
and see our Garden Resources page,
or contact an Extension Master Gardner Volunteer
at the helpline.
The phone number is on the screen.
This is Extension Master Gardner, Judy Mirro,
wishing you happy growing.