2008 01 18 - Botany - Phalaenopsis ( Moth Orchids )

Phalaenopsis ( Moth Orchid )

It was delightful to see the orchid flowering once again after it had stopped blooming after 2006 Chinese New Year. Chucked at one corner of the balcony, it was exposed to scorching sun and the leaves had scorched marks. The first bloom greeted us on 18 Jan and looking forward to seeing all the remaining 7 buds blooming.


More info about Phalenopsis...

A genus of orchid containing about 60 species.

Plalaenopsis comes from Greek word, "phalaina" [moth] & "opsis" [like]... as it resembles a moth in flight ...

It is a native of Asia and Austrailia ... These are monopodial which means that the leaf growth comes from a central point ... As new leaves grow from the top, the leaves closest to the bottom die-off. Flower buds grow from spikes that sprout from axils of the leaves ... They have no pseudobulbs. The raceme appears from the stem between the leaves. They bloom in their full glory for several weeks. If kept in the home, they usually last two to three months, which is considered quite a long time.