NAGANO^P

CARE TIPS

Temperature: Phalaenopsis prefers a temperature of between 20°C and 22°C. The minimum temperature for the plant is 16°C.

Positioning: In the wild Phalaenopsis grows in shadowy spots. You should therefore place the plant in a position where it gets enough light, but avoid bright sunlight. It is particularly advisable not to place the plant in direct sunlight between April and September. Phalaenopsis is also sensitive to draughts and the plant should not be placed right next to a radiator.

Water: In the wild, in a tropical climate, Phalaenopsis gets a lot of water to deal with in a short space of time, and then nothing for a while. The advice is therefore to immerse the pot in water for about 1 minute once every 7 to 10 days. After immersion allow the plant to drain thoroughly, so that the excess water can run out. It is best to use rain water: tap water often contains too much calcium and minerals. If you do not have access to rain water, the best thing is to boil the tap water first. The ideal temperature for the water is room temperature. In the winter months when the heating is on it is a good idea to spray the plant with water regularly, in order to ensure that the humidity does not drop too low. Air that is too dry is not good for the plant.

Feeding: You should only use orchid food to feed the Phalaenopsis - this can be bought from garden centres. From November to February you should feed the plant once a month, and twice a month in the other months. When feeding following the dosage recommended by the manufacturer.

Flowering again: You will enjoy a Phalaenopsis plant for a long time, since it has a very long lifespan. If you want to get the plant to flower for a second time, you should prune a branch which has finished flowering above the second bud (counted from the bottom). You can prune the branch above the second bud twice, after that it is advisable to prune the branch as low as possible. After pruning you should place the plant is a somewhat colder position. The 'cooling' stimulates the formation of the new branch. After approx. 2 months you can replace the plant in its old spot in order to carry enjoy the beautiful flowers once again for a long time.