A botanical species of the genus Phalaenopsis, it was discovered by Reverend C.S. Parish during his travels in Myanmar, specifically in the area of the city of Moulmein. Later, it entered the horticultural trade through imports made by the company Low and Co. in 1861, and was described by Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach in 1862 and dedicated to the horticulturist Hugh Low, who also served as colonial administrator in Labuan, Borneo.
Native to Borneo and the surroundings of the city of Moulmein, in the Tenasserim mountain area, in the delta of the Gyne, Salween, and Ataran rivers, it prefers substrates made of limestone rocks, from sea level up to 800 m altitude, with strong morning light but shaded in the afternoon. It can also occupy epiphytic stations on the branches of shrubs on rocky walls.
A distinctive feature of this species is the periodic loss of leaves. The leaves, 5 – 10 cm long, fleshy, obovate to oblong elliptical, acute or obtuse, with an imbricated base, grow on an erect, ascending stem and have a light green color with violet spots on the underside. Flowering occurs from summer to autumn on lateral, arching or pendent stems, 25 – 35 cm long, racemose or loosely paniculate, with many flowers spaced widely apart, protected by small triangular bracts. The flowers are fragrant, very persistent, and have a notably long rostrum shaped like a beak. The flowers measure 4 – 5 cm in diameter, impressing with their star shape and delicate texture. The outer petals and the two broad ascending petals have a white background with shades of pink to purple at the base, blending gradually towards the edges with the background color. The labellum is intensely violet with yellow spotting.
The species prefers low light, between 10,000 and 15,000 lux, and shaded locations during the afternoon. Being a thermophilic species, temperatures of 28 – 32 ℃ during the day and 24 ℃ at night will be maintained in summer, while in the cold season, the temperature should be increased to 31 - 35 ℃ during the day and 19 – 23 ℃ at night. Atmospheric humidity will be high, around 80% or higher, especially during the active growth period.
The recommended substrate for this species will consist of pine bark with a diameter of 12 – 16 mm, and plastic or ceramic pots with drainage holes can be used. In Asian countries, mounting on bark, cork, or wood is preferred, but this cultivation method requires more frequent watering. Substrate changes are usually done in spring, when new root growth can be observed.
Watering should be done weekly, keeping the substrate moist but not wet, and ensuring good ventilation. Fertilization will be frequent during the active growth period, applied weekly at each watering or every two weeks, with a dilution of 25 – 50% of the manufacturer’s recommended dosage.
Unlike most species, Phalaenopsis lowii requires a rest period, which in its natural habitat lasts about 3 – 4 months during the cold and dry season of the year. In cultivation, however, a rest period of one month is sufficient, and under no circumstances should it be extended beyond 2 months. During this period, humidity will be reduced to 60 – 65%, watering will be stopped and replaced by occasional misting, no fertilizers will be applied, and the light radiation level will be increased. Although the plants can withstand prolonged rest periods, during which leaf loss is possible, extending these periods under cultivation conditions is not recommended.
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