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Growing Moth Orchids: Care, Watering, Reblooming and More

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Phalaenopsis Orchid Care

Your search is over!  This is your one-stop shop to Phalaenopsis orchid care.  Or what most people commonly call Moth Orchids.  How many times have you looked for the answers to your questions about how to grow moth orchids and left more confused than when you started?  I have written a few blog posts in the past on growing Phalaenopsis orchids so I’ve compiled all those posts in this article so it can serve as one reference guide. 

growing-moth-orchids

In addition, I have recently been interviewed by Bren Haas so I wanted to share that video interview, as well as another short clip on what to do after your Phalaenopsis is done flowering.

General Moth Orchid Growing Tips

I was so excited to have the opportunity to have Bren Haas, founder of Creative Living with Bren Haas, interview me on growing houseplants and moth orchids!  This will give you a general overview on the basics of Moth Orchid Care.

Be sure not to miss my post about general Phalaenopsis care.  It was my first post that kicked off this blogging adventure.

Encouraging Your Moth Orchid To Rebloom

After your moth orchid is done blooming.  You really have 3 options:

  1. Leave the stalk as is and it may continue blooming as the tip grows.  I tend not to do this though, but it is an option.
  2. Cut off only part of the flower stem, right above the first node, and directly below the lowest spent flower.
  3. Cut off the entire flower stalk.

For reference, check out my blog post on what to do with your orchid post-bloom.

Why Won’t My Orchid Bloom?

There are many factors as to why your moth orchid is not reblooming.  Among the reason are:

  • Inadequate light (this is the MOST important!)
  • Improper watering
  • No fertilization
  • Issues with temperature

Be sure not to miss my blog post that explains how to make your orchid bloom easily.

Root or Flower Spike?

One of the common points of confusion is distinguishing if your Phalaenopsis is growing a flower spike versus just another root.  Until you become experienced growing them, it will be confusing at first!  I know when I started growing them, I got excited over every little new growth!  There were a lot of false alarms, but of course you should be happy to see roots growing too!

Read my blog post to determine if the growth is a flower spike or just another root.

growing-moth-orchids

Repotting Your Moth Orchid

This is one topic that many people don’t even think about, but is very important.  Moth orchids are different from most of your other houseplants because they don’t grow in potting soil. 

Do not ever repot a moth orchid into plain potting soil because they will 100% die on you!  They are epiphytes in nature so they don’t grow in soil.

They are typically grown in a bark mix, sphagnum moss, or even various artificial media and you can find all of these easily on Amazon.  

If you have your plant growing in bark mix or sphagnum moss, it will eventually break down and you will need to repot it otherwise your orchid root can start to rot.

Read my blog post that details how I repot my moth orchids, and how often I do it.

growing-moth-orchids

Lastly, check out my booklet, Moth Orchid Mastery, which was a #1 New Release on Amazon.  It contains practically all my knowledge on moth orchids, and I know that it will make you a successful grower!  There are eBook and paperback versions, as well as an Audible version if you just want to listen!

I wish you all success in growing Phalaenopsis orchids!

Please do me a favor and share this post to social media because it will help me spread the Ohio Tropics houseplant care tips to the masses! Also, check out my shop on Amazon for all your houseplant care needs:

OHIO TROPICS PLANT CARE STOREFRONT

Serena Beeson

Saturday 25th of December 2021

I forgot to say that when I clipped the roots, I repotted it in a smaller pot that has great drainage, and used a bark medium that says it’s for this type of orchid

Serena Beeson

Saturday 25th of December 2021

Hey! I got my moth orchid two months ago. It’s a water with ice, which I did faithfully until I found a severe case of root root. I clipped the damaged roots and there remains a small bunch that are not ruined. I have struggled with watering it, because I’m scare of overwatering. The bottom leaves have all turned yellow and died. But despite all this, my orchid is blooming still. How do I water, and how do I get it to grow new leaves? Thanks!

Raffaele

Monday 27th of December 2021

Hi Serena! I assume that the water from the ice accumulated in a pot that had no drainage, and thus it rotted. Tell me if that's your case. You probably had a pot with drainage holes that was slipped in a decorative pot with no drainage holes. Over time, the water accumulated from the ice you used. I have a lot of people report this issue. You did the right thing to remove the rotted roots and repot. Let me clarify one thing though. I know you are scared to overwater, but in your case, I assume that your plant sat in water for a long time. Orchids can not tolerate sitting in water for days and weeks, etc. I mention this because you can easily go too far in the other direction and not water properly. You still want to thoroughly water. I would follow the recommendations I give in my blog post here: https://www.ohiotropics.com/2021/07/20/how-to-water-orchids/. All you can do at this point is give your plant good, consistent care and it will eventually come back. It will take a while because Moth Orchids grow slowly and may only product one or two new leaves a year. It will be a game of patience and consistently. There are no shortcuts. Good luck with your plant!