Phalaenopsis amboinensis is a botanical species described by JJ Smith in 1911, native to the island of Ambon, Sulawesi, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Known synonyms for this species are Phalaenopsis amboinensis f. flavida, Phalaenopsis amboinensis var. flavida, Phalaenopsis hombronii, Phalaenopsis psilantha, Polychilos amboinensis. It grows in shaded areas, under trees, in humid forests, at altitudes between 0 - 400 m. It is a small species, with a preference for warm climates, developing in epiphytic stands.

Note the presence of elliptic or oblong lanceolate leaves, up to 25 cm long. It blooms on arched lateral stems, up to 45 cm long, developed in racemes or paniculate, the inflorescences being accompanied by small bracts. The duration of flowering is long, the stems usually emerging at the end of winter or spring. The diameter of the flowers is approximately 5-8 cm, having both petals and sepals in the shape of a cup, with pointed tips, but wide enough so that their edges can overlap at the base. The flowers have a cream background color to pale yellow or pale orange, furrowed by red-brown lines. The labellum is small in size.

The light radiation requirements for Phalaenopsis amboinensis are low, typical for representatives of the genus, falling within the range of 10,000 - 12,000 lux. Exposure to morning light is recommended. When the light is weak or the photoperiod is reduced (the species needs at least 10 hours a day), Phalaenopsis amboinensis will slow down its growth. In apartment conditions, supplementing with artificial lights is recommended.

The ideal growing temperature for this species will be between 27-31 ℃ during the day and 22-23 ℃ at night.

The growth humidity of the Phalaenopsis amboinensis species, in the case of cultivation in pots, will be 60 - 65%, or 75 - 85% in the case of cultivation on bark plates, but these values ​​should be correlated with the type of substrate used and ambient temperature. It is worth mentioning that many times, Phalaenopsis amboinensis has managed to surprise breeders with its power of adaptation, thriving in conditions much different from those in its natural environment.

The substrate used for the culture will be represented by pine bark of 12-16 mm caliber, amended with components that contribute to the preservation of humidity, such as sphagnum moss, perlite or coal, for better aeration of the substrate.

Irrigation will be abundant and frequent, taking into account the substrate used and the temperature, as Phalaenopsis amboinensis prefers high humidity throughout the year. It is recommended that the water used for watering be slightly warm, or at room temperature. Prior to the administration of new irrigations, it is recommended to observe the roots, and water them only when they have a silver color. Watering will be done in the morning, to allow the roots to grow until evening, when the temperature will drop slightly. Excess water will always be removed, to prevent rotting of the roots.

Fertilizations will be carried out at concentrations of 25-50% of the dose recommended by the manufacturer, their frequency being regular, either weekly or every two weeks. Fertilization will be done after irrigation, to avoid chemical burning of the roots.

During the winter, it will be decided to reduce the amount of water administered, especially in cases where the temperature will drop. Equally, during this period it is recommended to stop fertilizing. Replanting will be done when the start of the development of new roots is noticed, the frequency of replanting being once every 2-3 years. If root system problems are noted, immediate replanting is recommended.

Do you want to see more articles and accumulate more knowledge? This article is offered for free, but you can support secretgarden.ro with a review here:

Google: Review on Google

Facebook: Facebook review