Honest review: Phalaenopsis is rewarding but crown rot from water sitting in the leaf crown is real

Phalaenopsis is a genuinely satisfying plant to grow, but I want to be upfront about one thing: crown rot from water sitting in the leaf crown. I've dealt with it twice now and it takes consistent attention to manage.

Beyond that, wide hybridisation resulting in an almost unlimited colour range makes it one of my favourites in the collection. I keep it in a bright bathroom with natural humidity which suits it well. Learning about feeding with a half-strength orchid fertiliser weekly in summer has been essential. triggering a new flower spike with cooler autumn nights is worth waiting for — the plant really justifies itself then. Four stars because of that persistent issue.