A well-known multispecific hybrid, for which both experienced collectors and amateurs show a special interest, Phalaenopsis Mini Mark , created by Breckingridge in 1992, impresses with its small to medium-sized flowers, with a predominantly white background, sprinkled with delicate orange freckles , arranged relatively radially, in tone with the orange-brick colored labellum. Mini Mark's parent species are Phal. philippinensis (50%), Phal. maculata (25%) and Phal. lobii (25%), the last two botanical species forming the hybrid known as Phal. Micro Nova, created in 1980. The leaves of this hybrid are medium in size, approximately 10-15 cm long, arranged alternately, and multiple flower stalks emerge from the internodal spaces, which can bloom at any time of the year, although the appearance of flowers is currently associated with the autumn-spring period, especially between the months of November and March. The flowering is durable, the flowers persisting for at least 3 months.

Phalaenopsis Mini Mark can be purchased here (link).

The light radiation requirements of this hybrid are permissive, as Phalaenopsis Mini Mark can be successfully grown both in strong diffused light and in partial shade. In general, plants can be placed without problems on the windowsill, regardless of their orientation. However, in the extremely hot days of the summer season, it is recommended to protect plants positioned in southern and western exposures, by placing them behind a curtain. Depending on the intensity of exposure to direct light, various sunburns can appear with various levels of severity.

The thermal values ​​belong to the warm register, as Mini Mark requires growing temperatures between 18-30-32°C, ideally 18-21°C. For the successful cultivation of this taxon in apartment conditions, it is necessary that the night temperatures are at least 3-4 °C lower than the daytime ones, the difference that occurs naturally in homes.

The optimal humidity should be between 50-70%, because at lower values ​​most plants will slow down their growth, the branching and development of the flower stems will stagnate, and finally, the plants will abort the buds and incompletely opened flowers. In this sense, it is recommended that at growing temperatures above 25°C, the level of atmospheric humidity should also be increased proportionally.

Remarkable about this spectacular hybrid is that it can be grown successfully both in pots with substrate and mounted on wooden boards. The preferred substrate is represented by conifer bark mixtures with sphagnum moss or just pure sphagnum moss, to which charcoal can be added, particularly useful for maintaining root development and preventing the installation of rot in the root system.

Changing the substrate is recommended every 2-3 years, because after frequent irrigation and fertilizing, the substrate will quickly degrade and compact, no longer loose and thus preventing air circulation. The compaction of the substrate leads to the suffocation of the roots, which once they die can no longer provide the necessary amounts of water and nutrients, thus leading to the degradation and death of the plants.

The optimal moment for transplanting is the period immediately following flowering, avoiding this operation in the cold season as much as possible. It is not recommended to transplant before flowering, as it is very possible that the plant will lose its flowers, and the developing flower stalks will stagnate.

Irrigations will be uniform throughout the year, with a frequency that will have to be determined depending on the environment and the way of culture. The excess water will have to be able to drain without impediments, as the stagnation of water both in the pots and in the trays can lead to the rapid degradation of the root system. It is recommended to allow the substrate to dry between waterings, and to check its depth, not just for the upper layer. For the warm season, it is recommended to spray water on the leaves, to increase the humidity of the air. Fertilization will be done once every 2 weeks, at concentrations of 25-50% of the doses indicated by the manufacturer. This hybrid does not require rest periods to stimulate flowering.

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