Phalaenopsis Orchid - Moth Orchid

The name Phalaenopsis means "Phalaen-like" which 

refers to Phalaena, which is a group of large moths.

Phalaenopsis hybrid

                  

The flowers of Phalaenopsis orchids resemble these

moths in flight; hence the name 'Moth Orchid'.

Phalaenopsis is an orchid genus which consists of

about 60 species. It is one of the most popular orchids

grown thanks to its easy culture.

Its native habitat includes Southeast Asia north to the

Himalayas and extents along the Pacific Rim from 

Taiwan's Orchid Island in the north, to and through

the Philippines on the islands of Polillo, Palawan,

Zamboanga del Norte, and Mindanao, in particular, 

all the way south to Northern Australia.

Most Phalaenopsis orchids are epiphytic orchids.  

This means that they derive the necessary moisture

and nutrients for their survival from the air and the rain

found in the local environment.

A few Phalaenopsis orchids are lithophytes, meaning 

they grow in and around rocks. When growing as

lithophytes, these orchids get their moisture and

nutrients from moss, rain water, litter, and their own 

dead tissue. 

Phalaenopsis hybrid

Moth orchids exhibit monopodial growth which means

they grow upward from one single point. Additional growth

comes from the top of each stem as it grows taller each

year.

The flower stalks begin their growing from the 'growing

point' which is located at the junction of two leaves 

generally found just above the soil level. (see picture below)

Phalaenopsis hybrid

    

The leaves of Moth orchids are thick and elliptical in

shape. Depending on the light exposure, the color of 

the leaves range from dark green (low light exposure)

to light green (high light exposure). 

As new leaves grow at the top, older leaves at the

bottom turn yellow and fall off.

The flower stalk appears where a leaf joins the stem.

Indoors the flower may last two months or longer. 

Phalaenopsis hybrid

                       

Some orchid plants form a new plant on their flower stalk.

This is called 'Keiki'. The term 'Keiki' is the Hawaiian word 

for baby or child, and literally means 'the little one'.  

Roots start to develop at the base of this new plant.

As soon as the roots are about 1 - 2 inches long, you can

cut off this new plant from the mother plant.  This new

rooted cutting can then be planted in a new container

filled with an orchid growing mix.

Phalaenopsis are low light orchids and thrive in an

eastern, or shaded southern or western window.

They also thrive under common grow lights. 

They do not like full sunlight.

As Phalaenopsis orchids are monopodial, they do

not have any pseudobulbs to store water. Therefore they

are not drought tolerant.

During the growth period water them when the exposed

roots show a silvery white color. This means watering

them about once a week. The potting medium or mix 

should be slightly moist. 

During their flowering period watering them every ten

days to two weeks should be sufficient.

The higher the humidity the more important it is to

provide proper airflow around the leaves and roots.

During the growing season fertilize your Moth orchid

weekly with an orchid fertilizer at 1/4 strength.

This means that when the manufacturer recommends

1 teaspoon of fertilizer per gallon, you use 1/4 teaspoon.

During the flowering season fertilize one a month.

To improve flowering some gardeners use a fertilizer

high in Phosphorus and Potassium during the fall

months of September and October.

Phalaenopsis hybrid

Phalaenopsis like warm temperatures between 75 and

85 degrees Fahrenheit although they adjust to normal

house temperatures in the 65 F to 75 F range.

The higher the temperature the more important it is

to provide proper humidity.

Blooming time for Phalaenopsis is usually in late

winter and early spring. Their long lasting flowers

open successively with sometimes more than

20 flowers open at one time. 

To induce flowering cooler night temperatures, 

55 F - 60 F, are recommended. 

Phalaenopsis grow in potting mixes which are

designed for orchids and provide rapid drainage.

If planted in containers, it is important that these

containers provide good drainage meaning they have

enough drainage holes at the bottom. 

They may also be grown in hanging baskets or mounted

to wood where humidity is set at greenhouse level.

Repotting of Phalaenopsis orchids should be done after

their blooming period every other year.

Phalaenopsis hybrid

                 

When watering or misting it is of utmost importance

to make sure there is no water at the growing tip.

Any remaining water at the growing tip may cause it

to rot. As Phalaenopsis are monopodial orchids with 

only one growing point, this means the demise of the

plant.

Therefore it's best to water and fertilize in the morning.

To read excerpts from
How To Grow Plumeria - Frangipani Anytime Anywhere! 
and for your FREE Tropical Plant Guide,
Grow Your Own Tropical Garden, visit
www.HowToGrowPlumeriaFrangipani.com

Are UK Plumeria Tropical Gardens Replacing the Classical English Garden in Popularity?

The classical English garden has traditionally been the hallmark of the stately manors throughout the UK for centuries. 
 

With their well-manicured lawns and gardens of traditional plants and flowers these gardens have always caught the eyes of gardeners and visitors alike. These gardens seemed well suited and irreplaceable in the minds and hearts of gardeners throughout the UK. Well-trimmed shrubs that outlined the English garden much like the walls of a castle protecting its inhabitants, the hedgerows protected the beautiful contents growing within its interior such as the classical English roses and other traditional annuals and perennials.

Many of these classical English gardens provided large greenhouses stationed nearby to be the workstations that provide the planting preparation, plant care throughout the season, and end of the season winter storage space for these famous favorite selected plants that reward the eyes of the visitor throughout the growing season.

These noted flowers include perennials like phlox, hibiscus, hydrangea, bee balm, lupine, and veronica. Among the collection of annuals one sees pansies, cosmos, and marigolds. Properly arranged and strategically placed are the herbs, vegetables, and fruit trees.

In recent years though UK residents have discovered tropical plants and their popularity has grown with each new discovery. With international travel and the exposure of tropical plants increasing, the “new garden” images make their way into the minds and hearts of UK gardeners with plant lovers turning to plumerias, orchids, poinsettias, birds-of-paradise, heliconias, gingers, canna lilies. One can also find banana plants, including Musa basjoo 'Japanese Fiber Banana in these new exotic tropical eye-catching gardens both indoors and outdoors throughout the UK. 

 

Many of these sub-tropical and tropical plants such as plumerias were dismissed from gardener’s plans because conventional wisdom believed it was impossible to grow these beautiful exotic plants and their companion plants outside their native habitat, and thus were not suitable for the temperate climate found throughout the UK. 

 

Plumerias planted in pots or in the ground during the summer months are surrounded by companion plants that include Asclepias tuberosa, gazania, Pentas lanceolata, verbena, just to mention a few.

Modern thinking has changed this long held view. More and more UK gardeners are discovering the success for growing plumerias and other beautiful tropical plants through the publication and distribution of tried and tested growing methods from others worldwide who live and grow these beautiful tropical plants in similar temperate zones as found in the UK. With the worldwide internet and shared information, the truth is that one can grow plumerias anytime anywhere from London to Los Angeles or Glasgow to Galveston. 

 

Following a well-defined and outlined growing method that has proven successful results in other temperate growing zones in the world, UK gardeners are joining the growing number of worldwide exotic plant lovers in creating their own little tropical garden of paradise right where they live beginning with the ever-popular plumeria - frangipani plant. 

Next, to receive your FREE tropical plants guide, Grow Your Own Tropical Garden, and for more information on growing plumerias, frangipani, successfully based on tried and tested methods visit How To Grow Plumeria.

Plumerias among other tropical plants

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