Phalaenopsis: From Soup to Nuts
American Orchid Society Webinar by David Edgley – recorded February 7, 2024
We will join Accredited Judge and Chair of the AOS Judging Committee, David Edgley, for a wonderful panorama of Phalaenopsis breeding and the culture needed to grow these delightful orchids.
Phalaenopsis hybrids, also known as moth orchids, are the most popular orchids available commercially today. In nature the species range from Sri Lanka and southern India to New Guinea and northeast Australia, extending as far north as southern China, and are especially rich in the Philippines and Borneo. Most are found in hot, steamy lowlands and a few have adapted to higher altitudes with cooler climates. Habitats are usually moist and humid year-round under dense- to partial-shade near streams in rain forests. Lacking storage organs, most do not survive in seasonal climates. They grow as epiphytes or occasionally lithophytes. Their large and colorful flowers have been extensively bred to produce the hybrids we see today. Breeders select for superior size, color, form and lasting qualities. The best performers are mass-produced via tissue culture in areas with optimal labor costs and growing facilities, then shipped around the world. In cultivation, Phalaenopsis require warm conditions year-round and slightly higher light levels than species in nature to produce better flowering. Potting medium should retain some moisture between waterings without becoming soggy.