PHALAENOPSIS - THE MOTH ORCHID 
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Phalaenopsis are one of the showlest and most satisfactory of the spray 
types = splendid for exhibition purposes and growing daily in popularity 
as a corsage item, especially for bridal work. 
The species originate in the hot sections of the East, from New Guinea to 
Burma and are found in abundance in the Philippinese They are epiphytes, 
monopodial in growth, with a short, heavy stem four to ten inches high. 
The large, broad, leathery leaves alternate along the stem and form a most 
attractive plante 
The varieties which we list are all hybrids with larger, better formed 
flowers of heavier substance than in the speciese The flowers are arranged 
along arching spikes, usually in two rows side by side, closely set and in 
some cases slightly overlap one anothere A flower spike will bear from 
four to thirty blossoms and many of the new hybrids have a tendency to 
flower more than once in a seasone Flowers vary in size from three inches 
to as much as five inches acrosse 
CULTURE: Phalaenopsis will do best at a minimim night winter temperature of 
650 to 70°, although many growers report successful lower night temperatures. 
All ot our new hybrids are in continuous growth so checking or resting 
SHOULD NOT be practiced. They like a humidity of around 60% to 70% and re- 
quire a slightly heavier shade than cattleyas through the hot, bright summer 
season. During the winter months we grow them under a 25% shade (Lumite 
Horticultural Shade Cloth of a green or grey 18 x 1) mesh). As the season 
progresses, we increase the shade in our section about the first of June by 
adding another covering of Lumite Orchid Cloth and this will stay on until 
Falle ‘his same shading procedure can be followed by using paint shading 
material, etc. When watering, remember Phalaenopsis resent drying out if 
potted in Osmunda and we try to maintain an even, light moisture content 
similar to Cypripedium conditionse Overhead syringing is beneficial through 
Spring, Summer and Fail. Pot only in the best grade of Usmunda. We find 
azalea pots excellent for this purposee From the community pot on we seldom 
remove any Osminda in shitting to larger sizes and pot for a two year period. 
As in other orchids they like ventillation and resent a close, stuffy atmospheres 
PROPAGATION: Phalaenopsis are raised from seed and will flower within a maximm 
time of 36 months. It is also possible to propagate additional stock fron 
flower stem cuttings placed on agar, using a technique similar to seed culture. 
However, this is impractical unless one wishes to increase the stock of an ex= 
ceptionally fine variety. Occassionally they will also start little plantlets 
at the flower stem nodese When an injury occurs to the crown of the plant, 
new plant growths will often start from the remainder of the steme 
FLOWER CUTTING: As previously stated, our new hybrids have continuous flowering 
tendencies. When cutting flower spikes, always leave two or three stem nodes 
if the plant is in a good, healthy condition. These stem nodes will break 
into lateral or side flower stems and with a few plants it is possible to have 
some Phalaenopsis flowers all through the year. When new flower spikes appear 
at the base of the plant and are well in progress, cut off the old flowering 
stem close to the base of the plant; this will allow all of the strength to go 
into the development of the new flower spike. 
GRAVEL CULTURE: All of the Phalaenopsis do very well potted in gravel and we 
recommend Wilson's Orchid Fertilizer developed by Dre O. We Davidson of Rutgers 
University, which should be used as directed for either Osmunda or gravel culture. 
A mumber of growers report their plants doing well in a }" or $" granite gravel. 
This listing cancels all previous Phalaenopsis offerings. 
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