Phalaenopsis orchid is one of the most popular. And the most unpretentious – even novice flower growers can care for her. But do we know everything about this plant? Let’s get to know Moth orchids better!
Orchid Phalaenopsis species
The familiar name for us “phalaenopsis” came into use in 1825. It was then that the director of the State Herbarium in Leiden (Netherlands), Karl Blume, discovered, as usual, on a small island in the Malay Archipelago, another orchid of this genus. He was looking at the twilight jungle through binoculars when a flock of white butterflies caught his eye. But when he got closer, it turned out to be an orchid. In memory of his mistake, he named the plant phalaenopsis, which in Greek means “like a moth.”
There are more than 70 species of Phalaenopsis. Most of them live in tropical rainforests, some grow on rocks, and there are some that live in regions with dry or cold seasons. And this leaves its imprints on agricultural technology.
In floriculture, all phalaenopsis are usually divided into 5 groups.
This includes natural species that have not been touched by selection. As a rule, they can be found with collectors – you are unlikely to find them in the general sale.
Phalaenopsis Stuart (Phalaenopsis stuartiana).
Its leaves are variegated, and its roots are silvery. The peduncle is long and branched (up to 80 cm), but there are a lot of flowers on it – sometimes up to 60 pieces at a time. Delicate white flowers with red spots at the base, in the center of the flower is an amber lip, smoothly turning into purple.
Phalaenopsis Schiller (Phalaenopsis schilleriana).
Its leaves are beautiful, variegated – silvery spots on a dark green background, the lower part of the leaf casts red. The inflorescence is up to 50 cm, and just a gigantic number of small (up to 7 cm in diameter) flowers form on it. In the right conditions, this orchid blooms in a beautiful, unique cascade.
Phalaenopsis pleasant (Phalaenopsis amabilis).
White large flowers up to 10 cm in diameter, about 20 pieces develop on the peduncle. The leaves are fleshy and oblong. They form a rosette of 3-5 leaves. Flowers bloom one by one.
Phalaenopsis Luddemann (Phalaenopsis lueddemanniana).
A beautiful orchid with hard paired leaves up to 25 cm long. Usually there are no more than 8 of them in a rosette. The flowers are white, like porcelain, with transverse stripes of purple, purple and chestnut hues. Smells very strong and nice!
Phalaenopsis deer-horned (Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi).
A very effective look. Its leaves are green, up to 22 cm long. The flowers are collected in peduncles of 12 flowers up to 4 cm in diameter, and they are of a very unusual color: yellow-green with red-brown transverse stripes. Plus, it’s also fragrant.
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