A beautiful Orchid-wanna-be, Thunderbolt Fairy Wings
- Phalaenopsis is an epiphyte (meaning that it grows attached to the branches of trees) native to Asia. In cultivation it is grown indoors, in diffuse light (bathrooms with good air circulation are ideal) and soil that is allowed to dry out a bit between waterings.
- Our plants, the Wayside Kisses, are interspecific crosses, each between 2 and 3 years of age and each unique. That is, they are distinctive enough in color to warrant the 4 separate varieties we have developed, but within each variety not every plant will be identical. This is one of the great merits of the Kisses; each plant is truly unique.
- When talking about these Orchids, their common name is Moth Orchid (because of their shape), and the central swag of color is called the “lip.”
- They bloom along very long (2 foot or so) stems that arise straight from the top of the plant and may be supported or allowed to loll over the sides of baskets, tall flowerpots, and so on. The plant itself is less than a foot high, but the spikes add another 2 feet or so.
- They have broad, flat leaves near the base of the plant.
- Discourage the myth that Orchids should be misted. They do appreciate a humid environment such as the loo, but they need some drying out, and they absolutely cannot survive with wet crowns. If the home is very dry, they can be grown above a dish filled with water and pebbles, but do not encourage customers to mist or otherwise moisturize the plant directly.
- For the same reason that they cannot take wet aboveground growth, they also need very well-drained soil. Avoid potting soils with peat. Special Orchid mixtures are available, but not required.
- Over time they will actually grow a second plant near the first. This is called a keiki and is the beginning of a colony for the lucky gardener!