Botanical species described by H. Witte in 1861, with the following valid synonyms: Phalaenopsis violacea f. coerulea, Phalaenopsis violacea f. alba, Phalaenopsis violacea subvar. alba, Phalaenopsis violacea var. alba, Polychilos violacea, Stauritis violacea, Stauropsis violacea. Endemic to the Andaman, Nicobar, and northwestern Sumatra islands, especially along watercourses, it grows as an epiphytic station, in low positions on tree trunks, on branches and lianas hanging over the water, in most low-altitude (100 – 150 m) humid tropical forests.
A small to medium-sized heat-loving taxon with pendulous growth, having a very short stem on which 3 – 4 elliptical leaves up to 25 cm long are inserted, obtuse, wavy, gradually narrowing towards the base. The flowers are very fragrant and appear in spring. Flowering is sequential, with flowers appearing successively, opening 2 – 3 at a time, on pendulous, robust, fractiflex stems about 10 – 12.5 cm long, with a flattened, zigzag rachis. The flowers are small, 3.5-5 cm in diameter, fragrant and generally violet in color. Some varieties may show green shades on the edges of the tepals.
The recommended growth light for the successful cultivation of the Phalaenopsis violacea species falls within the range of 16000 – 19000 lux, indicating a preference for low to moderate light. The recommended photoperiod is 12 hours/day during the warm season.
The ideal temperature during summer will be 25 – 29 during the day and 19 – 20 at night, while in winter it will drop to 20 – 22 during the day and 15 – 16 at night, these values indicating the species' preference for lower temperatures than those preferred by other Phalaenopsis species.
The humidity required for the successful growth of the Phalaenopsis violacea species is 60% if pot culture is chosen and 75% if bare root cultivation (as with Vanda species) or mounting on bark plaques is chosen.
Another cultivation method applicable to this species is placing it in transparent glass/plastic containers to facilitate monitoring of the roots and substrate. The growing medium can be conifer bark with a diameter of 2 – 4 cm or sphagnum. When mounting on wooden plaques, it is necessary to place a layer of sphagnum moss between the plaque and the plant roots.
It is recommended to water the plants as soon as drying, even partial, of the substrate is noticed, carefully monitoring the color of the roots. When it starts to become more silvery than green, it is a sign that the plants need watering. For specimens grown without substrate, daily watering may be necessary during the warm season, taking special care to remove excess water accumulated in the leaf axil area and the central stem area, as this can cause fungal diseases. During the warm period, plants will benefit from additional water administration by spraying, these treatments being applied in the afternoon to allow the plants to dry before nightfall.
Fertilizations should be done every 3rd watering, using 50% of the doses indicated on the packaging. These should be applied after watering to facilitate nutrient absorption and to prevent chemical burns on the roots.
For this species, a rest period is not necessary, Phalaenopsis violacea can bloom at any time of the year, especially between May and October. It is not recommended to cut the spikes after flowering is finished, as they tend to continue growing and rebloom over several successive seasons.
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