Just Add Ice Phalaenopsis orchids are one of the hardiest and easiest to grow orchid species, making them an excellent choice for novice orchid growers. Provide orchids with the basic necessities – water, light and good air circulation – and they will return your care with stunningly beautiful displays of colorful orchid blooms again and again.
As with any gardening pursuit, experienced orchid growers always discover a few tricks that ensure healthy growth and prolific blooming. To produce the best display from your Just Add Ice Phalaenopsis orchid, watch these orchid care videos and read these orchid care tips from experienced orchid growers:
- Always mist plants with water early in the day so plants have time to dry completely before night. Coupled with adequate air circulation, this will help prevent the growth of fungus.
- Orchids need more light when they are growing than they do when they’re blooming. In fact, too much light can cause orchid blossoms to fade. Rotate your plant throughout the growing cycle so it receives light where it needs it most.
- To prevent the development of fungus or rot, make certain your orchid receives plenty of air circulation.
- When pruning off leaves or old pseudobulbs or cutting blossoms from your orchid plant, seal the cut with a dab of melted candle wax or Elmer’s Glue to protect your orchid from bacterial or fungal infection. (At your garden center, you’ll also find commercial products that serve this purpose.)
- Be diligent in staking new growths to ensure proper presentation during blooming. Stake new growth about halfway through its growing cycle or as it reaches 5 inches in length. Adjust staking as the growth progresses.
- When staking orchids, use ties like raffia or twist ties that can be adjusted as the diameter of the stem increases. If using commercial plant clips, make sure they are not too small or they may damage new growth.
