Scientific Name:
Phalaenopsis
cvs.
Pronunciation:
fayl-ie-NOP-sis
Common Name:
moth orchid
Family Name:
Orchidaceae
Plant Type:
Flowering pot plant
Key ID Features:
Stems compressed; leaves alternate, broadly elliptic to obovate, margin entire, glossy, dark green; florets with 5 tepals plus lip (modified lower petal), in raceme on long sturdy green peduncle, very long lasting (some species resemble months).
Habit:
Arching, Epiphytic
Form:
Vase
Texture:
Coarse
Mature Height:
0.2 - 0.4m
Mature Spread:
0.6 - 1.0m
Growth Rate:
Slow
Origin:
Australia / New Zealand, Garden origin, S.E. Asia / Japan / China
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 11: (above 4 °C)
Exposure:
Filtered shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Landscape Uses:
Cut flower or foliage, Floristry, Indoor plant
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate, Basal
Texture/Venation:
Succulent, Parallel venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Summer:
Dark-green
Shapes:
Elliptic, Obovate
Apices:
Obtuse
Bases:
Acute, Truncate
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Raceme, Panicle-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
3
Corolla Shape:
Bilabiate
Ovary Position:
Inferior
Colour (petals):
White, Yellow, Green-yellow, Purple, Pink, Red, Brown
Flower Time at Peak:
Can flower any month
Additional Info:
The three larger sepals white or coloured; racemes may occasionally form a side branch making them more panicle-like,
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Additional Info:
Fruit insignificant
Bark or Stem Colour:
Organ Modifications:
Aerial or climbing roots
Propagation:
Division - above ground parts, Tissue culture
Optimal Temp.:
Medium
Light Level:
High
Maintenance:
Medium
Other:
Bright light but avoid direct sun; 15-29 °C; water every 7 (summer) to 14 days (winter) when pot feels light and let drain; after last flower wilts, cut peduncle 2-3cm below the first bloom; if no branching after 6-8 weeks then cut all the way back
Pest Susceptibility:
Bacterial leaf spot, Mealybugs, Virus (Pest resistant, Disease resistant)
