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Phalaenopsis Orchids Phalaenopsis

Phonetic Spelling
fay-lay-NOP-sis
Description

One of the most widely grown orchid genera.  They prefer low light, warm temperatures, and high humidity.  The aerial roots can photosynthesize, producing a green color from chlorophyll production.

 

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Container Gardens
Cultivars / Varieties:
P. equestris, P. schilleriana
Tags:
#houseplant#epiphytic#orchid#ebh-h#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#hsc#hsc-fl
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
P. equestris, P. schilleriana
Tags:
#houseplant#epiphytic#orchid#ebh-h#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#hsc#hsc-fl
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Phalaenopsis
    Family:
    Orchidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Tropical & Subtropical Asia, NE. Australia
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Epiphyte
    Houseplant
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Shape:
    Lipped
    Flower Petals:
    Colored Sepals
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers usually in white, pink, and purple in various patterns. 2 true petals, 3 sepals, a "lip", and a "column" that contains the reproductive parts.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Sheath
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Obovate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Thick green leaves 6-10 in long, 3-6 per plant, with few visible veins. Young leaves are glossy and clasp the flowering scape.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Insignificant
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Acaulescent, no visible stem.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Design Feature:
    Specimen