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Indoor Plant Profile: Moth Orchids

28 August 2017
By portermathewsblog

via houzz.com.au

“We are loving this idea so much, and our front office is also decorated up with some beautiful orchids.”

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Moth orchids can produce up to 30 flowers at a time, which is how these popular orchids earned their common name. When seen en masse, their exotic flowers do somehow evoke images of moths or butterflies in flight. According to some plant suppliers, moth orchids are now the number one plant sold throughout the world, and along with that demand has come a rapid increase in the variety of shapes, sizes and colours available.

Some people may find them tricky to grow, but if you remember that moth orchids are from warm, tropical regions with high humidity and try to replicate those conditions at your place, your plant will be sure to thrive. Our checklist below will give you a good start.

Eclectic Hall by Adam Scougall

Adam Scougall
Plant at a glance
Common name: Moth orchid
Botanical name:Phalaenopsis
Origin: Tropical regions of Asia
Plant type: Epiphytes
Flowering period: Mainly winter, although flower spikes may appear at any time of year.
Traditional Garden by The New York Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden

 

How warm should the room be?

Moth orchids are tropical plants so they like it nice and toasty. The ideal temperature range is 22-24°C but they can tolerate temperatures as low as 12°C for short periods. If its leaves turn yellow it usually means it’s too cold for your moth orchid. Keeping it away from window sills in winter is a good way to avoid this. Moth orchids can tolerate quite warm temperatures (up to 35°C) if the air isn’t too dry. They can be grown outside in warm, humid, tropical climates.

Outdoor Plant Profile: Bird of Paradise

Contemporary Bathroom by Design a Space

Design a Space
How dry should the air be?
Humidity is really important for moth orchids. Constantly dry air causes the water in their leaves to evaporate and makes them wilt. Keep them away from heaters and avoid using air conditioning and dehumidifiers in the room if possible.To increase humidity around your moth orchid, sit it on a saucer filled with pebbles and water, making sure the plant does not touch the water. Misting also helps improve humidity, but make sure the plant has time to dry out before night time, as damp leaves encourage black spot and other fungal diseases. Alternatively, keep your orchid in the bathroom; it will love the heat and humidity.
Contemporary Kitchen by Rikki Snyder

Rikki Snyder

 

How much light do moth orchids need?

Avoid direct sunlight as this can cause burning of l
eaves. However, if the light levels are too low your plant may not flower and its foliage will turn limp. Bright filtered light is ideal, such as near an east- or west-facing window. A shaded north-facing (south-facing in the northern hemisphere) window is another possibility.
Modern Living Room by Seriously Designed

Seriously Designed
How often do you water moth orchids?

During spring and summer, water weekly in the morning using tepid water and leave to drain. It’s essential no water remains on the leaves and base of plant, particularly during the cooler months. Allow the top centimetre of the potting mixture to dry out between waterings.Moth orchids grow naturally in the trees of the jungle and like all air plants (epiphytes) they need very good drainage. Leaving them to sit in water is the best way to kill them as this stops air flowing around their roots. Water less when the weather is cooler, but keep an eye on the plant to make sure it doesn’t dry out.
Garden by The New York Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden
How do I encourage my moth orchid to flower?

Dropping the temperature will initiate flowering, usually in autumn. Place the plant in a cool room (night time temperatures of 11-12°C) for about three weeks.
To encourage your moth orchid to bloom again, snip off the flower spike after flowers have faded, just below the point where the first bloom appeared. Another spike should appear on a side stem that develops from that point. Some growers cut off the whole flower spike entirely after flowering. You may need to put your plant into a cool room as well if no new spikes appear.Indoor Plant Profile: Boston Fern
Traditional Living Room by Great Neighborhood Homes

 

Great Neighborhood Homes

How often should moth orchids be fed?

A little bit quite often is the secret to feeding moth orchids (once a week is ideal). Use a standard liquid fertiliser at half strength or a premixed soluble orchid food. Take care not to pour the liquid fertiliser over the plant – aim for the mix below, lifting leaves if necessary to avoid burning. Some growers flush the plant with clear water before feeding, to remove any fertiliser build-up in the potting mix. Too much fertiliser is not good for moth orchids, so err on the side of caution when feeding.
Contemporary Bathroom by ConcreteWorks East

 

ConcreteWorks East

 

When should I repot my moth orchid?

When roots are growing out of the bottom (not top) of the pot is a good time to repot your moth orchid. Aerial roots at the top are normal for all orchids and not a sign they need a bigger container. Replace the potting mix of mature plants and move them into slightly bigger pots every two years in spring or summer.

Clear away the old mix from the roots and cut away dead roots. Try not too disturb the roots too much. A free-draining potting mix is essential. There are specialised orchid potting mixes you can buy, or make your own with a mix of bark, pumice, sphagnum moss, peat and polystyrene foam or similar materials.

Garden by Chris Diamond Gardening and Horticulture

Chris Diamond Gardening and Horticulture

 

How to propagate moth orchids

If your moth orchid produces new shoots from the base or in joints of branches and stems, they can be turned into new plants. Leave them on the plant until their roots are about three centimetres long then carefully cut off. Plant in small pots of orchid mix and keep them in a warm room with filtered light. Keep watering to a minimum for the first six weeks.
Tags: Gardens, Home, Lifestyle
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