Phalaenopsis Orchids-The Ins And Outs Of Watering and Proper Use of Soil
phalaenopsis
 
When it comes to taking care of flowering plants, the easiest of ways to harm a plant is to over or subsequently under water it.  The growing of Phalaenopsis Orchids is no different.  All plants, including orchids have a specific need when it comes to the amount of water it requires.  The amount of water an orchid requires is directly related to the covering you have.   So later I will also touch on the different growing environments or plant covering.  As important as the growing material and watering is to orchids, I strongly urge you to read the following and learn what is needed to ensure you are taking the best care of your plant.
Palaenopsis Orchids in general do not like to be dry to the point of wilting nor do they like to sit in water either.  These plants usually, in a typical home environment, need to be watered once a week to every 10 days.  This is just a general suggestion though.  It is recommended that you start with that and judge by the way that the orchid responds.  If the plant starts wilting, water a little more frequently.  Likewise, if the plant starts discoloring then maybe you are over watering it.
Another important fact about watering your orchid that is often overlooked is to be very careful to avoid getting any water on the flowers themselves.  The flowers on an orchid are fragile and can be damaged easily.  If a flower does get water on it the result is a shortened life span or shortening its endurance.
Now to go back to the topic I briefly mentioned in talking about watering, the covering you have your orchid growing in is important.  There are more choices out there than some people may realize.  First, there is the common potting soil.  This is not one of the better choices but rather one of the more common.  The next type, many professional orchid growers choose, which is sphagum moss.  This is a very common cover to grow orchids in as it produces thriving, beautiful plants.  Sphagum moss takes into consideration the orchids need for water and helps disperse it slower than ordinary soil. The next covering suitable for growing orchids in is stone.  This allows your plant the proper arrogation it requires.  You may also choose from bark, perlite or similar material. These choices all allow the water to enter the root as they need.
In conclusion, growing Phalaenopsis Orchids is relatively easy if you take the time to know what they require to grow.  Placing them in a suitable growing environment and watering them properly is the key to raising a beautiful, healthy plant.