About
A bulbous perennial from South Africa with strap-shaped, semi-erect, sometimes twisted, grey-green leaves and erect racemes of pendant, tubular flowers in yellow-green, heavily spotted or shaded with violet-purple in winter to spring. A distinctive and ornamental Cape cowslip for a cool, frost-free glasshouse or sheltered, sunny garden.
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
Plant details
Suggested usesWindowsills, warm rooms, terrariums. An outstanding houseplant.
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a bark-based orchid compost in bright, indirect light. Water weekly, allowing roots to dry between waterings. Min 16�C.
PruningRemove spent flower spikes by cutting above a node to encourage re-blooming.
PropagationDivide when the plant produces keikis (baby plantlets) on flower spikes.
Pest resistanceMealybugs and scale insects may occur on leaves and roots.
Disease resistanceRoot rot from overwatering. Crown rot if water collects in the leaf crown. Ensure drainage.