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The Phalaenopsis Orchid
The Phalaenopsis orchid family was most likely named for a family of beautiful
moths, called Phalaena. This reference was the reason the Phalaenopsis orchids
are often called "Moth Orchids". There's even an island named after the moth
orchid specifically, off the coast of Taiwan; Orchid Island. The Phalaenopsis
orchid is especially indigenous to Asian islands and countries, however,
flourishes well enough in many subtropical and tropical regions as well. There
are almost one hundred different species in the original plants, although of
course many more hybrids are bred or formed naturally over the years. Despite
the wide variety of species, there are two main distinctive categories for the
Phalaenopsis orchid. One variety is a group with branched inflorescence that can
grow to almost a meter long, with large and almost entirely round flowers, with
either white or rosy tint in their colour. The Phalaenopsis are usually found in
the wild, growing in the shade, although some species can also withstand direct
sunlight.
Growing Phalaenopsis Orchids
Moth, or Phalaenopsis orchids have risen in popularity, and are quite often
grown at home. Not only are their blooms attractive and numerous, but they can
also last up to three months without wilting. The Moth Orchid is also especially
easy to care for indoors, unlike other types of orchids which require more
supervised conditions. As long as extra humidity is supplied by the owner, the
plant will do fine. The Phalaenopsis orchid prefers low light conditions, and
leaves that appear dark green indicate too little light, while more yellow
leaves indicate too much light. A normal home temperature, such as 72 to 78 F,
is ideal for the plant, however, allowing the temperature to drop below 60 F is
dangerous for the plant, though the plant should be allowed to spend three weeks
of the fall in 60 F temperatures for its resting period. This ensures a
healthier plant, and flourish blooms in the warmer months to come.
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