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The Phalaenopsis Orchid, sometimes referred to as the Moth Orchid, due to its resemblance to moth wings, can grow from 6 inches up to about 3 foot high and can spread from 8 inches to 1 foot wide.
How large can orchids get?
Orchids come in many sizes, from the size of a nickel to sprawling plants that weight a few thousand pounds. This makes them exciting choices for the home garden, as you can grow small orchids with sprays of tiny, delicate flowers or make room for showier blooms. Just don’t be fooled by your orchid’s initial size.
Do orchids just keep growing?
Most orchids bloom once a year, but if they are really happy, they may bloom more often. If you want an orchid that blooms during a particular season, the best bet is to purchase a plant that is in bloom at that time. When an orchid does flower it usually remains in bloom for six to ten weeks.
How long do orchids live for?
Orchid plants do not have a finite life span, but after 15 to 20 years, the plants will naturally become weaker, producing fewer blossoms. Plants have a natural immune system, and over time it becomes worn down by natural bacteria and fungi.
How big is the biggest orchid?
Grammatophyllum speciosum, also called giant orchid, tiger orchid, sugar cane orchid or queen of the orchids, is a species of orchid native to Indonesia. It is listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s tallest orchid, with specimens recorded up to 7.62 metres (25 ft) in height.
Do orchids like big or small pots?
Most orchids require a 4, 5 or 6 inch pot. There are seedlings and miniatures that require smaller pots, older specimen plants and some genera (Cymbidium, Phaius, large Cattleya) that often require 8 inch pots or bigger but the majority of orchids sold in groceries, box stores, florists and the like are not these.
Do orchids need bigger pots?
Larger pots are required for growing larger plants that have more leaves and roots. Pots of the same size can be used for about two years, and then, they have to be replaced with pots that are 1 inch larger in diameter when the orchids are repotted, which should be done once every one to three years.
Where should I put my orchid in my house?
Indirect sunlight is best. So one of the best places to keep your orchid is near a north- or east-facing window. If your living room has west-facing windows, it’s best to place it farther away from the window on a table or shelf.
Can orchids regrow flowers?
Fortunately, they will bloom again. You can remove the entire flower spike so that the orchid plant can put more energy back into the leaves and roots, helping it to grow stronger and produce a fresh new flower spike.
Will an orchid bloom again?
Pay attention to light, water and fertilizer and your phalaenopsis will rebloom. When it comes to orchids, phalaenopsis (moth orchids) are among the easiest to grow. Blooms last for several months and you can get them to rebloom without a lot of effort. Well, some folks can.
How often should orchids be watered?
How often you water an orchid depends on the species and the environment they’re kept in, but, on average, most orchids can be watered once a week to every 10 days. Just be careful not to oversaturate them. “In general, orchid plants need much less water than the average consumer would think.
What do orchids eat?
Orchids eat fungus. Each type of orchid needs particular fungi to germinate; the microscopic seedlings allow the fungus to grow into some of their root cells, where they digest it.
What do I do when all the flowers fall off my orchid?
After the flowers drop from the orchid you have three choices: leave the flower spike (or stem) intact, cut it back to a node, or remove it entirely. Remove the flower spike entirely by clipping it off at the base of the plant. This is definitely the route to take if the existing stem starts to turn brown or yellow.
Do orchids spread?
How do orchids propagate? In the wild, orchids propagate, or reproduce, much the same way other plants do. They are pollinated and the pollen and seeds spread to other areas. When they find a favorable growing medium, they will put down the meager roots that they have and grow.
How do you make orchids bigger?
So what’s an easy way to encourage your orchid to spike? Give it a little cool air! Place your orchid in a cooler part of your home for about a week, avoiding cold blasts of air from fans or air conditioners. An optimal nighttime temperature is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Are Tiger orchids rare?
Even in its native habitat of Southeast Asia, the species blooms infrequently—reportedly once every two to four years. For a specimen to blossom in cultivation and at this latitude is a special event indeed. Don’t miss it. BBG’s Grammatophyllum speciosum (tiger orchid) blooms in 2011.
