In the wild, Phalaenopsis orchids can live for decades, but the average lifespan of a Phalaenopsis orchid plant in captivity is between two and five years. The key to a long life for your Phalaenopsis orchid is proper care, including regular watering, fertilizing, and repotting as needed. With a little love and attention, your orchid can bloom for many years to come.
The lifespan of a Phalaenopsis orchid depends on the species, but they can generally live between 2 and 20 years.
How long do potted orchids live?
Orchids are beautiful and delicate flowers that can brighten up any room. Though they are often thought of as difficult to care for, with a little bit of knowledge and effort, they can be easy to keep alive and healthy. Typically, orchids live for 20-25 years if grown indoors, though the life span of an orchid plant surely depends on how attentive its grower is and how well it’s cared for. With the right care, your orchid can bloom for years to come.
A phalaenopsis orchid typically blooms once a year, in the late winter or early spring. The plant begins its life cycle by producing seeds, which are then germinated and grown into seedlings. Once the seedlings are mature, they produce flowers, which are pollinated and produce seed pods. The pods mature and release seeds, which begin the cycle anew. With proper care, a phalaenopsis orchid can last for many years, or even decades.
How do you keep Phalaenopsis orchids alive
To keep your orchid alive, follow these five tips:
1. Let there be light! An east-facing window that gets morning light is ideal.
2. Not too hot, not too cold. Phalaelnopsis are happy in the same temps we are: above 60º at night and between 70º and 80º during the day.
3. Cut spent blooms.
4. Remember food and water.
5. Repot on occasion.
If you see new roots emerging from the stem where the leaves once occurred, then the leaves are older. Those roots will eventually form a mass of roots that will be visible.
Do orchids need bigger pots as they grow?
Larger pots are required for growing larger plants that have more leaves and roots. Pots of the same size can be used for about two years, and then they have to be replaced with pots that are 1 inch larger in diameter when the plants are repotted, which should be done once every one to three years.
To fertilize your orchids after a month, simply apply Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Orchid Food every two weeks while they are blooming, and every four weeks during their rest periods. Be sure to follow the label directions for best results.
What do you do with Phalaenopsis after flowers fall off?
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. If the existing stem starts to turn brown or yellow, removing the flower spike entirely by clipping it off at the base of the plant is the best option.
Phalaenopsis orchids can be propagated by cutting the stem. The stem should be cut just below a leaf node. The cutting should be placed in a well-lit location with the nodes buried in either moist sphagnum moss or soil.
What triggers flowering in Phalaenopsis
Most phalaenopsis species are native to areas close to the Equator and do not need a specific photoperiod to induce flowering. Instead, it is the low temperature that triggers phalaenopsis to start the flowering process.
As a general rule of thumb, Phalaenopsis orchids should be repotted every one to two years, but there are times when you might need to repot your orchid sooner. Inspect your orchid plant periodically. Look carefully at the texture of the potting medium. If it feels mushy, compacted, or doesn’t hold moisture well, it’s time to repot. Also, check for roots that are coming out of the drainage holes. If you see any, it’s time to give your orchid some more room to grow.
Do orchids bloom again after dying?
The thing to remember with annuals is that they will bloom again, but in the meantime, you have a few options: You can let it be, while making sure to fertilize it monthly or sometimes even as often as every other week Use a houseplant fertilizer or balanced fertilizer (example: 20-20-20) at half the recommended rate.
Watering your phal once a week is generally sufficient if it is potted in bark. If your plant is potted in moss, water it when the top feels dry. The amount of light and heat your plant receives will affect how soon your phal needs watering. Summer months will need more frequent watering, winter will need less.
How do I know if my orchid is happy
According to the signs, your orchid is healthy and happy! Be sure to keep an eye on the leaves, roots, and blooms to make sure they stay healthy and vibrant.
Orchids require a lot of light in order to produce flowers. If your orchid isn’t blooming, it could be due to insufficient light. Leaf color is a good indicator of how much light is necessary.
What time of year do orchids go dormant?
Winter is a time for rest and rejuvenation for many flowers and plants, including the orchid. As the days grow shorter and the temperature grows cooler, the orchid will begin to reduce its flower production and enter a resting stage. This is normal and necessary for the plant to prepare for its next blooming cycle. During this time, some of the leaves may also yellow and drop off. It is important to give the plant plenty of time to rest and not to force it into bloom. Once the winter months have passed and the days grow longer and warmer, the orchid will begin to produce new flowers and leaves, signifying the start of a new growth cycle.
Orchids are a beautiful and unique type of flower that can make a great addition to any home or garden. However, it is important to remember that orchids should ideally live and grow in a plastic or terra-cotta grow pot. This is because pots for growing orchids must have drainage holes or slits in the container to ensure your plant doesn’t get soggy, wet feet. By keeping your orchid in a pot with proper drainage, you will help it to thrive and stay healthy for many years to come.
Do orchids like deep or shallow pots
Most orchids do prefer shallower squat pots for the following reasons:
1. Their roots don’t like all the moisture retained in deep pots.
2. They just don’t need the depth anyway as their roots spread out, not down.
Orchids are best kept in small pots because they have a shallow root system. Select a pot whose top diameter is about a third to a half of the height of the orchid plant. An exception is Dendrobium; it can be 24 inches tall, but grows best in a 4-5-inch pot.
Warp Up
The average lifespan of a Phalaenopsis orchid is about 3 to 5 years.
The average lifespan of a Phalaenopsis orchid is about three to five years. However, with proper care, they can live much longer—up to 20 years or more. If you want your Phalaenopsis orchid to have a long and healthy life, give it the right amount of light and water, and don’t forget to fertilize it regularly.
