Popular Varieties And Types Of Phalaenopsis Orchids

Phalaenopsis or butterfly-like orchids are native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia; in natural conditions, the plant can grow on trees, stumps, and even stones.

The roots serve as a support, with their help the plant is attached and held throughout its life. At the same time, the orchid is not a parasite, it receives everything it needs through the root system from the air and with watering.

It is interesting! Now in the world, there are more than 70 species of this plant, but hybrid varieties cannot be counted. Every year, with the help of crossing, more and more bright and unusual phalaenopsis orchids are brought out, which differ not only in the color of the flowers but also in other characteristics.

All phalaenopsis are united by:

Monopodiality the presence of only one growth point without lateral processes;
Leathery leaves are green in color, which persists all year round;
The size of the sheet plates can be from 5 to 50 cm in length, the width also varies;
The stem is short, leaves are alternately located on both sides of it;
The root system has a large number of aerial roots;
The peduncles of the stem are usually located between the leaves, their length can reach a meter;
Depending on the species, there can be from 3 to 20 flowers on the peduncle. On one peduncle, all flowers are the same size;
All plants are referred to as epiphytes;
The best substrate will be tree bark and sphagnum.

All phalaenopsis varieties have a similar structure.

A distinctive feature will also be a pleasant aroma emanating from flowers of various colors.

Phalaenopsis orchid is conventionally divided according to the size of the stem and flowers, they are distinguished:

Medium varieties;
Mini varieties;
Giant varieties.

Caring for them will not be very different, they all love sufficient watering, spraying, and regular feeding. Next, we will consider in detail what are the most popular types and varieties of phalaenopsis found in our apartments.

types of phalaenopsis orchids

Many novice florists often have questions about certain features of flowers. We will give qualified answers that you can trust and verify in practice their veracity.

Most common types of phalaenopsis orchids

Varieties that bloom for a long time and do not take up much space are very popular among beginners and more experienced florists. Among them:

Mini phalaenopsis;
Schiller;
Stewart;
Multiflora.

rarest of phalaenopsis orchids

Some orchid varieties are not very common among flower lovers, the reason for this is the pickiness of the stem in care. But all the efforts made are worth it to see how it blooms:

Epidendrum;
Ludisia ;
Masdevallia ;
Erythraeum;
Spatoglotis.

A lesser-known variety is the Cypripedium garden bole; it is very difficult to find it in a flower shop.

Advice! When buying a Cypripedium, be guided by the season, a real orchid is sold only in spring and autumn during the hibernation period.

Miniature or mini phalaenopsis orchids

There are many varieties of mini phalaenopsis orchids, the distinguishing feature is that they do not have a dormant period. Their sizes are very small, the entire stem, together with the peduncle, does not grow more than 25-30 cm. The most beloved are:

Mini Mark ;
Pink;
Phalaenopsis Ludeman.

Varietal orchid

This category includes all hybrids bred and bred by specialists. It is impossible to list everything, there are a lot of them.

Varietal orchids are obtained by crossing two or more plant varieties in the laboratory.

They can only be propagated by separating the baby, the seed method will not preserve all the inherent characteristics.

What color should my orchid stem be?

The leaves of a healthy stem are green, glossy, elastic. On the peduncle there should be as few blossoming flowers as possible; it is better to take a plant with large, swollen buds.

The roots should be green or bluish-green in color, brown and black blotches are unacceptable, they indicate putrefactive processes.

Advice! It is worth remembering that each variety will require care, timely watering, and spraying. In order for the flower to grow normally, develop and delight the eye with flowering, do not forget about fertilizers: both root and foliar.

Popular varieties of phalaenopsis orchids

In order not to be mistaken when choosing a suitable stem, let’s take a closer look at the most popular varieties. There are many of them, but we will focus on the most popular and beautiful ones.

Liodoro phalaenopsis

The liodoro orchid variety was bred in the early 80s of the last century. Already ten years later, it received widespread distribution and several awards at exhibitions. Its author is the American Rex Smith, it was he who came up with the idea to cross the Malaysian natural species with the Deventeriana phalaenopsis.

Liodoro is very popular with Europeans, many want to have such a bole on their window. Distinctive features of the plant are slightly wavy leaves of a bright light green color, star-like flowers. The peduncle usually has a length of up to 50 cm, medium-sized flowers with slightly pointed petals bloom alternately on its branches.

The color is quite unusual, the edge of the petal has a yellowish-cream color, until the middle it gradually changes to pink, and the core is lilac. Red dots of different diameters are characteristic of the Liodoro variety over the entire surface of the petal. The flower has a pleasant smell, a mixture of lily of the valley and lime.

Readout What is Miltoniopsis Orchids?

Royal

Royal phalaenopsis is distinguished by the large size of not only flowers but also leaves. It can reach a height with a peduncle of more than a meter.

Usually, it drives out one, less often two peduncles, on which 5-8 buds are formed. When blooming, each of the buds can reach 14-16 cm in diameter.

They grow them in an ordinary substrate, they are picky about leaving, they love water and light.

Schiller phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis Schiller is characterized by large, up to 7 cm in diameter, flowers, which are pink and purple. I would especially like to note the leaves, they have a dark green variegated color. The lower part of the leaf plate has a reddish tint; dark green and silvery-gray spots are possible along the entire plane.

Each stem can have up to 200 flowers, which fade gradually. In their place, keiki are easily formed, which are used for plant propagation, but if they are not cut off, you can get a stem in several tiers.

Stewart

Stuart’s variety is distinguished by long peduncles, they can reach a length of up to 80 cm. On multiple branches, flowers of medium size are located, which are white in color with bright yellow and red dots.

Recommended for you Types of yellow orchids.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is the common “descendant” of Stuart and Schiller’s phalaenopsis. It is distinguished by marble leaves of a silvery-green color. Pink-purple flowers are located on the peduncle.

Mini phalaenopsis

Mini varieties are distinguished by the small size of the entire stem, the peduncles are low, they have small flowers, but their color can be varied.

Mix phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis mix is the trade name for hybrid phalaenopsis, which means that the batch will contain plants of different colors. Such hybrids are well adapted to indoor cultivation and generally require less attention than varietal varieties.

Usually, it is these hybrids that are recommended for growing to beginners.

Dendrobium

Dendrobium stands out among its relatives with almost constant flowering. The color range of the trunk is very wide, the flowers are painted with bright colors: from white to purple.

Golden phalaenopsis

The Golden variety has large flowers of white or yellow color, the middle of the flower will stand out in orange or red.

A distinctive feature is that the variety grows well both in partial shade and in light. But he does not need high humidity, 50% is enough.

Multiflora

Multiflora is classified as a medium-sized phalaenopsis, a distinctive feature is the growth of peduncles directly from the ground. The leaves are bright green. Peduncles are branched, there can be up to three of them per year.

Wild cat

The Wild Cat variety will not leave anyone indifferent, it is distinguished by a very specific color of the petals. Large spots of red and purple color completely cover the entire flower. The color is variegated, immediately striking

Wild cat.

Peloric

Pelorics or all phalaenopsis, bred by mutation of boles. The characteristic features are non-standard forms of flowers and leaves for this plant. The color of the petals will also be unusual, so they look more exotic and unusual.

Hybrids

All phalaenopsis stems that are artificially bred in laboratory conditions are called hybrids. This group includes most of the overseas beauties that grow in our homes.

Important! Natural species will not be able to endure even a flight from their native places, and those that make it there will not be able to survive in our conditions. They need a specific microclimate and special conditions, without which they die.

Check out a guide on When What And How To Fertilize Indoor Orchid?

Conclusion

Nowadays, there are many varieties of orchids and phalaenopsis in particular. It is simply unrealistic to list them all and even more so to describe them. The most popular and picky hybrids grow on our windowsills, delight with their flowering and juicy greenery.