Phalaenopsis, Genus, amabilis, Species,
- Genus & species
Moon orchid
Indonesia, Malaysia, New Guinea, and northern Queensland
Overview
Phalaenopsis amabilis is a perennial, evergreen epiphytic orchid in the orchid family (Orchidaceae), 18–36 inches (45–90 cm) tall including the flower spike, with a rosette 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) wide. The stem is short and monopodial, hidden by 3–6 fleshy, oblong to elliptic leaves 8–20 inches (20–50 cm) long and 2–5 inches (5–12 cm) wide, dark green, with thick gray-green aerial roots that attach to bark. Flower spikes are arching and branched, 20–40 inches (50–100 cm) long, and carry 10–20 or more white flowers 3–4 inches (7–10 cm) across, with a three-lobed lip marked with yellow and red. Individual flowers last 6–10 weeks. Plants add 2–3 leaves per year and grow at 65–85°F (18–29°C). Leaves are damaged at temperatures below 55°F (13°C), and water that collects in the crown causes rot.
Native Range
Phalaenopsis amabilis is native to Indonesia, including Borneo, Java, and Sumatra, to Malaysia and New Guinea, and to northern Queensland, Australia. It grows on tree trunks and branches in lowland and hill rainforest at elevations from sea level to about 2,000 feet (600 m).Suggested Uses
Grown as a potted houseplant in homes and greenhouses at 65–85°F (18–29°C), and mounted on cork bark or tree fern slabs in humid tropical gardens. The species is a parent of many hybrid moth orchids.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'6" - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Flowers open from March to June in cultivation on spikes that emerge after 3–4 weeks of night temperatures of 60–65°F (16–18°C). Individual flowers last 6–10 weeks, and branched spikes carry 10–20 or more flowers. After flowering, spikes cut above a node can produce side branches and a second flush within 8–12 weeks.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White with a yellow and red-marked lipFoliage Description
Dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in bright, indirect light with 2–4 hours of filtered sun, in a coarse bark mix with a pH of 5.5–6.5, in pots 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) wide. Grown outdoors in USDA zone 11 and kept above 55°F (13°C). Roots are watered once every 5–7 days when they turn silver-gray, and water does not stay in the leaf crown. Fertilizer is applied at quarter strength every 2 weeks while plants are growing. Repotting is done every 1–2 years as bark breaks down. Mealybugs, scale, and bacterial crown rot affect plants.Pruning
Spent spikes are cut 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the second node from the base after flowering, or at the base if the spike has yellowed. Dead leaves and shriveled roots are removed with sterilized shears.Pruning Schedule
Prune: May–June
late spring
Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons
