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Phalaenopsis Moth Orchid

Phalaenopsis Moth Orchid

​Phalaenopsis spp.

  • Common Name: Phalaenopsis Moth Orchid
  • Scientific Name: Phalaenopsis spp.
  • Family Name:    Orchidaceae
  • Origin: Southern China, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and New Guinea
  • Height: 12” – 18”
  • Width: 24” – 36”
  • Growth: slow
  • Zone: 10B - 11
  • Light Needs: prefer low light to indirect light, if they are in direct sunlight the leaves will burn. (Olive green foliage/correct amount of light, dark green foliage/not enough light, red-tinged leaves/too much light, and if they do not get enough light it will hinder or prevent blooming.
  • Salt Tolerance:  none
  • Soil/PH/Texture: epiphytic, meaning in nature they grow on the branches and trunks of trees. You can grow them in sphagnum moss or bark with plant fibers, (pH 6.5 – 7.5) Fertilize your orchid twice a month with a soluble orchid fertilizer such as 30-10-10 or 20-14-13; this is a solid fertilizer that you dilute in water.
  • Soil Moisture: if grown in sphagnum moss, water less frequently, new, or tiny plants and seedlings may require more frequent watering. It should never completely dry out because it has no water-storing capacity except in its leaves, but at the same time too much watering will cause root rot.
  • Drought Tolerance: low to none
  • Pests/Diseases: Mealy bugs and scale Typical diseases that can occur are epiphytotic diseases (Phytophthora), bacterial brown spot (Erwinia, Pseudomonas), anthracnose (Colletotrichum, Glomerella, Cylindrosporiuum, etc.), and spot blotch (Alternaria).
  • Growing Conditions: one of the easiest orchids to grow indoors or outdoors
  • Characteristics: Phalaenopsis orchids are monopodial; they grow vertically from a terminal growth point. New alternate, ovate, and leathery leaves will appear at the top of the plant each year, while the older leaves at the base of the plant die off that are about 12” to 24” in length. Flowers of 10 to 20 flowers with five petals, and from 2” – 4” in diameter, vary from yellow, orange, white, purple, pink, peppermint striped and two-toned varieties.
  • Propagation: by division, back bulbs, and offshoots
  • Wildlife: attract bees, birds (hummingbirds), and butterflies
  • Facts: unknown
  • Designer Considerations: use in containers inside or on your patio or deck. They can also be planted on trees, bark, or wood.