Phalaenopsis midiflora 'Olga'

Spring-Autumn · Indoors

Orchid fertiliser

Feed this plant with a specialist orchid feed every other watering while the plant is actively growing or flowering (orchids can grow and flower all year round). Some manufacturers supply one feed for foliage growth and another for flowering.

Spring-Autumn · Indoors

Feed regularly during growth

This plant can flower all year, so feed the plant regularly all year. Follow the feed manufacturer's directions for the amount of feed to use.

Spring-Winter · Indoors

Keep moist, but not standing in water

Keep moist at all times. Water more sparingly in winter, keep the compost just moist.

Spring-Winter · Indoors

Soak completely when watering

Water until water comes out of the bottom of the pot. Leave for 30 minutes or so until the compost is fully moist, then pour away the excess water so the plant pot is not standing in water. (This avoids waterlogging which can cause "root rot".)

Indoor temperature · Planting

Average room, cooler room (min 13C/56F) in winter

This plant thrives in average or cool rooms when grown as a houseplant (average room temperature is around 20C/68F). The minimum advisable temperatures at night and in the colder months are 13C/56F.

Indoor plant · Planting

Position in a bright spot, no direct sun

Give this a bright position away from the direct sun, especially direct sun at the height of the day. (Direct sunshine is too hot and can burn the leaves.) Move the plant to a brighter position in the room during winter and early spring.

Indoor plant · Planting

Support orchid

Orchids need supports (thin canes or "orchid sticks") to prop up the stems and the weight of the flowers. Often orchids are sold with sticks already in place. Use special "orchid clips" or string to fix the stems to the sticks. Don't tie them too tight.

Compost · Planting

Orchid compost for repotting

Use orchid compost designed for plants that are terrestrial, i.e. they grow in earth.

You can create your own using a mixture that includes equal measures of a coarse peat and grit with ten percent perliite and charcoal. Opinions vary on 'recipes' and if your interest develops, you can research the views of specialist growers.

Indoor plant · Planting

Remove dead orchid flowers

Remove dead flowers to maintain the attractiveness of the plant and to encourage new flowers to form. When all the blooms on a stem have died, remove the whole flowering stem.

Indoor plant · Planting

Dust plant

Plants need dusting every now and again to maintain their ability to absorb light and moisture. Wipe large leaves with a damp kitchen towel (don't use "wet wipes" that likely contain scents or other chemicals). Spray small leaves with water.