Dear Orchid Doc:

What are the drawbacks of growing orchids in peat?

Kediesha

Dear Kediesha:

If you have a heavy hand with the watering can, you need to be careful when growing in a peat mixture. Because the medium stays moist longer you need to be careful not to overwater. Wait until the top inch of the medium is dry. If you’re not sure, wait another day or two. Many orchid lovers find that the Phalaenopsis grown in peat require watering only half as much as plants grown in bark.

Peat is lightweight, especially when dry. We find that our specimen plants, with long flower spikes and heavy blossoms, tend to become top-heavy. Unfortunately, our top-heavy specimen plants tip over when they’re in lightweight peat, in lightweight plastic pots. Between the light medium and the light pot there isn’t enough weight to keep a plant upright. So when plants are specimen-sized we move them into heavy clay pots.

Dear Orchid Doc:

How much humidity do orchids need?

Orchid lover

Dear Orchid Lover:

Phalaenopsis orchids enjoy 50% humidity. If your home is dry because of winter heat or summer air conditioning place a small humidifier near, or a humidity/pebble tray under your plants to maintain optimum humidity. Grouping plants together will also help maintain humidity around your plants.

Dear Orchid Doc:

My plant gets plenty of light but still doesn’t flower. What can I do?

Kady

Dear Kady

If your Phalaenopsis is getting sufficient light and is still not flowering, try exposing the plant to cooler air in the evening. When your night-time temperatures are the same, try opening a window near your plants to let in the cool night air. Continue the cool night-time air treatment for three weeks. The variation in temperature between warm day and cool night will often initiate a flower spike.