These two are my first Phalaenopsis orchids I got about one year ago.

Like pretty much all of my other orchids, both phal and other types, I saved them from the trash for 1€ and then cared for them properly.

I will do another post soon once they're in full bloom, with a small guide on what I've learnt so far.

One thing I noticed is that they look way cooler imo when you just let them do their thing. I apparently really just don't like the way they are forced to grow when you buy them.

In nature, they attach themselves to tree trunks meters above ground and grow sideways.

Ever killed an orchid by spilling water on the crown? Too bad. Where they grow in nature, this happens daily, and they like it!

When they grow upright like we force them to, water can't flow anywhere and they get crown rot.

I don't rotate them and they search their way to the sun to suck up every juicy delicious photon. That way they get enough energy to bloom like crazy!

Oh, and when we speak about blooming. Flower spikes. Why the hell should I stake them?

Again, most orchids available grow on trees. Not in grass. They have literally ZERO reason to grow upright like they do in supermarkets.

They just grow towards light. Sure, you can force them again with wooden sticks to grow just like EVERY other stupid flower on this planet. But WHY would you?

They have this natural grace and the individual flowers grow in a beautiful arch downwards.

Orchids in general are just so cool and I find them even cooler when they can play out their amazing characteristics!