Finding Your Ideal Hobby

Seven secrets for growing phalaenopsis orhids, as an ideal hobby

At times, finding your ideal hobby involves learning the secrets of something unique, like how to grow phalaenopsis orchids. Growing phalaenopsis orchids can be a rewarding and an exciting hobby, because they are beautiful and exotic flowering plants. The blossoms are truly exquisite and remain on the plants for several months at a time, if left undisturbed. Everyone will fall in love with them and marvel at how you managed to grow anything so beautiful.

Here are seven secrets with respect to growing phalaenopsis orchids, as your ideal hobby.

First, place the orchids in a window facing east, where there is filtered light. The room temperature should remain at approximately sixty-five to seventy degrees, although the plants may do well, even at a lower temperature.

Do not water the phalaenopsis orchids more than once a week or leave the plants in standing water, for any length of time. Phalaenopsis orchids originate in South America, where they tend to grow on trees. Once in a while, they will receive a lot of rain, but that water evaporates quickly. Water only the medium in which they are planted, not the plants. Let the water sit in a container for at least twenty four hours before watering, so that it is room temperature and any chlorine will have evaporated.

Fertilize the phalaenopsis orchids approximately once a month. Use a good quality, well balanced, orchid fertilizer. Do not put fertilizer directly on the plants, as this may damage to the leaves. Make certain that it has been diluted to the proper strength for orchids.

Bark and moss are better growing mediums than soil. If you are going to change the bark or moss, do this when the plants are not in blossom. Ideally, they should be re-potted after they have blossomed, not during blossoming.

Phalaenopsis orchids go through a number of different stages: rooting, growing new leaves, a flowering stage and a dormant stage. At times, new roots will try to grow into the medium or container in which you have planted other orchids. The roots look like gray-green fish worms, as opposed to the blossom stems, which tend to be a darker, reddish-green color. The tender roots go downwards, while the sturdier blossom stems head upwards towards the source of light.

New leaves will grow directly out from the center of the plants, looking like little, dark-green triangles that will gradually increase in size. If you see leaves turning yellow, these will fall off by themselves. After the leaves finish growing, the phalaenopsis orchids will go into a blooming stage. When the blossoms fall off, the plants will assume a dormant or resting stage.

Do not move the plants when they begin to blossom, as the flowers will likely drop within twenty four hours. If you accidentally move your plants and the flowers do fall, do not be alarmed, as they may grow back on the same stem. You may trim the flower stem back if it does not appear to be getting new buds, after a month or so. Cut the flower stem to about three inches in height. You will see it turns a beige color over time and gets very dry. Then, you can cut it back further if you wish to do so.

Take good care of your phalaenopsis orchids and you will be well rewarded for your efforts. Have fun growing them and pass along a few tips to others.

Consider starting an orchid club and share your new hobby, your experiences and your successes. You will be glad that you did. Encourage others to do the same.

Growing phalaenopsis orchids just might prove to be your ideal hobby.