Phalaenopsis orchids tend to have roots that grow in all sorts of directions.

Here are some culture notes that may help.

Phalaenopsis Culture

These notes relate to Phalaenopsis culture in the Sydney area. These orchids cannot be grown outside in the yard or in a shade-house because winter minimum temperatures are too low and some summer maximum temperatures are too high. These temperature problems plus low humidity mean that special housing to meet Phalaenopsis needs is required, or the plants should be grown inside your home.

Culture within the home

Finding the right place to put the plant. Your plant needs bright light, humidity levels of about 60% and temperatures where both you and the plant will be comfortable. That rules out one place that is often suggested, the bathroom. Another place that is not good is one of those small closed in sunrooms where dry winter air is heated and the humidity levels are too low. My plants are on the windowsill of a large airy kitchen. Winter temperatures range from 12C to 18C each day and a fibreglass blind protects the plants from all but a few hours of gentle sun in winter. Do not expose the plant to harsh direct sunlight because the leaves of the plant will burn. Early morning sun is best, but late afternoon sun is also OK provided it is screened as described above.

Humidity

Some people recommend spraying the plants with water every day to raise humidity. This is not necessary because the humidity level in most homes is about 60%. You may wish to place the plant on a humidity tray containing pebbles and water. This is not necessary either, but will not cause harm, provided the bottom of the pot is not sitting in water.

Watering

Frequency depends on the potting material and the atmosphere in the house but as a general guide once a week in winter grading to two or three times a week in summer. Potting material should be kept moist but not sopping wet. Make sure no water is left sitting in the crown of the plant for an extended period, as the plant may rot. Use a tissue to soak up excess water.

Fertilizing

Use complete liquid fertilizer with every third watering, but only at half the prescribed strength. Wet the foliage as well.

Repotting

Every two years in late spring. Use specially prepared orchid bark, not Cymbidium mix. Try not to disturb the roots too much and just replace some of the older bark. Do not be in hurry to put the plant in a larger pot, because like most orchids, the plants seem to do better in a slightly pot-bound condition. Do not worry about some roots growing outside the pot. That is a good sign.

Treatment of flowering stem

When the flowers are nearly finished, you can cut the stem off just below the lowest flower and the plant may produce a new flowering shoot from the node just below the cut. BUT, note that most experienced growers cut the stem off at the base so the plant will put all its energy into growing new leaves, and therefore will produce better flowers next time.

Making the plant flower

The plant should produce a new flowering stem in late autumn as the temperatures drop. Some growers induce flowering by watering the plant with Epsom salts (Magnesium Sulfate) once a week several times in autumn. The amount of Epsom salts required is one tablespoon full in a bucket of water.

Pests and diseases

Your plant should remain pest and disease free in the home environment. Fungal disease which shows up as black spots on the leaves is a symptom of over-watering. Cut back on the watering a bit and seek help from a nursery orgarden centre if the problem persists. Phalaenopsis are also susceptible to mealy bugs, which are small, white, fluffy looking bugs that live on the undersides of leaves or between the leaf bracts on the central stem. Use either White Oil or Pyrethrum to remove these pests. More than one application may be required, so if you see another bug, spray again. If you use White Oil, make sure to move the plant out of direct sunlight for a few days otherwise the leaves may burn.

One page notes do not cover everything!. Are there drainage holes in the bottom of the pot? Is the potting mix made up of little chunks of bark or is it "mossy sort of stuff"? Where you have the plant may not be good for winter. Eastern or Western Part of Sydney?

Much easier to grow in Tropical Queensland, Hawaii and so on.

Ahh ok. Yes there are drainage holes. ( just one at the bottom) It's in debco premium potting mix. They are on my front porch which is north facing... No direct sunlight... I don't have many sunny spots inside my house... So outside is their best chance of good filtered / indirect light. Im in the eastern suburbs ... I was thinking of moving them into my kitchen for when it gets very cold, but there really isn't enough light inside my house for plants ... A few east facing Windows But my neighbors house is blocking the sky :/....

Phalaenopsis are grown around the world as house plants. They are low light orchids.

Debco Premium Potting Mix is not optimum for Phalaenopsis because the ancestors of the modern hybrids grew/grow on trees or rocks in the tropics.

But, do not repot now because "winter" is not optimum growing time , maybe carefully remove some of the mix from the "droopy" leaved one to get a bit of air to the roots.

Cold and wet is a problem with phalaenopsis.

Move your plants to their winter quarters till say early September and water when the mix is just a bit damp.

Your spring/summer/early autumn spot sounds good.

Good luck, they are very rewarding if you can get them to bloom.