How to Grow Moth Orchids

Depending on the size of the plant, choose a 10-20 cm diameter pot that is very well drained. Place in a warm position that receives plenty of indirect light and is away from draughts and air conditioning. A warm, brightly lit bathroom is an ideal location for a Moth Orchid.

It is important to use a potting mix that has been specially designed for Orchids, such as Yates Specialty Potting Mix for Orchids, as it contains a coarse, free-draining bark mix.

Part fill the pot with  Yates Specialty Potting Mix for Orchids. Place the plant's root ball into the pot and gently backfill around the roots with Orchid mix. The final level of Orchid mix should be at the same level as the existing mix around the plant and not cover the base of the leaves.

Water in well to settle the mix around the roots. Apply water directly over the Orchid mix and not over the leaves - try using a watering can with a small spout to help with this.

Allow the Orchid mix to dry out slightly between waterings. Orchids do not like the mix to be constantly moist. 

Feed Moth Orchids with Yates Thrive Orchid Liquid Plant Food every 2-4 weeks during periods of flowering and leaf growth.

Ensure the plant is well hydrated and the Orchid mix is moist. This will help prevent plant stress and the mix will come away from the roots easier.

Gently remove the Moth Orchid from its existing pot. Carefully shake some of the old mix away, especially if it's mouldy/rotten. Cut off any dead roots.

Using the same pot, or a slightly larger one, part fill the pot with fresh Yates Specialty Potting Mix for Orchids. Place the plant's root ball into the pot and gently backfill around the roots with Orchid mix.

Water in well to settle the Orchid mix around the roots. Avoid wetting the leaves.

There are around 70 species of Phalaenopsis Orchids, with many hybrids and thousands of varieties. Plant breeders regularly introduce new and exciting flower colours and patterns. There are even miniature Phalaenopsis Orchids that grow less than 30 cm tall.

Moth Orchids like their Orchid mix to dry out slightly between watering. Check the moisture level in the Orchid mix by gently digging your finger into the top few centimetres of mix. You will be able to feel whether it's still moist or it has started to dry out.

An easy way to water a potted Moth Orchid is to submerge the pot in water so the water level comes to just under the surface of the Orchid mix. Water will seep up into the pot through the drainage holes. Leave the plant in the water for a few minutes then remove and allow to drain. Alternatively, use a small watering can with a narrow spout and apply water directly over the Orchid mix. Avoid watering the leaves or the centre of the plant as this can encourage disease.

Only re-water once the Orchid mix has dried out slightly. Moth Orchids will need less water during cool weather.

Watering Moth Orchids with ice cubes is a common recommendation. However, this advice is given primarily so people don't overwater their Moth Orchid as ice cubes contain small amounts of water. If you monitor the moisture level in the Orchid mix and only rewater when the Orchid mix has dried out slightly, using ice cubes is not required.

Moth Orchids are native to humid tropical forests and particularly during dry summer weather will appreciate some additional care. A potted Moth Orchid can be sat on a saucer of pebbles then water added to the saucer. This helps increase the humidity around the plant but doesn't allow the roots to be sitting in the water. Moth Orchids can also be grown in brightly lit humid bathrooms.

Moth Orchids need bright but indirect light. Direct sunlight coming through a window can burn Moth Orchids.

Moth Orchids can be grown in plastic, ceramic or terracotta pots, as long as the pot has excellent drainage holes. Moth Orchids do not tolerate wet roots. Special Orchid pots are available that have large drainage holes.

A plastic pot (with good drainage holes) can be placed inside a decorative cover pot (without drainage holes). However, it is crucial that water does not collect in the base of the decorative pot, as this can promote root rot. For pots with saucers, it is important not to allow water to remain in the saucer, as this can also promote root rot.

Moth Orchids in flower are usually available from garden centres year-round. However, for home growers, Moth Orchids commonly start flowering during cooling temperatures in autumn.

In their natural habitat, Moth Orchids grow up in the tree canopy of tropical forests, attaching themselves to trunks and growing in branch forks. This creates a very well-drained environment for the Orchid's root system. When growing Orchids in pots, a specially formulated Orchid mix, such as Yates Specialty Orchid Mix Orchids, should be used. It contains a coarse-grade mix that provides good drainage and aeration.

Yates Specialty Orchid Mix Orchids also contain a biostimulant for plant and root health and controlled-release fertiliser that will feed the Orchid for up to 6 months.

Moth Orchids should be fertilised with a complete plant food that has been specially developed with the right blend of nutrients to promote healthy green leaf growth, a strong root system and beautiful flowers. Here are three easy options for feeding Moth Orchids:

Yates Thrive Plant Food Spikes Orchids are easy-to-use fertiliser spikes. Simply push a spike into the Orchid mix and it will feed the Moth Orchid for up to two months.

Yates Thrive Orchid Liquid Plant Food is a concentrated liquid fertiliser. Dilute it in a watering can and apply over the Orchid mix. Reapply each week during the growing and flowering seasons.

Yates Thrive Indoor Orchids Liquid Plant Food Drippers contain ready-to-use liquid plant food. Simply snip the tip off the dripper and insert the end into the Orchid mix. Each dripper contains enough nutrients to feed for four weeks.

Once the Moth Orchid has finished flowering and the flower stalk is bare, cut the flower stalk back to 2 cm above the lowest node (bump on the stalk). This can help promote a fresh flower spike to develop.

Regular feeding with a specialised Orchid food, like Yates Thrive Orchid Liquid Plant Food, will also help to promote further flowers.

If your Moth Orchid came with a supporting flower stake and clips, keep these to support the next flower spike.

A small plant can sometimes develop on the flower spike of a Moth Orchid. This is called a "keiki". The keiki can be cut off and potted up into its own pot once the keiki's roots are around 5 cm long.

It's best to repot Moth Orchids every 2-3 years. After this time, the Orchid mix may have become compacted and the drainage and aeration reduced. The Orchid may have also stopped growing, or grown more leaves than normal and begun to die.

Repotting should be done once flowering has finished.

Gently remove the Moth Orchid from its existing pot, carefully shake some of the old mix away and cut off any dead roots. Part fill the pot with fresh Yates Specialty Potting Mix for Orchids. Place the plant's root ball into the pot and gently backfill around the roots with Orchid mix. Water in well to settle the Orchid mix around the roots.

Moth Orchids can grow outdoors in tropical climates, but in cooler areas, they are best grown indoors.

It is natural for some Moth Orchid leaves to gradually yellow and die and be replaced with new leaves. However, if multiple leaves are yellowing, particularly if they're coming from the centre of the plant, there could be a problem.

One of the most common reasons for yellow Moth Orchid leaves is over-watering. Ensure the plant is growing in a well-drained pot in free-draining Orchid mix, and that it is only watered when the mix has started to slightly dry out.

Lack of moisture can also cause leaves to yellow. The first symptoms of moisture stress are the leaves appearing dehydrated and crinkled then turning yellow.

Healthy green leaf growth requires an ongoing source of nutrients, so make sure the Moth Orchid is regularly fed with an Orchid fertiliser, such as Yates Thrive Plant Food Spikes Orchids.

Diseases can also lead to Moth Orchid leaves turning yellow. The chance of root rot diseases can be reduced by using well-drained pots and a special Orchid potting mix. It's also important to only water when the Orchid mix has started to dry out and avoid watering the plant's leaves.

One of the most common reasons for Moth Orchids dying is over-watering. Ensure the plant is growing in a well-drained pot in free-draining Orchid mix, and is only watered when the mix has started to slightly dry out.

Moisture stress can also lead to Moth Orchids dying. Check the moisture levels in the Orchid mix regularly and water when the mix just starts to dry out.

Also, check the amount of sunlight the Moth Orchid is getting. They do best in a brightly lit spot, out of direct sunlight. Moth Orchids will not do well in a dimly lit room.