In the most popular plants widespread in the world of gardening and decoration, we have the orchids. One of them which is widely used is Phalaenopsis aphrodite. It has very beautiful flowers that are named for their resemblance to butterfly wings. The origin of these plants is from Australia and the Philippines, although they are also present in parts of Asia and Africa.
In this article, we are going to tell you everything you need to know about the Phalaenopsis aphroditeits characteristics and the care it needs.
Contents
main Features
Like other orchids, they are epiphytes, which means they Instead of anchoring themselves to the ground with a root system, they use other trees or plants as hosts to attach themselves to.
Another characteristic of these plants is their ability to carry out photosynthesis from their roots, which are strong, green and, in general, aerial. Its leaves are large and grow very close to the roots. In them, the central nervous system stands out very clearly and they are very bright green.
Its flowers arise from a long branch that the plant produces and usually need support so that they do not fall. Its petals vary in color and even have speckled patterns, which are very striking and beautiful.
care of the Phalaenopsis aphrodite
Like all orchids, this plant will not tolerate excessive moisture or waterlogging, either in the leaves or in the roots. Therefore, they should always be watered in the morning, if possible by soaking. This is done by immersing the pot in water for a few minutes and letting the plants absorb the necessary water, then removing it and letting the drainage holes remove excess water.
However, it is important not to water Phalaenopsis with tap water. Often these waters are very hard and too rich in minerals, so use light mineral water or desalinate the water.
In addition, it is strongly recommended to spray a little water around the leaves and aerial roots several times a day. This tropical plant requires fairly high ambient humidity to better simulate its natural conditions.
Phalaenopsis do not tolerate direct sunlight well, but also do not grow well in shade.. Find a room that’s very bright, but doesn’t get direct sunlight on your plants. Using curtains that let in some natural light is also a great option. As a tropical plant, it does not tolerate intense cold or dry heat.
The ideal temperature range for Phalaenopsis is between 23°C and 24°C, but it can withstand temperatures up to 30°C with sufficient ambient humidity. As for the cold, under no circumstances should the temperature drop below 13°C. Too much moisture can damage plants. Additionally, these plants may sometimes need specific fertilizers which are applied more frequently before the plants begin to flower, and are usually applied by evaporation or spraying onto the substrate.
When and how to transplant Phalaenopsis aphrodite
This plant is usually kept in a transparent container or pot so that its bushy green roots can also carry out photosynthesis, which facilitates flowering. It also helps us to know the state of health of the plant and to evaluate if it needs water, because when they turn white, they dry out and must be watered until they turn green again.
Taking this into account, the Phalaenopsis aphrodite should only be transplanted if it has grown too large to fit in a containeror if it is attacked by fungi or bacteria that must be eradicated from the substrate.
At the time of transplanting Phalaenopsis aphrodite Keep in mind that this must always be done during vegetative rest, during the coldest months, and that it is necessary to use a specific substrate for the orchid. In addition, in the weeks following transplanting, it is advisable to avoid fertilization with a good dose of risk to avoid overdose and protect it from bright light.
step by step requirements
Temperature
The Phalaenopsis aphrodite They are known for their ease of cultivation. This is also due to its excellent adaptation to the tropical climate. Able to withstand temperatures between 13°C and 35°C.
Ideal conditions:
- 20 to 24ºC during the day
- Be careful not to exceed 16°C at night.
For it to flourish, try to lower the night temperature by 5°C. That said, the ideal temperature is between 13 and 14°C.
Flash
As for the lighting, Phalaenopsis aphrodite is a plant that doesn’t need a lot of light (between 50% and 70%). Always provide indirect lighting. If possible, have good ventilation. To check if your orchid is getting too much sun, simply look at the color of its leaves.
- Darker green than normal and receives very little sunlight.
- More yellow, it receives a lot of sun.
One way to check if your plant is too hot for it is to perform the following tests:
- Place your hand or face on the Phalaenopsis leaf.
- If you are not comfortable with the temperature of the leaves after a few seconds, remove the orchid from this location.
- But if it’s not too hot, you can put your orchid there.
- If you don’t want to move the plants, simply increase ventilation or install screens or shelters to reduce sun exposure.
Humidity
Humidity is something that few growers care much about, but it is great for plant health. Although we like to be in a humid place, do not exceed the humidity of the Phalaenopsis.
Too much or too little, this humidity can cause:
- Extremely harmful diseases for your orchids.
- It weakens it and promotes the appearance of fungi and bacteria.
So be careful, bad humidity will not affect the life of the plants. The ideal is to maintain an environment with humidity between 50% and 70% without major changes. To do this, it is enough to ensure that its environment is neither too dry nor too humid. A tip is to visit the weather forecast page as they will tell you the humidity in your city. Also be careful not to over-wet the roots as this can cause a disease called black rot.
I hope with this information you can learn more about the Phalaenopsis aphrodite and their characteristics.