Got a stroke from being around moths? Most people would say, “no way.” However, the moth orchids I am talking about are the ones that sway well in the breeze and some of the newer hybrids have a pleasant fragrance. These moths are easy to care for, especially if they are beginners. These moths are very frequently found in gardens. These are phalaenopsis orchids.

Phalaenopsis orchids are one of the easiest orchids to care for in a home. Its flowers can last up to 3 months and there are some of the most colorful hybrids. Like other orchids, they require light, water, temperature, fertilizer, and humidity. It seems like a lot but it really isn’t.

The best light is indirect light. It can be bright but not direct sunlight. If you have a west facing window sill this will work just fine. Direct sun can damage the leaves of the moth orchid.

Moisture is needed for moth orchids. In fact, they grow in the wild in humid tropical forests. In the warm months, it would be nice to mist them for a day or two. They also enjoy a bright bathroom.

Let’s see what temperatures phals like. They are an orchid of intermediate temperature. This means that they like temperatures from 55 to 75 or 80 degrees. As a requirement, there must be a temperature gradient of 10 to 15 degrees for at least 14 days in the fall to stimulate its flower spike.

Moth orchids do not have pseudopods to store water and for this reason should not dry out completely. It’s a fine line to let them almost dry out and at this point water them. You should be able to tell by seeing how light the plant is before you water it.

Another way is to stick your fingertip about an inch into the plant and it should feel almost dry. It is at this point that you should water. Let the water run through the plant (up and down) for about 20-30 seconds. It is important that any orchid plant not sit in water because it will cause root rot.

Fertilize the plant twice a month with a weekly fertilizer solution. It is recommended to reduce the recommended amount of fertilizer by half. Fertilize every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer, except during the summer growing months, when you can use a high-nitrogen fertilizer.

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