Greg Allikas
Family
Orchidaceae
Botanical Name
Phalaenopsis schilleriana
Plant Common Name
Moth Orchid, Schiller's Pink Moth Orchid
General Description
Beauty and easy culture make Schiller's pink moth orchid one of the most popular Phalaenopsis for home gardeners. This native of the Philippines bears a flurry of many pink flowers on large, branched stems which rise from a modest clump of green, tongue-shaped leaves with silvery mottled banding. Wild specimens are true tropical epiphytes that make home in the branches of extremely tall trees where high humidity abounds.
This species lacks pseudobulbs. Instead its large, ornate leaves rise from very short stems lined with fleshy roots that cling to bark. As the roots spread and take hold, new leaves are added. Arching stems dotted with as many as 40 to 150 light pink flowers appear from late winter to late spring. The blooms cascade down in a flutter and emit a delicate fragrance that permeates the air. The large, pink, lateral petals are spade-shaped and surround a curled the lip with flecks of yellow and tiny orange specks. As wind catches the flowers, the flower stalk bobs making the blossoms resemble fluttering moths.
Grow Schiller's pink moth orchid in bright shade mounted to a tree trunk, branch, slab of cork, or nestled in a slatted wooden basket filled with fast-draining bark mix. Hot, humid, tropical growing conditions are required for best growth and flowering. From spring to fall water frequently, but allow the bark to become dry to the touch between watering. It is also good to occasionally water with dilute fertilizer during this time. Good air circulation will help prevent root or crown rot. From fall and winter reduce watering and stop fertilizing plants. Plants are frost tender but require a cool temperature regime in late fall helps coax midwinter flower production.
Allow moth orchid to become rootbound in its pot before repotting it. Do not repot it while in bloom but wait until early fall or late winter. The spent flower stalk can also be trimmed back once flowering ceases. This may encourage reblooming. Overwatering and insufficient light are the two cultural conditions most responsible for poor performance. If leaves are very dark green with dull silver banding this usually means light levels are too low. The stems make nice cutflowers for bouquets, and the individual flowers can be used as corsages or in floral leis.
Characteristics
-
AHS Heat Zone
12 - 5
-
Plant Type
Epiphyte
-
Sun Exposure
Partial Shade, Full Shade
-
Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring, Late Winter
-
Native To
Southeastern Asia
Ornamental Features
-
Flower Interest
Showy
-
Flower Color
Pink, Light Pink
-
Fruit Color
Green, Brown
-
Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Silver, Gray
-
Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier
Variegated, Striped/Striated
-
Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Silver, Gray
-
Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier
Variegated, Striped/Striated
-
Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Silver, Gray
-
Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Variegated, Striped/Striated
-
Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Silver, Gray
-
Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier
Variegated, Striped/Striated
-
Fragrant Flowers
Yes
-
Fragrant Fruit
No
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
-
Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Repeat Bloomer
Yes
-
Showy Fruit
No
-
Edible Fruit
No
-
Showy Foliage
No
-
Foliage Texture
Medium
-
Evergreen
Yes
-
Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
-
Usage
Container, Cutflower, Feature Plant, Hanging Basket, Houseplant, Tropical
-
Sharp or Has Thorns
No
-
Invasive
No
-
Self-Sowing
No
