About
Compact, evergreen, upright growing, floriferous epiphytic orchid. Flowers are bilaterally symmetrical, sepal and petals are dark pink or violet with a white edge and darker purple lip with central yellow callus spotted red. Long lasting flowers borne in succession are carried on cascading, branched racemes up to 20cm long. New flowering stems emerge from the base of older leaves. Broadly oval, green or dark green leaves measuring up to 15cm emerge from the centre of the plant and are main storage of water and nutrients.
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
Care notes
CultivationGrow in an open bark-based orchid compost. 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.
PruningNo pruning required. Cut back flowered stem to lower node to encourage further flowering.
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