Indoor blossoms with vibrant colors that last and techniques to maintain their growth and repeat blooming
Phalaenopsis orchids, often known as moth orchids, have long been a favourite among houseplant enthusiasts due to their easy-care nature, long-lasting flowers, and elegant appearance. These stunning blooms can be found in various nurseries across the UK, making them a staple in indoor collections worldwide.
A Rich History and Popularity
Originating from Southeast Asia, Phalaenopsis orchids are epiphytic plants that have captivated horticulturists with their graceful "moth-like" flowers. Over time, numerous hybrids such as 'Dragon Dance' and 'Miraflore' have been cultivated, offering a diverse range of colours and forms suitable for home environments.
Caring for Your Phalaenopsis
Moth orchids thrive in specific conditions to ensure their continued health and blooming. Here's a quick guide to help you care for your new Phalaenopsis:
Light
Bright, indirect light is ideal for Phalaenopsis orchids. East or west-facing windows or under grow lights work well. Avoid hot, direct noon sun to prevent leaf burn.
Temperature
Prefer stable, warm conditions with nighttime temperatures around the mid-50s °F (about 13-15°C) to encourage flowering, especially in fall.
Watering
Water every 7–10 days during active growth, less frequently (10–14 days) in cooler months. Allow the moss or bark medium to nearly dry before thoroughly soaking again; under-watering is better than over-watering to prevent root rot.
Humidity
These orchids thrive in environments with higher humidity. Misting leaves occasionally helps, especially in drier indoor air.
Potting Medium
Use well-draining media such as orchid bark or sphagnum moss. Clay pots are recommended as they dry faster, maintaining healthy roots. Repot every 1–2 years after blooming or when the medium breaks down.
Feeding
Fertilize lightly and only during active growth (spring to fall) with a balanced orchid fertilizer.
Propagation
Phalaenopsis can be propagated through keikis (small offshoots from the flower spike), but commercial propagation uses tissue culture techniques to produce hybrids and maintain quality.
In summary, the moth orchid combines aesthetic appeal with accessible care protocols, making it a popular and enduring choice for both novice and experienced indoor gardeners.
Here are some popular Phalaenopsis varieties available in the UK:
- The Phalaenopsis Violet Queen variety features faintly striped violet flowers and a darker, rich-violet lip, growing to a size of 29cm x 28cm.
- The Phalaenopsis Safe Haven variety is an attractive orchid with simple white flowers, a deep-purple lip, and intricate, orange-speckled centers, growing to a size of 33cm x 30cm.
- The Phalaenopsis Perceval variety displays large purple-pink striped flowers with a dark-purple lip and has a size of 33cm x 30cm.
- The Phalaenopsis Sunny Shore variety has pale-yellow and white flowers spaced attractively along the flower spike, positioned above elegant upright leaves, and grows to a size of 32cm x 24cm.
- The Phalaenopsis Anthura Denver variety has large mid-green leaves and branched flower spikes, producing a mass of white flowers, which are faintly striped purple and have a purple lip, and grows to a size of 60cm x 40cm.
- The Phalaenopsis Dover variety has large mid-green leaves and plain white flowers with a yellow lip and mauve at the throat, often displaying three unbranched flower spikes, and grows to a size of 50cm x 35cm.
- The Phalaenopsis Anthura Salta variety has striped purple-pink flowers and a plain purple lip marked yellow at the throat, and grows to a size of 31cm x 20cm.
- The Phalaenopsis Birdie variety is a compact, multi-stemmed hybrid with pink-striped flowers, a plain mauve lip, and yellow throat, and grows to a size of 27cm x 27cm.
- The Phalaenopsis New Life variety has an elegant fusion of white, pink, and yellow flowers, and grows to a size of 32cm x 33cm.
- The compact orchid variety Phalaenopsis Puppy has bright-white flowers with golden speckled centers and grows to a height and spread of 40cm x 30cm.
- The Phalaenopsis Anthura Modena variety displays large lemon-yellow flowers with raspberry-speckled centers and grows to a size of 54cm x 33cm.
Moth orchids can be purchased from various nurseries across the UK, including Burnham Nurseries Forches Cross, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 6PZ, Laurence Hobbs Orchids Bailiffs Cottage Nursery, Hophurst Lane, Crawley Down, West Sussex RH10 4LN, Love Orchids, and The Glasshouse at RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley Lane, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB.
With careful care and attention, your Phalaenopsis orchid will reward you with beautiful, long-lasting flowers that will brighten up any room. Happy gardening!
- Cultivating Phalaenopsis orchids in gardens and homes contributes to a greener environment, enriching the overall lifestyle with their aesthetic appeal and easy-care nature.
- The widespread popularity of Phalaenopsis orchids, with their diverse range of colors and forms, makes them a staple in indoor collections worldwide.
- Photography enthusiasts can capture the elegance of moth orchids in various nurseries across the UK, showcasing these stunning blooms in picturesque settings.
