Underground Journal

Phalaenopsis Orchids Unique Growth

Phalaenopsis orchids, or more commonly known as “moth” orchids, are the most common and easily recognizable orchids. The standard versions of these are larger pink or white orchids, but there are many different hybrids that come in a variety of colors, patterns on the petals, and even miniatures. For instance, you can find a peach colored phalaenopsis orchid that has dark orange speckles through the petals and the flowers could be much smaller and greater in number than a standard white phalaenopsis.

Phalaenopsis orchids are unique in that they do not have a rhizome or pseudobulbs that allow for the plant to sprout more stems. The rhizome is a modified part of the plant that grows horizontally and often under the soil at the base of the stem of a plant to store energy. This is because a phalaenopsis orchid is a “monopodial” type of plant. This means that it has one stem growing upright and does not allow for rhizomes to hold in the energy of the plant to produce new stems. A pseudobulb is very similar to the rhizome because it is also a part of a plant that is used to grow a new plant from the original plant.

Because the phalaenopsis orchid does not have a rhizome or pseudobulb to retain moisture and nourish the plant, these plants appreciate to be watered often, or at least kept in a humid environment that will constantly supply water for energy to the growing flowers and stem. Other orchids, such as the cymbidium orchid, have rhizomes or pseudobulbs that store their moisture and allow fleshy leaves to grow that also hold in moisture for the growing plant.

Caring for phaleneopsis orchids is relatively easy but they can be very touchy at the same time, so do not be disheartened if you have difficulties taking care of yours. They need moisture because of their lack in rhizome, but they do not like to be over watered, so hydrate your moth orchid about once a week and keep it out of direct sunlight so it does not dry up so easily.

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