A moth which can also be enjoyed during the day!

Phalaenopsis is Greek for ‘moth’. It is one of the many genuses which make up the orchid family (Orchidaceae). The Phalaenopsis was originally a rare plant. In around 1700 explorers brought the plant back to Europe. However, it wasn’t until the twentieth century that Phalaenopsis was cultivated intensively. You probably know what happened next. Nowadays Phalaenopsis is one of the most popular indoor orchids, which can be bought everywhere at an attractive price. It is also an easy plant to care for in the home. There are more than fifty species in total, with over one hundred thousand cultivars between them. At Ammerlaan Orchideeën we cultivate more than one hundred.

Living with a little help from the trees

Phalaenopsis are natural ‘biotopes’ and originate in the tropical rainforests of Asia, New Guinea and Australia, where the plant grows in the trees as an epiphyte. The plant is not a parasite: it uses the branches more as a support and to tie itself on with its fleshy roots. The butterfly-like shape of the flowers is intended to attract butterflies and allow pollination. Long curving flower stems emerge from the broad, leathery green leaves. These stems can bear up to twenty magnificent flowers in many colours. You can spend a long time enjoying them: under ideal conditions the Phalaenopsis can bloom continuously for three months!