About
Evergreen, epiphytic orchids, with fleshy, broadly oval leaves and one or more arching stems bearing yellow flowers with feathered red edges and purple centres over a long period at any time of year.
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 moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1A
Plant details
Plant typeHouseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse
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 open, bark-based, epiphytic orchid compost allowing the aerial roots to hang outside the container. Provide bright filtered light, good ventilation and, from spring to autumn, mist daily for high humidity. Water freely as compost dries out, allowing water to drain and apply an orchid fertiliser monthly. Provide a minimum day temperature of 17°C and night minimum of 15°C. See phalaenopsis cultivation
PruningNo pruning required; cut back flowered stems to a lower node to encourage further flowers
PropagationSmall plantlets (keiki) may appear from the nodes on the flower stems. Detach plantlets when they have developed several good roots and pot them up in orchid compost. Water sparingly at first, but mist them daily
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free