Care Guide - Phalaenopsis Gift

Phalaenopsis (Phal) orchid plants supplied by Beautiful Blooms are delivered at peak health directly from our nursery in Stony Hill, St. Andrew. Gifts are usually potted Phalaenopsis or Dendrobiums, as these varieties are well-suited for indoor environments.

We do not remove the plant from the container it was grown in, ensuring your orchid remains stable and well-established — that’s our guarantee.

Placement

• Keep your orchid in a well-ventilated area with good light, but away from direct sunlight.

• If your plant was wrapped and tied with ribbon, remove all wrapping within 24 hours of receipt.

• Plants delivered in our signature wooden boxes, ceramic pots, or other secondary containers may be placed in their desired location without disturbance.

Watering

Orchids like to dry out slightly between watering.

• Water thoroughly when the growing medium feels dry.

• Frequency may vary based on your area’s microclimate:

  • Dendrobiums: approximately once per week

  • Phalaenopsis: every 10–12 days

• To water:

  1. Remove the plant from the secondary container.

  2. Water thoroughly, avoiding the crown of Phalaenopsis orchids.

  3. Allow the plant to drain completely before placing it back.

You may use a balanced soluble fertilizer with every other watering at half the manufacturer’s recommended strength.

Bloom Duration

With proper care, blooms can last 6–10 weeks or even longer.

Once all blooms have faded, place the plant in a well-ventilated area and choose one of the three spike-management options below.

After Blooming: Managing the Spike

You have three options:

✅ 1. Leave the spike undisturbed

• If it remains green, it may produce additional buds during the next bloom cycle.

• If it dries out, remove it completely.

✅ 2. Cut above an unused node (below the first bloom)

• Use clean, sharp shears.

• This may produce a side spike, generating a smaller follow-up bloom.

✅ 3. Cut the spike at the base

• A completely new, stronger spike should form during the next cycle.

• This often results in larger flower spikes, more buds, and sometimes side branches.