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Phalaenopsis schilleriana
Moth Orchid
| The lovely Moth Orchids have an undeserved reputation for being difficult. In fact, they are happy with normal home temperatures. They do not need a lot of fussing over, just regular feeding and watering -- as monopods, they cannot store these necessities as the pseudobulb Orchids do. And they are among the best bloomers in the family. Sprays of buds open over a period of weeks, stay fresh-looking for months. New flower spikes can bloom from nodes on the old stems. Species, hybrids and countless named cultivars offer infinite variety. The regal "moth" blossoms with wide-spread wings come in pure white and shades from pale blush to rich purple, many with contrasting weblike veins. Other types have narrow, spidery petals, often in soft earth tones of russet and green. A few species, such as Phalaenopsis stuartiana, have handsomely variegated leaves. Grow outdoors only in warm, humid zones. Need bright indirect light of a shaded porch, or south-facing window with a gauzy white curtain. Pot in medium to coarse Orchid bark. Water and mist in the morning, so leaves dry by nightfall. Soak thoroughly, then let the soil nearly dry. Let some roots dangle outside the container for air exposure. Do not mist when temperatures drop below 65º F, soggy plants may rot. Prefer day temperatures of 70º to 80º F, nights of 60º to 65º F. Night dips to 55º F encourage flowering. Some newer hybrids handle lower night temperatures. |
One of a few variegated strains, it has silver-gray mottling on leaves up to 18 inches long and 4 inches wide. White to rose-purple flowers tremble on an arched, branching stem.
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Attributes - Phalaenopsis schilleriana
Plant Type: Perennial
Bloom Season: Mid Spring through Early Summer
Flower Color: Pink, White
Foliage: Evergreen
Height: 1 ft. to 1 ft. 6 in.
Width: 1 ft. 6 in.
Sunlight: Partial Sun, Shade
Climate: Zones 10, 11
Notes: Container Plants, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Long Blooming, Showy Flowers.
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