When we take a look at the several orchid species we can easily find at the flower shop, we can be almost sure that one at least of the orchid flowers we have perceived is a Phalaenopsis. They are almost everywhere: in fancy hotels, at some ceremonies, and mothers used to have them on the mother's day. Phalaenopsis are very common and a great amount of orchid growers call them "phal orchids".
Phalaenopsis Orchids are also called Phal Orchids by orchids growers. They constitute one of the most popular orchid species nowadays. In fact, chances are that the orchids you watched last week at that fancy hotel or the fair orchids your aunt was given on the mother's day were phalaenopsis (even if you might had never heard about phal orchids up to now!)
Phalaenopsis orchids are the option for many starters that begin to grow their own orchid flowers, because they are very easy to have. We might say that they are, perhaps, the easiest orchid flowers to grow and care for.
Indeed, lots of people who begin growing their orchids at home or in their gardens prefer phalaenopsis orchids, since this species is not very choosy and they can be grown fairly easily with a little care.
Nonetheless, phal orchids, as other species and types of orchids, request a little care and attention from us. Particularly, we must bear in mind the right amount of water and light they need.
While a good deal of light is crucial for our phalaenopsis orchid to be "happy", it should be a shady or indirect light. If we grow our phalaenopsis inside our house, it is recommended to set the plant near a window looking south or east so that it receives the kind of light it requires. At any rate, the phalaenopsis orchid plant must not be exposed to the direct rays of the sun, especially to the hard rays of the afternoon sun.
If it is not possible to place the orchid plant near the windows, no problem, as phalaenopsis orchids have an extraordinary capacity to adapt themselves, so that they can grow healthily under artificial lights. As long as they can have sufficient hours of light, we can place our phalaenopsis orchid under fluorescent or even grow lights. Only make sure that your phalaenopsis is set, at least, at one or two feet away from the light source.
Regarding water, we must know that phalaenopsis orchids like to be watered a little more frequently than other orchid plants like, for example, oncidiums. Howevwe, it is also important for us to know that the orchid media must have very good drainage; otherwise the roots of our orchid could get rot. A good solution is to have our phal orchid sitting in bark and feel the pot from time to time to make sure that it is not getting completely dry. When the bark is nearly dry, it is time for our orchid to get more water.
