Varieties of phalaenopsis: names, description, peculiarities of growing at home

The stunningly beautiful phalaenopsis (from the Latin Phalaenopsis) belongs to the genus of herbaceous epiphytic plants that are part of the family of orchids. In nature, it is found in mountain forests and wet plains. Many representatives of this genus and their hybrids are now incredibly popular with florists who equally successfully plant them both at home and in greenhouses. The first flower (phalaenopsis) was discovered by a German naturalist and traveler Rumph on the Moluccas. After a while another representative of the genus of grassy epiphytes in 1752 was discovered by Swedish pastor Osbek on a small island near Ternate. He sent him to the herbarium of Karl Linnaeus, who described the find in his famous work describing many species of plants, calling it an epidendrum charming. Epidendrum from Ancient Greek is translated as "living on trees". After almost seven decades, the director of the botanical garden of the city of Leiden Karl Blume in the Malay Archipelago discovered another beautiful flower. Phalaenopsis he was called, of course, not just. Studying in the twilight of the jungle, Blume spotted a bright spot in the field binoculars, which he initially took as a night butterfly. That's the way the Greek Phalania ("butterfly") and Opsis ("similarity") and there was a name under which we now know this flower. The phalenopsis species and varieties are numerous, and we will introduce you to some of them today.

Description

Of all the existing orchids, the most popular today is Phalaenopsis. Not all beginning flower growers know that this species, in its turn, is divided into several varieties, differing from each other. The most popular and common are: red phalaenopsis (Amolar variety) and pink. Equally, Konsky, Luddemanna, Pleasant and Hybrid varieties enjoy the love of the florists. Despite the external differences of flowers, the rules for growing them are basically the same. Phalaenopsis is easily recognized by the thick air rhizomes, which are covered with a waxy layer. They provide this family of orchids with moisture and necessary nutrients for normal growth. Dense and leathery leaves of oblong-oval shape are situated in rosettes opposite.

Pink

Phalaenopsis, whose varieties mainly depend on the color of the corolla, can give from fifteen or more flowers. It is not an exception and Pink, considered one of the most miniature. His flowers have a diameter of up to three centimeters. And the flower itself is small: usually it stretches to thirty centimeters. As a rule, the Pink variety gives up to fifteen flowers, not more. The leaves below have a reddish hue, and on top they are dark green. Usually their length does not exceed fifteen centimeters.

Amabilis

It is this phalaenopsis that is considered the most suitable for the production of hybrids. His name is Pleasant, or Amabilis. He is considered the progenitor of many phalaenopsis. This plant gives white large flowers, reaching in diameter of ten centimeters. Their aroma is pleasant, not very pronounced. Apparently, therefore, the plant is called that way. This sort is good for indoor breeding in that it is the most unpretentious and well-behaved in a normal apartment.

Golden Harthorn

The flower spike of this variety can be of a very different length: from ten to forty centimeters. Phalaenopsis Olenyegy got its name for an amazing appearance. The end of its peduncle is slightly flattened, and on the spot where the flower buds are formed, comb-like outgrowths are visible. The plant gives up to fifteen flowers at once. Their diameter is five centimeters. The phalaenopsis reindeer blooms in any season of the year. Color petals - golden yellow, which has a lot of brown spots.

Motley Schiller

It is most often found in stores. This sort of phalaenopsis differs from the rest by the color of its leaves. They are motley. The hem of the leaves is painted in a reddish hue, the top combines dark green and silvery-gray spots. Schiller's flowers are slightly smaller than, say, Amabilis. They reach seven centimeters. In the native land of this plant - the Philippines - it is called "tiger". Apparently, we mean the original color of the leaves. Numerous greenish-silvery roots of the Shiller variety are flat, not roundish, as in other phalaenopsis. Floronus red-brown. In section it is round, growing from the stem and reaching one meter in length. Depending on the age of the plant on the peduncle can be as much as two hundred and fifty flowers.

White Phalaenopsis of the Luddemann variety

These small monopoidal epiphytic plants came from the Philippines. In their homeland, they grow in tropical moist forests. The stem of these phalaenopsis is short, it completely hides the foliage. The root system is well developed. Tsvetonos has a length of up to thirty-five centimeters. It appears at the base of the stem, has a drooping type and carries simultaneously from five to seven small flowers. Corollas are fragrant, with a dense texture. They are painted in a waxy white color m with transverse purple-violet specks and brown tips.

Phalaenopsys Stewart

This very common variety is named after its breeder. The plant is characterized by its long, reaching up to eighty centimeters of peduncle. It can open up to sixty "butterflies" at the same time. This sort of phalaenopsis is yellow. Flowers have a diameter of up to six centimeters. They are covered with dark red spots that stand out against the yellow background of the petals.

Rare Phalaenopsis

Among the huge variety of orchids of this species, sometimes there are amazing specimens. For example, the phalaenopsis variety with impressive dimensions is called Giant. It is in great demand among flower growers. The fact is that the length of his sheet is sometimes capable of reaching one meter. In addition, this orchid is a good material for biologists, as it is very malleable when crossing and may well become a base for the emergence of new varieties. The length of the peduncle reaches forty centimeters. The plant is able to give about thirty flowers, which exude a citrus sweetish flavor.

The most rare and at the same time expensive is Sander's orchid. She is incredibly beautiful, so of all kinds of phalaenopsis is valued above all. The plant is named so in honor of a sufficient known researcher and a big admirer of epiphytic - Sander. The leaves of phalaenopsis are green and variegated. The flower-bud is long, on it opposite rows there are about fifty small flowers, the color of which is varied.

Amboen Phalaenopsis

The plant is capable of simultaneously producing several stems at the same time. He loves the shadow or penumbra. He has no period of rest, so Amboensky phalaenopsis blossoms constantly. The largest number of corollas is produced in the summer months. Color of flowers is mottled: on a white-and-dairy background of a brick-colored strip.

Phalaenopsis Parishii

Another, equally charming milky-white phalaenopsis called Parisha refers to miniature. Its flower-bud usually reaches fourteen centimeters, and the dark-green leaves are somewhat longer - up to eighteen centimeters. Simultaneously, the plant gives up to ten milky-white flowers. Their structure is characterized by the fact that it consists of a very wide lip, the average part of which is colored in a purple or purple-lilac tone. This plant is miniature. His homeland is the Eastern Himalayas. It grows in lowland plains on moss pillows and in the shade of trees. Has a well developed root system. The stem of Pharenopsis Parish is short and always completely covered with leaves. With proper care this variety can bloom simultaneously with several peduncles. It produces a fruity and candy flavor. His flowers are long-lived.

Horse

As well as the previous one, this variety represents miniature phalaenopsis species. Its value is that it can bloom almost all year round. The peak usually falls on the spring and autumn seasons. The flower spike of this phalaenopsis variety is purple, it reaches a length of thirty centimeters. As you grow at the end, all new buds appear alternately. They are pale pink or lilac and have a diameter of two to three centimeters.

Orchid Jordan Amsterdam

Another rare phalaenopsis is bright pink in specks, Jordan. It is a hybrid, derived in the last century. This variety gives incredibly beautiful pink flowers with petals in a dark speck. The lip is also painted in cherry color. Its basal rosette is formed by two-rowed fleshy leaves.

Novelty Phalaenopsis

Among the Taiwanese hybrids, they stand out because they are selected on the basis of clones of various breeding lines. These phalaenopsis is distinguished by the excessive compactness of the rosette. Their growing number of peduncles are raised above the leaves. Flowers have a regular star shape with a complex color and a special texture of the petals. Among them there are many such that are striking in the form of a ripple-like pattern or dashes blending with blots, leopard or tiger color. Vivid representatives of the novel phalenopsis - Prefection In Chen, Nobby's Pacific Sunset Red Pearl, Misty Pride CR.

Peloriki

Among the phalaenopsis there are such varieties that differ in the shape of the flower. In such plants the zygomorphic (irregular) structure of the corolla, as a result of which anomalous, almost actinomorphic "butterflies" are formed. They are called "pelorics". These phalaenopsis have flowers, in which the sepals or leaves have the shape or color of the lips. They look very unusual.

In nature, peloric flowers are the result of certain environmental factors. A similar phenomenon is characteristic of such varieties as Phalaenopsis Stuartiana or Phalaenopsis Schillehana.

Peculiarities of growing

When taking care of these incredibly beautiful exotic plants, a number of simple rules should be observed. Phalaenopsis can be placed on eastern or western windows, in loggias or winter gardens. In summer, the optimum temperature for them is the range of +25 ... + 30 ^о С, in winter - above +5 ^о С. By lowering the night temperatures the breeders stimulate the formation of flower buds. During the period of growth, especially in the summer months, phalaenopsis is recommended to be sprayed daily. This plant blooms only at relative humidity from fifty to eighty percent. Therefore, it is recommended to increase this indicator of the environment both with the help of a moisturizer, and putting the plant in a pallet with wet gravel.

Care for phalaenopsis orchids at home during flowering involves feeding, which should be served two or three times a month. The plant needs fertilizer all year round, including in autumn and winter. However, unlike summer top dressing, in the cold season, the concentration of nutrients should be reduced.

When the container in which this flower grows, becomes small, the growth of the orchid slows down. This means that the plant must be transplanted. As a rule, phalenopsis transshipment is performed no more often than once in two years. Transplant this representative of orchids very carefully, acting carefully, so as not to damage the air roots. For the cultivation of phalaenopsis, experts recommend using transparent pots, for example, from plastic, in which you need to make a drainage hole. To remove salts, it is necessary to wash the ground once a month, in which the culture grows, under a warm stream of water for 15-20 minutes.

Today in some shops you can find blue phalaenopsis. He looks very original. However, when choosing monopoidal varieties, one must be very careful. The fact is that in nature blue phalaenopsis does not occur. Most often such miracle flowers are a short-lived result, which is achieved by pricking the paint into both the flower stem and the growth point.