Phalaenopsis bellina

Also known as: The Beautiful Phalaenopsis or Phalaenopsis bellina f. chloracea Phalaenopsis bellina h.v. blue Phalaenopsis bellina h.f. coerulea Phalaenopsis bellina h.f. lutea Phalaenopsis bellina h.f. aquinii Phalaenopsis bellina h.f. semialba Phalaenopsis bellina f. murtoniana Phalaenopsis bellina f. alba Phalaenopsis bellina f. bowringiana Phalaenopsis violacea var. bowringiana Phalaenopsis violacea var. bellina Phalaenopsis violacea var. chloracea Phalaenopsis violacea var. punctata Phalaenopsis bellina f. punctata Phalaenopsis violacea var. murtoniana in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

General Information

The Beautiful Phalaenopsis is a monopodial warm to hot growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae.

Plant Description

Monopodial. Grows to 40-50cm. Each new growth has numerous elliptic oblong shaped leaves that grow to 7-25cm long

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Perlite

Care Notes

These orchids like to be watered regulary, especially during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered daily or even many times a day.

These are quite a forgiving orchid, there are no special requirements to get this orchid to flower, just good care and consistent conditions. Larger plants may be more fussy and can react poorly to change; a poorly timed repotting, a pest infection or an unusually hot day can set them back for a couple of years. However, even plants that have been treated poorly can thrive, and if they are set back they often recover much stronger then they would otherwise be.

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low elevations. Rainfall ranges from 76mm to 212mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in June. Temperature ranges from 22C to 32C, highest in April (24C to 32C) and lowest in January (22C to 31C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a wet-dry cycle between waterings, they should be watered frequently but only when the moisture is approaching dryness, where the pot feels light and/or the media looks dry. Keep an eye on mounted orchids in warm weather as they may dehydrate quickly.

Fertiliser

Apply liquid based fertiliser per recommended directions. They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, followed by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears, and a balanced fertiliser in other times. These orchids can also tolerate slow release fertiliser applied 1-2 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

Use balanced fertiliser year round. Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer. Reduce fertiliser when plant is dormant.

Potting

These plants are quite forgiving and will do well repotted ever 2-3 years. The mix should be coarse, well draining, and allow space for air to move and for roots to grow. 

Alternatively, these plants will also do well mounted to tree fern or cork slabs, or mounted to trees.

Best time for repotting or mounting the orchids is the end of winter when new growths start to appear. Avoid repotting during hot weather,

Use water retentive media such as moss to prevent roots from drying out quickly This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted. Repotting is best done annually.