Phalaenopsis
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Phalaenopsis (Blume 1825) is a genus of approximately 63 species of orchid (Orchidaceae) native throughout Southeast Asia from the Himalayan mountains to the Philippines and Northern Australia.
Phalaenopsis (commonly referred to as “Phals”) are among the most popular orchids sold as potted plants owing to the ease of propagation and flowering under artificial conditions.
The generic name originates from the Greek phalaina, “moth” and opsis, “like,” descriptive of the inflorescences of some species, which resemble moths in flight. For this reason, Phals are sometimes called “Moth orchids.” Most are epiphytes; a few are lithophytes. In the wild they are typically found below the canopies of moist and humid lowland forests.
Phalaenopsis are 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. In nature, they are typically fond of warm temperatures (68 to 95 F/20 to 35 C), but are adaptable to conditions more comfortable for human habitation in temperate zones (60 to 86 F/15 to 30 C). Phals require high humidity (60-70%) and low light (around 1,200 to 2,000 foot-candles). Flowering is triggered by a daily drop in temperature of around 10 degrees Fahrenheit (or 6 degrees Celsius) for 2 to 4 consecutive weeks.
Innumerable horticultural hybrids of Phalaenopsis have been created over the years, and these are usually more adaptable to artificial conditions than their botanical ancestors. Most are hybrids of Phalaenopsis amabilis with Phalaenopsis schilleriana or Phalaenopsis stuartiana.
Further reading
- Harper, Tom. “Phalaenopsis Culture: Advice for Growing 20 Species.” Orchids Magazine, Volume 73, No. 2 (February 2004). Delray Beach, FL: American Orchid Society, 2004.
- Leroy-Terquem, Gerald and Jean Parisot. Orchids: Care and Cultivation. London: Cassel Publishers Ltd., 1991.
- Schoser, Gustav. Orchid Growing Basics. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 1993.
- White, Judy. Taylor’s Guide to Orchids. Frances Tenenbaum, Series Editor. New York: Houghton-Mifflin, 1996.