Orchid, Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis bellina)
Features
This lovely orchid originates high in the tree tops of Malaysia and Borneo. It produces a rosette of overlapping leaves and intensely fragrant flowers. After flowers fade do not remove the stem; as long as the stem is green it may produce more blooms.
Uses
Grows very well attached to cork or bark hanging from a wall near a window or outdoors on the wall of a partly shaded deck, porch, or balcony. Perfect for growing in a fibrous basket with good air circulation.
Plant Feed
Fertilize regularly for best display.
Watering
Water freely during active growth.
Soil
Orchid bark mix.
Basic Care Summary
Keep away from drafts. Water freely during active growth. Repot every two years in the same container or in a container slightly larger than the diameter of the roots.
Planting Instructions
If the plant was purchased in a pot, then it is probably already in a quality bark mix and requires little more than watering and grooming for a while.
When potting an orchid, start with a good quality, commercial orchid bark mix. This is usually found in the same area of the store as potting soil.
Select a simple clay pot with a hole in the bottom or a specialty orchid pot with holes on the wall of the container.
Prepare the container by mounding bark mix so that it’s level with the rim of the pot. Gently hold the leaves and drape the roots evenly over the mounded bark. Add a little more bark at a time; tightly packing each addition into the pot, under and around the roots. Once the orchid is potted, water thoroughly to soak the new bark and give the plant a good start.
Repot every 2 years in the same container or in a container slightly larger than the diameter of the roots.
Watering Instructions
Most potted orchids prefer the bark mix to dry between thorough watering. If the mix gets too dry the blooms can wilt and they may not recover. Check the bark mix moisture with your finger. If the top inch (3 cm) of bark is dry, it’s time to water.
To water your orchid, set the base of the pot in a shallow tray of water for 5 minutes and allow the orchid bark mix to soak up water until the pieces are damp at the surface level. This indicates the bark mix is thoroughly wet. Drain the excess water and set the orchid pot back in its saucer.
Pruning Instructions
Remove the flowers as they fade. This keeps the plant looking tidy and may encourage more blooms depending on the type of plant. When the stem is done flowering, snip it off at the base just above the main plant. After flowering, orchids make attractive houseplants.
Some plants will re-bloom on their own, but others may have very specific day-length or temperature requirements to flower again. A bit of research may be necessary to determine what is needed to encourage future blooming.
Fertilizing Instuctions
Fertilizers are available in many forms: granulated, slow-release, liquid feeds, organic or synthetic. Liquid houseplant fertilizer is the best application method for orchids. Select a product with a nutritional balance of 20-20-20 and dilute it to a quarter the recommended strength.
Too much fertilizer can damage plants so it’s important to follow the package directions to determine how much, and how often, to feed plants.
Plant Details
| Category | Flowering Houseplant |
| Height Range | 10-12″ |
| Height Metric Range | 25-30cm |
| Space Range | 12-15″ |
| Space Metric Range | 30-38cm |
| Available Colors | Greenish white with purple |
| Companion Plants | African Violet, Fern, Pothos |
| Lowest Temperature | 50° to 80°F |
| Lowest Temperature Metric | 10° to 27°C |
| Bloom Time | Summer to autumn |
| Plant Light | Bright Light |
| Hardiness Zone | 11, 12 |