Phalaenopsis 'Sunshine'

RHS Plant Profile
moth orchid 'Sunshine'

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Houseplants

A compact and upright orchid, growing to 30cm tall with numerous, long-lasting yellow flowers, an orange coloured lip and speckled with maroon freckles

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1A

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Orchidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
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 compost and position with good indirect light and warm even temperatures. Water thoroughly when compost has almost dried out and feed regularly. Do not leave standing in water. See Phalaenopsis cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by cuttings or offshoots (keikis) may root successfully when roots are 2cm long

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Cut back stems to a lower node to encourage the production of further flowers

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free