How to Grow and Care for Orchid Eros

The Phalaenopsis ‘Eros’ is a sought-after orchid hybrid prized for its elegant flowers and distinctive foliage. The blooms are a soft pink or a gentle lavender blush. This orchid inherits its characteristics from its parentage, a cross of Phalaenopsis schilleriana and Phalaenopsis stuartiana. From P. schilleriana, it receives its pinkish hue and mottled leaves, while P. stuartiana contributes the spots seen on the petals. This combination results in a plant that is visually appealing even when not in bloom.

Orchid Eros Care Guide

Light

Proper lighting is fundamental for Phalaenopsis ‘Eros’. These orchids perform best in bright, indirect light, such as from an east or west-facing window. An east-facing window is preferred because the morning light is less intense. If the leaves turn dark green, it may indicate insufficient light, while a reddish or yellowish tint suggests the light is too direct and intense.

Water

Follow a “soak and dry” watering approach to prevent the roots from staying overly wet. Before watering again, check that the potting medium is nearly dry. An indicator of the plant’s need for water is the color of its roots; silvery-green or white roots signal it is time to water, while plump, green roots mean they are hydrated. Water in the morning to allow the leaves and crown to dry before nightfall, which helps avoid bacterial growth.

Potting Medium

Phalaenopsis ‘Eros’ requires an airy, porous potting mix that provides excellent drainage while retaining some moisture. A common mixture consists of fir bark, sphagnum moss, and perlite. This combination ensures air can circulate around the roots, mimicking how these epiphytic orchids grow on tree trunks. Repotting is needed every one to two years, or when the medium begins to break down.

Temperature and Humidity

This orchid thrives in conditions found in many homes, making it a suitable houseplant. It prefers daytime temperatures between 70°F and 80°F, with nighttime temperatures between 60°F and 65°F. High humidity is beneficial, with levels from 50% to 70%. To increase moisture in drier homes, place the pot on a humidity tray with gravel and water, ensuring the pot sits above the water line.

Fertilizer

Regular feeding supports healthy growth and flowering. A balanced orchid fertilizer is appropriate for Phalaenopsis ‘Eros’. A “weekly, weakly” feeding schedule is effective, applying a one-quarter strength solution with every watering during spring and summer. During the fall and winter, reduce fertilization to once or twice a month. It is advisable to stop fertilizing once the plant initiates a flower spike.

Encouraging Reblooming

A healthy Phalaenopsis ‘Eros’ can be encouraged to rebloom after its flowering cycle. Initiating reblooming requires changing the plant’s conditions to signal a new flowering period. This process focuses on temperature manipulation and care of the old flower spike.

The primary trigger for a new flower spike is a consistent drop in nighttime temperature. For two to four weeks in autumn, the orchid should experience nightly temperatures 10-15°F cooler than daytime temperatures. Placing the plant near a window where it can feel the cooler evening air is often enough to initiate this process. Once this temperature differential is provided, a new spike should emerge from a node on the plant’s stem.

After the last flower fades, address the flower spike. Cutting the spike back to about an inch from the base allows the plant to direct energy toward stronger roots and leaves. This leads to more robust blooms in the next cycle.

Alternatively, inspect the spike for small bumps known as nodes. If the spike is green, cutting it an inch above a healthy node may encourage a secondary branch of flowers. This results in a quicker rebloom, though the flowers may be smaller. If the spike turns brown, cut it back to the base as it will not produce more flowers.

Common Problems and Solutions

Root Rot

A common issue is root rot, caused by overwatering or a potting medium that drains poorly. Identify root rot by inspecting the roots; healthy roots are firm and silvery-green or white, while rotten roots will be brown and mushy. To resolve this, remove the orchid from its pot, trim away all dead roots with a sterile cutting tool, and repot it in a fresh, airy potting mix.

Limp or Wrinkled Leaves

Limp or wrinkled leaves can indicate both under-watering and over-watering. Under-watering causes leaves to lose turgidity from a lack of moisture. Conversely, over-watering can cause root rot, which prevents the plant from absorbing water and leads to the same dehydrated appearance. To diagnose the cause, check the condition of the roots and the potting medium’s moisture level.

Common Pests

Phalaenopsis orchids can attract pests such as mealybugs and scale, which feed on the plant’s juices and can cause damage. Mealybugs appear as small, white, cottony masses, often hiding in the crevices where leaves meet the stem. Scale can look like small, brown bumps on the undersides of leaves. For minor infestations, dip a cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol and apply it directly to the pests to remove them.