How to care for moth orchids

This holiday season, moth orchids seem to be America’s ubiquitous gift plant. The reasons why are simple: They look beautiful, they last a long time and they’re easy-care plants.

Moth orchids – Phalaenopsis – have grown steadily in popularity over the past two decades. U.S. growers now produce annually about 36 million orchid plants (mostly moths) worth an estimated $300 million, according to floral industry experts.

Peak holidays for giving orchids are Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, but Christmastime is booming, too. Winter is a great season to buy orchids, note industry experts; the plants are in good supply, they’re blooming and prices tend to be lower than for upcoming holidays.

Why moth orchids? This species likes temperatures in the 60s and 70s – just like most people. Native to Indonesia, they thrive in indoor light and humidity; they don’t need a hothouse to be happy.

What dooms most moth orchids? Overwatering. Mature plants need only ¼ cup of water – the equivalent of two ice cubes – a week.

As a reminder, orchid sellers launched a “Just add ice” campaign as an easy watering guide. Put two ice cubes a week on the plant’s bark (not the plant itself or roots) and let melt. That’s all the water they need.

Larger plants appreciate an occasional deep soaking; that refreshes the moisture in their bark, the best planting medium for orchids.

How do you keep that gift orchid happy for months to come (or longer)? This advice comes from Westerlay Orchids, a major California commercial grower:

* Place your orchid in ample indoor light but never in direct sun.

* North- and east-facing windows are often best.

* Water only when roots are gray and bark (the planting medium) appears dry.

* Soak plant for 30 minutes for best results. Then let drain.

* Fertilizer is not necessary. If you choose to use fertilizer, use a balanced fertilizer (for example 20-20-20 NPK) at half the normal dose once per month.

* To rebloom, trim the flower spike just above the node from where the last flowers bloomed. That node is where a new bloom shoot will form.