Hello Orchid Lovers!!
We’re back with another comprehensive guide to growing and caring for beautiful orchid species. In this article we have brought Phalaenopsis Amabilis as known as “The Lovely Phalaenopsis”.
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Phalaenopsis Amabilis |
For your easy reference we have added the topics that will be covered in this article down below:
- Whats is Phalaenopsis Amabilis and why it’s special
- Similar names in different regions
- Subspecies and Variants
- How to Identify
- Where to Find
- What time of year do they bloom?
- Characteristics
- Most Popular P. amabilis Primary Hybrids
- Discovered by
- Grow and care of P. amabilis orchid
- Light
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Substrate and growing media
- Watering
- Fertilizer
- Pest Control
- Rest period and repotting
- P. amabilis FAQ:
1. Why Phalaenopsis Amabilis is special?
The Phalaenopsis amabilis orchid, or the moth orchid, is essential in the evolution of today’s standard Phalaenopsis orchid hybrids.
You can use these plants as exotic gifts and use as a home and office decoration. It represents refinement, friendship, perfection, numerous progeny, all things feminine, noble, and elegant. It has the appearance of large moths or butterflies flying through the air.
2. Similar Names of Phalaenopsis amabilis
This lovely lady Phalaenopsis amabilis orchid has got many names. Few of them are the Lovely Phalaenopsis, Cymbidium amabile, Epidendrum amabile, Synadena amabilis, and Phalaenopsis grandiflora.
3. Subspecies and Variants
- P. amabilis spp. amabilis
- Phalaenopsis amabilis spp. moluccana
- P. aphrodite spp. rosenstromii
- Phalaenopsis aphrodite spp. formosana
- P. sanderiana
- Phalaenopsis grandiflora var. aurea
- Phalaenopsis amabilis var. aurea
4. Identify P. amabilis Orchid
Where to Find
Northern Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and New Britain are all home to Phalaenopsis amabilis. This lovely Phalaenopsis is one of the floral emblems that symbolize Indonesia.
These Plants usually grows high on trees or on branches of trees in this vast area, at elevations up to 600 meters. They are sometimes so close to the ocean that saline water is sprayed on them.
What time of year does phalaenopsis bloom?
The Lovely Phalaenopsis orchid blooms in the spring and summer.
Characteristics
- It is a medium size, hot to warm growing , robust, epiphytic plant.
- It has a short, pendulous, robust stem enveloped by imbricating leaf bases.
- The stem bears 3 to 5 fleshy or coriaceous, arcuate, endant, ovate-elliptic, obovate to oblong-oblanceolate, obtuse to subacute, shiny green leaves.
- The leaves are 10-46 cm long with purple-colored undersides.
- The leaves may fall in natural habitats with a longer dry season.
- Phalaenopsis amabilis long-lasting flowers blooms as slender, to 3′ (90 cm) long.
- And its flowers are in the shape of a raceme (racemose) or in panicles (paniculate).
- The flowers are 8-9 cm in diameter. But some specimens may reach up to 13 cm.
- Their wide petals, are milky white, and are quite often shows pink on the underside.
- Beautiful yellow and red dots scatters throughout the lip cones.
5. Most Popular P. amabilis Primary Hybrids
- P. amabilis x aphrodite ‘Bataan’
- P. amabilis x amboinensis ‘Deventeriana’
- P. bellina x amabilis ‘Amabell’
- P. borneensis x amabilis
- P. amabilis x appendiculata
- P. amabilis x bastianii
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Phalaenopsis Amabell Photo : Dr. Robert Jan Quene |
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Phalaenopsis Amabell Photo : Dr. Robert Jan Quene |
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| Phalaenopsis Deventeriana Photo : Bernard Lagrelle |
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6. Discovered by
Ludwig Blume descovered The Lovely Phalaenopsis in 1825.
7. Grow and care Phalaenopsis amabilis Orchid
Here we are giving a brief idea about each and every condtion and that you should consider n order to grow a appy and healthy Orchid plant. At the end you will be able choose what are the best cultural methods and conditions for you and your plants.
These plants grow attached to live trees and coconut palms. You can use Manila and MacArthur palms if available. Let’s dive in to our detailed facts.
Light
The first factor we are going to mention is the light level. P. amabilis orchid usually requires the light level of 12,000-15000 lux. These plants can tolerate morning sun. Apart from this bright filtered light is recommended all year. Cloudless days are uncommon in natural habitats. The level of light can be quite high if the cloud layer is smooth. During the short-day winter months, you can provide some supplemental artificial light to encourage flowering.
Temperature
The next factor is the temperature. P. amabilis. is a thermophilic plant. It can survive in colder climates. Low night temperatures are more important in the fall and winter months. Most importantly it encourages blooming of these long-lasting flowers which happen over several months in the spring and early summer. The average summer day temperature is 28-30 ° C and night 21-25 ° C with a daily amplitude of 7-8° C. The average winter day temperature is 29-30 ° C and night 19-21 ° C with a daily amplitude of 10-11° C.
Humidity
This species requires a humidity level of 70-80%. You can place the plants on trays of moist pebbles and mist daily to keep blooming your lovely flowers throughout the winter. Furthermore strong air movement is beneficial to plants.
Substrate and growing media
You can make a peat-based mixture,bark, or osmunda. Put a shallow layer of clay-pot segments in the bottom of the pot for drainage. These orchids thrive in sphagnum moss-lined wooden or wire baskets.
Watering
These plants can withstand some drying. They will grow and bloom more quickly if you can maintain the humidity of the substrate at a constant level. If you leave the orchid’s roots standing in water for an extended period of time, it can develop root rot. Watering in the morning is ideal.
Fertilizer
Especially during active growth, 1/4 to 1/2 of the recommended orchid fertilizer dose can be applied. For instance you can do this every third or fourth watering once a week or once every two weeks for effective results. In winter, you should reduce watering and limit fertilization for 2-3 months.
Pest Control
Like all Phalaenopsis leaves, these must be protected from sucking insects like thrips, mites, aphids, and caterpillars. Spider mites can be controlled with a dilute soapy water solution or a miticide like Ascend or Omite purchased commercially.
It is critical to avoid rotting in the rainy season. For that you can spray plants with a recommended dose of systemic insecticides like Lannate and Sevin. You can use a weekly spray of dilute fungicides like Captan and Dithane.
Rest period and repotting
Plants should not be allowed to dry out completely. Their natural habitats have high average humidity. Moisture is readily available in the form of dew, fog, or showers, and this moisture is absorbed and stored in exceptionally long roots.
Every two years, repot the Phalaenopsis amabilis orchid into slightly larger containers. After the plant has finished flowering, re-pot it in a new mixture. First you have to clean away any old potting mixture from the roots and cut away any dead roots. Move the orchids into a shaded area for three or four weeks after repotting.
8. P. amabilis FAQ:
Q: My plant have a huge number of aerial roots. Is this normal.?
A: If their air roots are firm and white, they are healthy. You don’t need to do anything at all. This is a normal behavior.
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