Phalaenopsis Orchids/
The Taiwanese have always been aficionados of flower cultivation and for centuries have regarded the Phalaenopsis, known more commonly as the Butterfly (Moth) Orchid, to be the ultimate expression of good taste. An elegant and regal flower, its delicate tiara-like crown earns the Butterfly Orchid the title Empress of Orchids. Phalaenopsis are native throughout southeast Asia from the Himalayan mountains to the islands of Polillo and Palawan of the Philippines and northern Australia. Orchid Island off Taiwan is named after this orchid.
Phalaenopsis are typically found below the canopies of moist and humid lowland forests, protected against direct sunlight, but equally in seasonally dry or cool environments. The species have adapted individually to these three habitats. Phalaenopsis shows a monopodial growth habit. An erect growing rhizome produces from the top one or two alternate, thick and fleshy, elleptical leaves a year. The older, basal leaves drop off at the same rate. The plant retains in this way four to five leaves.
Phalaenopsis are among the most popular orchids sold as potted plants owing to the ease of propagation and flowering under artificial conditions. They were among the first tropical orchids in Victorian collections. Phalaenopsis have become extremely easy to grow and flower in the home, as long as some care is taken to provide them with conditions that approximate their native habitats. They are one of the longest flowering orchids, lasting for up to six months,. Phalaenopsis prefer to be potted in fir bark, which is more free-draining than the sphagnum moss. Keep Phalaenopsis in pots with a lot of drainage. One of the most numerous blunders that new growers make is to rot the roots. Water your Phalaenopsis early in the morning. This insures complete water evaporation on the foliage as well as the crown by nightfall. Water with rain, distilled, or reverse-osmosis water as the mix approaches dryness. Never use water that has been softened by a water softener. Generally Phalaenopsis require watering about once every 4 to 7 days.Overwatering and poor drainage cause the roots to deterioriate, therefore killing the plant. Being careful to water when you feel the soil is dry through and through is the safest thing to do.
Light is quite vital to the well-being of the phalaenopsis orchid. If grown in a windowsill, an east exposure proves to be the best. One must take care, though, not to burn the plant by allowing too much sunlight to shine directly on the plant. It is best to provide some shade, such as a sheer curtain, allowing perhaps a little more light to hit the plants in winter On the other hand, phalaenopsis grown in poor dark areas tend to grow floppy dark green leaves and rarely flower.
There are many factors that can cause buds to dry up and drop off the plants without ever opening. Check the following: Is the room too hot? Is the light level too low? Is the plant too dry or too wet (causing root rot, this is the most common cause)? Are you using softened water instead of clean water? Are you using too much fertilizer? Are the plants being subjected to a cool draft? Is the plant near strong fumes such as new carpets, refinishing woodwork, etc.?
Phalaenopsis roots are quite thick, and the green point at the ends signifies that the root is actively growing. It is okay for them to climb out of the pots. The flower spikes appear from the pockets near the base of each leaf. The first sign is a light green "mitten-like" object that protrudes from the leaf tissue. In about three months, the spike enlongates until it begins to swell fat buds. The buds will thus bloom. Usually you can tell what color the phalaenopsis is by looking at the bud color. After the flowers fade, some people prefer to cut the spike above the highest node (section). This may produce another flower spike or more rarely a keiki (a baby orchid plant that can be planted Re-pot plants every two years in spring.
Orchid breeders have done a lot of work on the Phalaenopsis genus and the hybrids come in a range of size, colour and patterns. They have succulent leaves and copious fleshy roots that should not be cut off or buried. Re-pot plants every two years in spring.
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