About
Medium sized, evergreen, upright growing epiphytic orchid. Broadly oval, green or dark green leaves up to 30cm long emerge from the centre of the plant and are main storage of water and nutrients. New flowering stems appear from the base of older leaves. Plant may oftern produce and carry flowers on two racemes at the same time, each up to 60cm tall. Long-lasting flowers are bilaterally symmetrical, harlequin type (where no two flowers are identical), white with dark burgundy centre and scattered burgundy spots. The burgundy-orange lip has a white-yellow edge on the side lobes.
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