Phalaenopsis hybrid

Comments:

A 16x20 print of this orchid is available in the Orchid Conservatory Gift Shop

Identified by Buzz Burgess - Overland Park, KS USA

Notes

Comments:

Phalaenopsis equestris (syn. rosea) is a Philippine species with one-inch blooms. It has white sepals and petals with rose shading at the center of the flower and on the column, and dots on the lateral sepals. The lip is rose, rose-purple or violet.

It is important in its contribution to white flowers with colored lips, and for producing pink stripes. It also is floriferous with dozens of flowers on branched spikes. Individual flowers are only one inch wide, but there is much variation. There is a form with pink flowers, an alba with white flowers with yellow on the lips, and a peloric form, where the other two petals resemble the lip in shape and color.

Selective breeding over many generations has improved both color and form of the species. Phal. rosea is a synonym. This species, under both names, has been used in hybridizing for more than 140 years. Each book of Sander's Hybrids lists dozens of new crosses. The plants may produce keikis from old flower spikes or roots. Old flower spikes should be left alone as they may branch and bloom again in future years.