Michael Charters, www.calflora.net
Family
Orchidaceae
Botanical Name
Phalaenopsis sanderiana
Plant Common Name
Sander's Moth Orchid, Sander's Phalaenopsis
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
The summer-blooming Sander's moth orchid bears a grand arching stem laden with white flowers with hints of rose or lavender. The blooms compliment the satiny purple-green leaves of this tropical epiphyte. Wild populations are native to the humid forests of the Philippines where they grow high in the tree branches.
The green leaves of this moth orchid are broad, tongue-shaped and shiny with hints of red-purple and silver. Each leathery leaf rises from nodes along a very short stem. Foliage is added one leaf at a time during the warm rainy season from spring to fall. Flowers bloom for several weeks to several months from late spring to summer. Each branched stem can carry as many as 15 to 20 flowers on each branch! The pink blushed white blooms open in succession from the bottom of the stalk to top. The lateral petals are large and spade-shaped, while the curled lip has three lobes with flecks of yellow and many tiny orange specks. As wind catches the flowers, the entire flower stalk bobs, making the blossoms resemble fluttering moths. After the last blossom fades, the spent stalk will remain and often send up a new flower stalk from the lower node for a second flowering. A period of dormancy occurs in the winter months.
Sander's moth orchid thrives in hot tropical climates and requires bright filtered light for good growth and flowering. It is a true epiphyte that grows best mounted on a tree trunk, cork slab or nestled in a slatted basket or pot. Containers should be filled with bark mix. From spring to fall water frequently but only when the plant and bark are dry to the touch. Provide high humidity and ample air circulation to prevent rot. Light applications of liquid fertilizer should be applied in fall and winter. Protect from frost.
Allow the moth orchid to become rootbound before disturbing it. Do not repot it while it is in bloom but wait until spring when new root growth has just started. To encourage reblooming, cut spent flower stalks back so that three stalk nodes remain. Failure for moth orchids to prosper in an indoor environment is most likely due to overwatering and insufficient light. This orchid needs very bright indirect light; dark green leaves usually mean light levels are too low. The stems make nice cutflowers for bouquets.
Growing Conditions
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Growth Rate
Slow
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Light Yellow, Pink, Light Pink, Rose
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Flower Color Modifier
Multi-Color
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Fruit Color
Green, Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Coarse
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container, Cutflower, Hanging Basket, Houseplant, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
