Phalaenopsis Orchid care, propagation, and rebloom

The phalaenopsis orchid is often times called the moth orchid or “anggrek bulan” in bahasa Indonesia. This is a gateway orchid that is easy to care for but often times misunderstood. In this video I share with you indoor VS outdoor care tips, how to propagate them, and the different ways you can encourage reblooms.
My instagram: @bo.tan.ist
Jazz background music made by Rhythm Alley
/ rhythmalley.taiwan
Background music are created by me exclusively for this channel.

[@happyratty]

Omg I’ve been binge watching MissOrchidGirl all week and now you’ve uploaded an orchid video 😍 this is a sign that I need an orchid in my life!

[@onlyplants]

She is soooooo good.

[@firequeen7872]

I hope you got your orchid! 🙂

[@minniemouse2742]

It's definitely a sign. Because of her, I now have over 50 plants 😅

[@ItsMeCheryl1231]

YES! Get one! In the past, I have killed every one I have had. After watching OnlyPlants and MissOrchidGirl, I will NOT be killing my most recent "rescue orchid."

[@rachaelnugent]

Thank you for the daily uploads Sean, it's much appreciated!!

[@TheBurningRoses]

I literally got gifted one of these today, so this is perfect timing! Thanks so much.

[@troyrodriguez1885]

I love phalaenopsis, so beautiful orchid!

[@jaistar83]

Nice video and sharing your orchids with us. Your orchid house is very cool!

[@LIfeisFABVLOVS]

beautiful palaenopsis .. i love it so much..

[@girasouljewelsinc.4078]

I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU BREAKING DOWN THE NATURAL HABIT!! Having that knowledge makes caring for her extremelyyyyy easy😭🌻🌱🌟

[@manikshapatel6791]

Hi Sean, you are very clean in heart ,you give us a very clear idea to look after our plants . Thank you and bless you loads 🙏 ❤️

[@lindabeaulieu6770]

Thx for the video. Very informative. About 3 weeks ago I bought the same orchid (in your intro), and i love it. Now i know how to care for it thanks to this video.

[@zalehaburude7752]

Your Phalaenopsis Orchid is so pretty....i love it. Thank you for sharing a great tips...A nice evening to you...

[@catherinekasiewicz8683]

I’m just starting to dabble in orchids. I have 3 phals one is re blooming. I’m very excited!

[@hoseaapon4953]

Sean you are amazing! I'm enlightened by this since i've been growing few Phal orchids, thanks!!🤝

[@ikillprettythingz7947]

I was here then I fell asleep lol finishing your video now..you know I loveeeee Orchids!

[@mjsoskie]

Very informative video. Thanks for sharing about mixing the fertilizer with the water and the pesticide.

[@minniemouse2742]

You're like my toddler. He got all excited by the hose 😆 Healthy plants you have.

[@kimtobey3085]

Thanks for another informative video!

[@ocrapitssij]

This video was very helpful! I’m excited to care for my beautiful orchid 😍😍😍

[@annettamackey1538]

Thank you for sharing.

[@jovsitalo]

Very informative! Thank you!

[@melissarushing2538]

Your orchids n other plants are beautiful! Thanks for taking the time to share your video n tips w/us. God bless!😇

[@onlyplants]

Thank you and good luck with your orchids! (And other plants)

[@debracancelliere4081]

Love that picotee pattern!

[@derrongoodengardenandlifes8655]

These orchids are so beautiful. The blooms are so vibrant. Thanks for the lovely share, My Friend. Wishing you a happy and safe New Year. Cheers.🍸🍸🇨🇦

[@onlyplants]

Thank you. Happy New Year too 🙌🏻

[@cmfornow]

So lucky to have watched this video when it came out! Thank you! I’ve had the same orchid for years. My oldest from 2009. I’ve tried many different methods and the latest one almost killed them! A few months ago I put them all in a mix of pumice and Leca. I thought they’d like a self watering container and placed theirs on top of more stones in a cache pot with a wick going into their pot. They looked fantastic for a while. Their leaves became lush and flowers never faded. Their roots looked green and healthy but I couldn’t see all the roots. Many began to flower again and some had flowering shoots come up during this time. You mentioned that their roots like to dry out. I pulled them out of the pot in time for a quick save! I found some black roots and roots that looked water logged. I’m trimming them up tonight and cleaning them. No self watering for these guys. They will dry out from now on. Thank you Sean! This help was very timely!!!! 🙏🏻

[@onlyplants]

Ooo yes they love to dry out quickly. All of these orchids I have were sold in sphagnum moss with rotted roots. After cutting the roots off and caring for them properly, all of then recovered. 😛

[@cmfornow]

@@onlyplants I’m wondering if I should use only leca or combination of that and the pumice. What do you think? I’m thinking only leca now. I guess it did well in the summer but now they need less water and dry out more slowly than before so I’m happy to save them! Thanks!!!!! So the pumice stones retain some water but they don’t retain the nutrients like the clay leca. Again I’m thinking just leca, right? Darn, I have to order more... I’m running out. 🤪

[@dogueacademy]

I love orchids. I have a nice little collection, and I, too, get high on their growth, flower, and overall beauty. Thank you for sharing your passion.

[@onlyplants]

🥰🥰

[@lifelonglearner1598]

It is amazing!!

[@tarotoculus]

I too am turned on my those amazing leaves. Large strappy striking leaves. Thanks for the video!

[@onlyplants]

🥰🥰

[@luxurydoll6007]

my 9 year old daughter pick one out for mother's day I LOVE IT!

[@onlyplants]

Yaye! Thats so sweet of her. Hope you can keep that orchid growing, and watch it put out babies as they do from time to time.

[@scanphotomonster10]

Thanks to making this video and building viewers confidence❤

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@lydiaperez3130]

Thank you for information on orchids l love them stay safe.😊

[@onlyplants]

Stay safe too! 🙂

[@robertaorsingher2630]

This video gives me inner peace and is explained very well. It's relaxing and very well done! Thank you

[@onlyplants]

Thank you 🥰

[@jacolynsorchids1361948friends]

Thank you very informative, I use just bark, but same idea, water and dry quickly I like that, thanks for view in your greenhouse

[@shysie03]

Thank you for this Video

[@fayprivate7975]

Thank you! Your video is very helpful!

[@onlyplants]

🥰🥰

[@user-ye8hd6gg4i]

Happy upcoming 2021,Sean.May next bring you health,sustainability and prosperity with your plants collections

[@onlyplants]

Thank you, best wishes to you too.

[@my_garden.secrets]

Thank you sweetie, you dropped a few great tips for me .The frequent and low fertilizing which I saw at some super stunning botanical gardens. And leca for orchids. I'm going to transfer my orchids to leca too.Tonns of love and blessings from Botswana.🥰💚🤎

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@Rachelm-bg1rn]

From what I’ve read the silver root color is a layer of dead cells that assist in water absorption by giving something the water to accumulate on when roots are in the air without medium

[@senseiroster9769]

I always watch all your videos repeatedly and take down important notes. My plants are getting better and happier now. Likewise, i do share most of your tips to my plantita and plantito friends. Awaiting for more videos. From Cel of Phils.

[@onlyplants]

Thank you Im so happy to heart that!

[@melizasim7276]

very informative video. tq

[@onlyplants]

You’re welcome ❤️

[@miracudrag]

I just got my first orchid from my work colleagues. My first orchid. It's blue :))

[@Aerophire]

Gorgeous

[@ediltrudesramirez9334]

Hi i like your vedio its very informative. Pls upload more. Thank you.

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu

[@girasouljewelsinc.4078]

“I’m gonna liberate her” 🥺🙌🏾🌱🌟

[@cherylyeo25]

as usual, just in time for new year and CNY 202! may we all bloom with peace health and wellness! thanks for once again such an encouraging video!

[@onlyplants]

Happy New Year Cheryl 🙂

[@suegalletly8262]

Just subscribed 😊. Love your no stress way to care for your plants. After all, they are meant to bring us peace of mind ❤~~~

[@onlyplants]

Yes 🙌🏽 thanks for the subs!

[@cristianmmcosta]

I'm from Colombia and down there I always had orchids, no need for fungicides, anything, easy to grow and more than 10 years having orchids, even I propagated them in vitro. Here in the USA I have bought these clones and it has been so hard to keep them alive! I always buy them and water them, fertilize, a lot of care more than my natural ones in Colombia, but these ones always die, same problem: root rot. Thank you for your video.

[@onlyplants]

Maybe they arent as strong as naturally propagated ones… could also be an environmental factor

[@cristianmmcosta]

@@onlyplants maybe, so far I’ve bought 7 orchids and all of them died. Now I’m trying with those clay pebbles and that mix of fungicide and fertilizer from this video, let’s see if the new phalaenopsis survive, LOL 😂

[@ahnnahnewell5263]

You're so amazing, dude...and kinda cute....Also, when you were talking about the fertilizer bottle there was a toad behind the concrete bar.

[@onlyplants]

Haha cute I didnt notice that...

[@sabithajayadevan1599]

Super video

[@onlyplants]

Thank youu

[@tuyetvo4353]

I don’t keep Phalaenopsis pot in another pot - after water I want to make sure drain well. I keep some orchids in tall water vases- easy care - ever 2 -3 weeks- I clean the vase and refill with drinking water / filter water. don’t let water touch the leaves.. Spring time start new flowers 🌸

[@onlyplants]

Nice!

[@StasysFPV]

Thank you for the nice video. Two months ago I became interested in orchids and I think this will be my new hobby. Big like & sub.

[@onlyplants]

Thank you 🙏🏽😋

[@fharyana]

“Should I work in a gas station?”.. 🤣🤣🤣

[@catiekc7165]

this came with perfect timing for me--my mom just gifted me one, and i've killed every orchid i've had so im determined not to kill this one. i think i know what i did wrong--the leaves were never turned towards the sun! thats such an interesting fact, thank you. i've found that mealy bugs like orchids in the northeast of the states where i live! also, i love your commentary in the captions, they had me laughing while learning. thank you so much this was soo helpful :)

[@onlyplants]

good luck on your orchid!

[@catiekc7165]

update: it had root rot before i could even get to it. may it rest in peace.

[@joselynmangubat4214]

What kind of rooting your foot her rooting

[@xiomaraspence2162]

Thank you about the information on the neem oil, I did not know when to apply it😩

[@onlyplants]

I do it every 1-3 months. Its never consistent or on a scheldule. With phalaenopsis I dont often spray as they are not particularly pest prone

[@AndYourLittleDog]

I feel very strongly that you should get a vanda. If I can get mine to bloom in my kitchen in New Jersey, you could have a monster plant outdoors in Jakarta. It’s such a rewarding plant.

[@onlyplants]

I have 3 or 4 Vandas. One bloomed and the other one is blooming soon!

[@terracottaplantas2352]

So pretty 😍 I have some of them, phalaenopsis are my favorite orquíds. I have 2 of them in blooms.

[@carricowherd3826]

Omgosh can I just live in your greenhouse? 🤣

[@indrayudhakusuma7334]

Aku gaperna punya , and now I want one 😁

[@nanettealsop]

I just found your video today. I'm especially excited, as I used to live in Indonesia, for 12 years, out at the Semen Cibinong cement plant. I have only become fond of growing orchids for the past two years. In Cibinong I had some outside, which got hosed down each day. Your orchids look amazing - banyak bagus 🌷 I notice you don't worry about water collecting in the crown of the plant. Perhaps, because of the heat, the water dries up fast 🌞

[@onlyplants]

Yepp if indoors its best not to water the crown

[@kendravoracek3636]

💚💚

[@prolandeguzman4831]

Give me some shout out sean! More power🤘

[@Remylai]

Thanks for this great episode! Watching you misting (splashing) your moth orchids is just so satisfying. Here is a question. I am confused why all the moth orchids I bought from the garden center and supermarket here in Australia were all potted with Sphagnum moss. You can imagine the Sphagnum mosses retained too much water, and I always needed to squeeze the soft plastic pot to drain water out. If orchids are prone to root rotting, sphagnum moss should not be the potting medium. How do you think? Thanks.

[@onlyplants]

I would recommend to repot immediately. Commercially grown orchids are sold so that people kill them and throw them away after.

[@Remylai]

@@onlyplants I have repotted my moth orchid last night and I felt sad and annoyed when finding many rotten roots. It is now in a clay ball pot and finger crossed it will recover. Thanks a lot!

[@alona270]

You can use the leftover spray on your hoyas! They loooove orchid fertilizer. Thank you for the video. Baby orchids are amazing. I just got my first order of “real” orchids. If you like I’ll be happy to send you pics. They

[@onlyplants]

Whoaaaa I actually have this feeling too. But I have like 200 hoyas haha.

[@christinalucas5362]

Beautiful orchid I have 14 orchids and all beautiful but I'm having a hard time with the blooms I get a lot of bud blast I spray every 7-10 days, I have water underneath the pot that doesn't touch the root, planted all in orchid bark so I don't understand what I'm doing wrong Lately I've had a lot of bud blasts major problem

[@carolinexshelby]

Awww I never measure anything either ♥️♥️🤣 just keep pouring till my ancestors say it’s good lol

[@satyadevgoswamisatyadev6331]

Such a helpful details thank you, can you make video on an Anthurium? , like when it's growing in nature , it's potting mix, fertilizing watering etc.

[@onlyplants]

Do a search “onlyplants anthurium” and you can see a few of the species I covered so far. More on the way 😀

[@luxurydoll6007]

NEW SUBCRIBER

[@djojoastroanneke7176]

Hi Sean... how are you... I love all your videos..

[@onlyplants]

Good thanks, how are you?

[@djojoastroanneke7176]

@@onlyplants I making good here..

[@cosmo9362]

Thanks for the video. Your orchids and home are beautiful. Can this type of orchid be propagated from stem cuttings? And 7am is for peace and quiet, not lawnmowers or other loud equipment. 😁

[@onlyplants]

Yes you can do stem cuttings on this but they are so slow. Orchids are mostly produced by tissue culture or by seed.

[@flowersinthedesert7896]

Sean, for board or cork mounted orchids, do you recommend mounting them upside down? I think that's what you have done? Is that to prevent rot of the plant?

[@onlyplants]

It highly depends on the species and how it was grown since it was a baby. The ones I hung upside down were purchased that way. I believe phalaenopsis are mostly facing upwards cuz I havent seen one facing down

[@1cleandude]

Thanks for your time and expertise! What is the growing medium? Thanks 🙏

[@onlyplants]

I just use Leca, i also recommend bark or horticultural charcoal, or the combination of these

[@timotheysullivan382]

Great video...a lot of videos I've watched, and articles I've read, say I need a 5 to 10 degree temperature drop to entice the phalanopsis to begin to spike. How do you get yours to spike? Thanks

[@onlyplants]

I dont do anything to it… just good care and fertilize when I remember haha.

[@timotheysullivan382]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@sanyadsilva5581]

Lovely Video! I hope you see this comment! I just got my first Orchid today it’s the exact same colour as yours! it’s already bloomed has 6 flowers three unopened. How long do I keep them on my plant before I cut it? So I get a bloom again

[@onlyplants]

I would wait for the flowers to die off almost completely 😀 maybe with 2-3 sad flowers still hanging on

[@sanyadsilva5581]

Done I will do that! ❤️🙏 thank you for replying!!!

[@nagappann7404]

Lovely Phalaenopsis blooms. I have about 10 hybrid plants. Healthy with thick leaves and green root tips but yet to bloom. I believe you are from the tropics just like me in Malaysia. I have been discouraged after reading the cooler temperature requirements of these hybrids for flowering. Do you live in the highlands like Bandung or somewhere similar? I was infact planning to place them in an air conditioned room for the night to induce a temperature drop.

[@onlyplants]

I live in low lands, it is a challenge for them to rebloom but some hybrids can. Also good nutrients will help. Theres also chemicals that can help encourage them to bloom, although I’ve not resorted to that before.

[@fauxzein]

Love your video. Will the phalanoplis grow on a covered balcony in Southern California ?

[@onlyplants]

Yeapppp they can grow in many environments. Make sure its getting bright indirect light. The key is to fertilize often but diluted.

[@fauxzein]

@@onlyplants Please recommend a fertilizer that doesn't need to be used immediately after it's mixed...can be used several days later.

[@RHOMANTIC1]

I see that you spray the leaves of your orchid. I currently have an orchid that was propagated from a friend. I will pick up a orchid fertilizer. Should I place the orchid outside on my patio? Thanks for your video!

[@onlyplants]

Do not let water pool on the leaves or stem when indoors, try to dry them out as soon as you can. When outdoors its much safer to have the leaves wet. Be sure to get both the leaves and especially the roots when you fertilize

[@anjaliparmal]

Hi Sean, I have a phalaenopsis too....it was blooming when I received it then the blooms fell off. I was told not to cut off the stem but it broke off while moving. It still has two leaves. How do I get it to grow a new stem? Happy new year 😊

[@onlyplants]

Some advice to cut off the flower spike entirely after blooming. A new flower spike will emerge randomly in 6-12 months time

[@yonokzeller5402]

👍🏽🙏🥰

[@helenetrstrup4817]

"Or ten" 🤣 I currently have 7 and 2 basal kekis. One maybe secondary flowerspike or keiki, not sure yet.

[@xcmuhammadaliridho365]

hi sean! i like to know what shelf do you use for your orchid and where u got it!

[@onlyplants]

Ace hardware 😀

[@praxediscortina4260]

Do you have another video on orchids? I’m interested in how you pot them in leca.

[@onlyplants]

I dont at this time, my orchids were decimated by snails in my new home 😴😴

[@debrawarrick2911]

I have one Phalaenopsis Orchid that I bought with 2 flower spikes, 2yrs ago. After the flowers died, I cut back both flower spikes but it has only given me two new leaves, one each Fall/Winter...but no new flower spikes. :-/ I keep mine in sphagnum moss in a terra cotta pot. Each Summer, I set it on my covered south facing patio and bring it inside under grow lights each fall. Maybe I'll get lucky this next yr with a new flower spike.

[@onlyplants]

Try fertilizing it more heavily with orchid fertilizer. 😛

[@sarahlee7739]

Hey Sean Great video! Can you do a troubleshoot video? I have an orchid that the buds dried up and fell off before blooming. Another orchid was fully bloomed when bought but flowers started dropping after a week. SOS!

[@onlyplants]

I have a feeling its improper care. Check the roots to make sure its not rotted off. Do fertilize lightly as they respond really well to it. They also need decent light to stay happy 😀

[@sarahlee7739]

@@onlyplants thanks! Will have a look.

[@bhumphries1360]

I am SO glad that I found your channel! Extremely helpful and informative! The more you know, the healthier and happier your plants will be. Thank you! Ps, could you please tell me what pesticide you add to your fertilizer? And what type of fertilizer do you use?

[@bhumphries1360]

BTW, I subscribed! 😊

[@onlyplants]

I add curacron as pesticide and for fertilizer its this local brand with chinese words on it 😅 any orchid fertilizer you have in your area should work

[@janetwalker3609]

I want to learn more about orchids , I need help please.

[@veeghofar5179]

Thanks for your tips.. 😃 i've just bought a phal last week n repot it on leca and water on the bottom (1/3 of the root).. i wish it will grow well like yours.. should i spray with fert again or just dilute it with water?

[@onlyplants]

I dont quite understand the question 😅 do DM me so I can address it better @bo.tan.ist since youtube comments dont notify me of replies 😀

[@maeroa9470]

Thanks for this informative video. Made me want to take care of more phals.

[@Ellen-we2mu]

So Sorry, I found Dithane, would you use as systematic, as when watering inside?, Thanks!

[@onlyplants]

Yeppp but make sure you dilute it a lot

[@m.offord4836]

I just got an orchid and am very new to plants. I have a moisture meter in the pot it came in and am scared to repot it😣

[@indrayudhakusuma7334]

I only have one orchid , its dendrobium aphyllum , and thats it , never bloom in my care, but hey at least it still alives 😂, so wanna have phalaenopsis

[@onlyplants]

Give it bit of fertilizer and good light. Hope it will bloom!

[@blayneblythe5277]

Do you use hydrogen peroxide on your orchid? What temperature do you think is a good temp? I've got my little greenhouse in my livingroom where my air conditioner is but they aren't on top of it and I do run the growing lights equal to sunrise and sunset

[@onlyplants]

I dont use hydrogen peroxide on anything only because it burns my skin so bad. They will remove a lot of beneficial pests/bacteria in the soil too. Phalaenopsis seem to tolerate wide range of conditions. They can take cooler temps for sure as they are widely cultivated up in the mountins where its cooler. And its perpetually hot where I live now and they seem to grow ok too

[@ikillprettythingz7947]

😂 LOLOL I don't measure either! I fell out when you said that 😆👌👌👌😎 How do I know if my Orchid is a reblooming Orchid? All my flowers are done should I cut it down a bit thanks

[@onlyplants]

All orchids will rebloom with proper care 🤓

[@melizasim7276]

Hi Sean, you use leca outside without a reservoir ?

[@onlyplants]

Yes. For these orchids I dont recommend reservoir… they are true epiphytes

[@stephaniestrunk6664]

Love this video but ? They don't get fertilizer in the native ehy do you fertilize them js

[@onlyplants]

They do get nutrients in the wild… they come from rain water that trickle down dense foliage that finally rest on the leaves and roots.

[@StitchesbySharonH]

I don’t know if you respond to old videos, but I just adopted this orchid from someone who didn’t want it after the blooms died. I cut the stem to the next node. Should I fertilize it in the winter? It’s going to live indoors as we get very cold winters with snow. It’s in a Southeast facing window. Thank you in advance! 🙏🏻💜💚🪴

[@onlyplants]

I would skip fertilizing it for winter. And care for it by giving it bright indirect light and dont overwater it. It should be prolific growing come spring.

[@StitchesbySharonH]

@@onlyplants Thank you!

[@KarenManriquez-cx1fe]

what soil you use

[@loket7255]

Hi, i have a question what fertilizer is that for? Is that for roots? Do you also use bloom fertilizer?

[@onlyplants]

Its a generic one for orchids. Im pretty sure they contain micro and macro nutrients for roots, leaf, and flower 😀

[@csas360]

Hi ! May I ask , do u still spray fertiliser to the roots and leaves when the plant is at the flowering stage ? Can we still spray it ? Thanks heaps for the advice !! 😀

[@onlyplants]

Yepppp just dont spray the flowers 😀

[@csas360]

@@onlyplants thank u heaps for the advice !!

[@Ellen-we2mu]

What fungicide do you use in fertilizer? Thanks!

[@onlyplants]

The brand I use is dithane, antracol works well too

[@ln8394]

Hi, if the media is barks. Can you leave a little bit of water under the pot as you’ve done with your indoor orchid? Thanks

[@onlyplants]

I would actually let them dry out between watering. Water daily in their bark mix and maybe bottom water once every 1-2 weeks.

[@ln8394]

@@onlyplants I’ve decided to move to Leca too. Do I buy any standard Leca from eBay or do I have to buy a a specific Leca especial for orchid?

[@endor8witch]

my problem with them is that i bought them with flowers and once all flowers have died, just the leaves surviving and not thriving and certainly no reblooms

[@fmsad593]

How do you prepare leca when potting orchids? Do you soak them with water first?

[@onlyplants]

I rinse off any loose dust particles

[@fmsad593]

Thanks very much Sean!

[@manikshapatel6791]

Can we use the same way to care for my Vanda plants too .

[@onlyplants]

Vanda might be slightly different, but not by much. I believe vandas might like a bit more light, and a lot less media than phalaenopsis. Over here they are grown hanging in mid-air with roots cascading down freely