Phalaenopsis gigantea is a native botanical species in the Sabah area (Merutai and Tiger Mountain) in northern Borneo, where it is considered a rare and endangered species.
It is also found on the western slope of the Crocker Mountains, in Sarawak and western Kalimantan. The species was recently rediscovered in its native forests in Java, growing easily at altitudes of about 150 m. A large epiphytic species that prefers warm to very warm climates, it has short stems completely covered by the overlapping basal sheaths of large, pendulous leaves, numbering 5 or 6, with a hairy appearance, glossy on both sides, elliptical to oblong-ovate, bluish-green in color. In wild specimens, the leaves reach 56 – 91 cm in length. The species can bloom at any time of the year, but the peak flowering period occurs in late summer and early autumn, on long, 15 – 40 cm racemose or paniculate, pendulous stems, with numerous flowers per inflorescence, and small triangular bracts. The simultaneously opening flowers are strongly fragrant, with a sweet aroma, measuring 3.8 – 7 cm in diameter, star-shaped with a fleshy texture. They can be greenish-white to yellow, with close brown or chestnut spotting. The labellum is white and has light red-violet spotting. If the stems are not removed after flowering, successive reblooming can occur on them for several consecutive seasons.
The growth light for Phalaenopsis gigantea is low, ranging between 8000 – 10000 lux, favoring shaded to heavily shaded locations.
The ideal temperature ranges between 28 – 32°C during the day, dropping by 7 – 9°C at night to values between 21 – 24°C.
The recommended humidity for successful indoor growth of this species should be between 70–75%. In its natural environment, values are higher, but indoors, humidity above 75% can increase the risk of fungal diseases.
Sphagnum moss can be used as a substrate, either dry, when it should be mixed with large bark pieces, or live sphagnum moss. In both cases, frequent fertilization is recommended, at least weekly, but at high dilutions, 25% of the values indicated on the bottle during summer, reducing to half (10-12%) in winter. Alternatively, foliar fertilization can be applied. A very useful tip is to position the pot at a 45-degree angle to ensure efficient drainage. It is recommended to change the substrate when new roots appear, but if possible, this operation should be avoided during the cold season.
The species Phalaenopsis gigantea should be kept at constant humidity throughout the year, using watering with lukewarm or room temperature water. It is recommended to water early in the morning and ensure efficient ventilation.
Apart from a slight temperature drop of 1–2 °C and reducing the amount of fertilizer, this species does not require a rest period.
Want to see more articles and gain more knowledge? This article is offered for free, but you can support secretgarden.ro with a review here:
Google: Google Review
Facebook: Facebook Review