About
A small, epiphytic, evergreen orchid with broadly-oval, fleshy leaves up to 20cm long and 3-4cm wide. From spring to winter, bears simple or branched, upright or arching racemes, up to 35cm long. Small flowers up to 2cm across are pale pink with deep pink or purple lip, streaked with dark red.
About the genus
Phalaenopsis are a large genus of species and hybrid mainly epiphytic orchids. Short, upward growing, stem-like rhizomes with no pseudobulbs produce oval, fleshy mid to dark green leaves and flowers in branched racemes from the base of the leaves
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil pHNeutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1A
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesHouseplants
Native toPhilippines, Taiwan
Care notes
CultivationGrow in an open bark-based orchid compost or mounted on cork bark, where sufficient humidity can be provided. Provide enough bright filtered light, but keep away from direct mid-day sunlight or heating source. Ideal temperatures are around 17°C at night and 20 - 25 °C during day. Mist aerial roots regularly and water the plant when almost dry - pale, silvery roots are a good indication when to water. Orchid fertiliser can be applied regularly throughout the season. See Phalaenopsis cultivation for more details
PruningNo pruning required. Cut back green flowered stem to lower node to encourage further flowering. Remove the flowered stems once yellow and dry
PropagationPropagation by seed is only possible in controlled laboratory environment. Mature plants may produce sideshoots (keiki) which may be removed and potted separately into sphagnum moss when the new roots are at least 2cm long
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mealybugs, aphids and scale insects
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free. Avoid watering centre of the leaf crown, to prevent bacterial rots