BellinaDear Diary
February always feels like a secret holiday for me because it means the Southern Ontario Orchid Society Show is here again. The Toronto Botanical Garden becomes a dreamscape of blooms and gentle chatter. As soon as I walk through the doors I can smell the faint sweetness of orchids carried on the warm air. Rows upon rows of vibrant petals greet me each one vying quietly for my attention. Some blooms look like little painted masks while others are soft cascades of pastel.
I wander slowly letting myself stop wherever my eyes and heart agree. This year I find myself completely enchanted by a particularly cheerful yellow Phalaenopsis. While I adore the rare species and unusual hybrids on display there is something about the humble grocery store Phalaenopsis that I will never outgrow. It may be common but it is steady dependable and endlessly rewarding.
Every autumn I start preparing my Phalaenopsis for its next show. In September I crack open the windows at night letting the crisp air cool the room to about 15°C (59°F) while daytime temperatures linger around 25°C (77°F). That gentle ten-degree drop is the secret signal that tells the orchid to start spiking. By December or early January the reward arrives in the form of graceful stems crowned with blooms that can last three to six months depending on the plant’s genetics.
Caring for them is delightfully simple. I watch the roots more than the calendar. When the roots turn silver it is time for a soak. I give them about fifteen minutes in a bowl of water letting them drink deeply before returning them to their pots. If the roots are still green I wait. I like to feed them a little water-soluble fertilizer every time I water though a slow-release fertilizer every three months works just as well. They thrive in bright rooms without direct sun and somehow always look elegant even in the quiet months when no flowers are in sight.
The blooms are my winter company filling my home with a patient beauty that reminds me spring is on its way. Even though my favorite specialty orchid will always be the Phalaenopsis bellina I think the regular grocery store Phalaenopsis has my heart in a different way.
Phalaenopsis Orchid Care Summary
Temperature: Ideal daytime temperature is 25°C (77°F) with nighttime temperatures around 15°C (59°F). A 10°C (18°F) drop in fall encourages flower spikes.
Light: Bright indirect light is best. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent leaf burn.
Watering: Water when roots turn silvery white. If roots are green wait before watering. Soak the plant for 15 minutes and drain thoroughly.
Fertilizer: Use a balanced water-soluble orchid fertilizer at quarter strength with each watering or apply a slow-release fertilizer every three months.
Humidity: Moderate household humidity (40–60 percent) is suitable.
Bloom Time: Typically blooms in winter to spring with flowers lasting 3–6 months depending on variety and care.
Key Tip: In early fall provide cooler nights to trigger blooms.
Phalaenopsis orchids also known as moth orchids are one of the easiest orchids to grow indoors. With minimal care they can bloom reliably every year and add long-lasting beauty to any home.
