Phalaenopsis or 'MothOrchids' grow in the tropical jungles of the world. In these regions the weather is warm, humid with heavy bursts of rain. We need to give our plants similar conditions for them to do well.

POSITION: As the plants grow in dense jungles they do not like very bright conditions so are well suited to the average living room. Do not stand in direct sunlight.

HUMIDITY: Stand plants on an upturned saucer or something similar and place in a tray or container holding hortag, chippings, or small pebbles and add water. Do not allow your plants to stand in water at any time or they will quickly rot. These plants do well if they stand on a saucer and are placed in a larger self watering plant holder but make sure the wick is covered so that your plant does not take up water.

WATER: Some experts say let plants remain fairly dry, others say that the plant should not dry out. We find it best, providing that the plant is in a very open bark medium, to give between a half a teacup to a half pint (depending on size of plant) and then not to water again until the bark has just dried out. They should not be left dry for long as they have no means of storing water like some other orchids. The water should be tepid and not cold. In Cardiff and most of the Vale of Glamorgan it is quite safe to use tap water in other areas people will have to check with their Water Company/Authority. It is best to allow the water to stand for at least an hour and preferably overnight to allow any chlorine to escape.

Maximum Summer 85'F (30'C).

Max. Winter Day 75'F (24'C).

Min. Winter Night 65'F (18').

Phalaenopsis will survive at slightly lower temperatures but they will not be at their best. It is really important to maintain these temperatures if your orchids are needed for Show purposes.

FEEDING: Any good orchid feed will do. Tomato feed is suitable (half strength) and the orchid feed in little yellow tubs called Chempak (obtainable from Garden Centres in the U.K) is also suitable. Phostrogen can also be used. These plants need to be fed all the year round. It is best to feed them for three feeds in succession at weekly to ten day intervals and. then give plain water on the fourth feed. This helps to prevent undesirable chemicals building up in the potting medium. If potted in bark it is best to repot about every fifteen months, before the bark begins to break down too much.

FLOWERS:If after flowering you cut the flower stem back to at a half inch above the next little notch (node) on the main stem, with luck your plant should flower again in three to four months time. If you decide to cut the whole spike off then you should see another one beginning to grow in about a year's time.