Phalaenopsis 'White Apple'

RHS Plant Profile

moth orchid 'White Apple'

Small sized, evergreen, upright growing epiphytic orchid. Broadly oval, green or dark green leaves up to 15cm long emerge from the centre of the plant and are main storage of water and nutrients. New flowering stems appear from the base of older leaves. Numerous long lasting flowers are carried on semi-pendulous branched racemes, up to 30cm tall. Each flowering stem carries up to 15 flowers, opening in succession. Flowers are bilaterally symmetrical, white with blush of pink and mauve on the reverse. Lip is yellow and spotted in the centre. Compact and floriferous.

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Botanical Details

Family: Orchidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Genus: Phalaenopsis are a large genus of species and hybrid mainly epiphytic orchids. Short, upward growing, stem-like rhizomes with no pseudobulbs produce oval, fleshy mid to dark green leaves and flowers in branched racemes from the base of the leaves
Name Status: Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in an open bark-based orchid compost. Provide enough bright filtered light, but keep away from direct mid-day sunlight or heating source. Ideal temperatures are around 17°C at night and 20 - 25 °C during day. Mist aerial roots regularly and water the plant when almost dry - pale, silvery roots are a good indication when to water. Orchid fertiliser can be applied regularly throughout the season. See Phalaenopsis cultivation.

Propagation

Propagation by seed is only possible in controlled laboratory environment. Mature plants may produce sideshoots (keiki) which may be removed and potted separately into sphagnum moss when the new roots are at least 2cm long.

Pruning

No pruning required. Cut back flowered stem to lower node to encourage further flowering.

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, aphids and scale insects.

Diseases

Generally disease-free