Phalaenopsis amboinensis is a botanical species described by J.J. Smith in 1911, native to Ambon Island, 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-sized species, preferring warm climates, developing in epiphytic stations.
The presence of elliptical or oblong-lanceolate leaves, up to 25 cm long, is notable. It blooms on curved lateral stems, up to 45 cm long, developed racemose or paniculate, with inflorescences accompanied by small bracts. The flowering duration is long-lasting, with the stems usually emerging at the end of winter or spring. The flower diameter is approximately 5 – 8 cm, with both petals and sepals shaped like a cup, with pointed tips, but wide enough for their edges to overlap at the base. The flowers have a cream to pale yellow or pale orange background color, streaked with 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 10000 – 12000 lux. Exposure to morning light is recommended. When the light is weak or the photoperiod is reduced (the species requires a minimum of 10 hours per day), Phalaenopsis amboinensis will slow its growth. In apartment conditions, supplementation with artificial lights is recommended.
The ideal growth temperature for this species will be in the range of 27-31 ℃ during the day and 22-23 ℃ at night.
The growth humidity for the species Phalaenopsis amboinensis, when cultivated in pots, will be 60 – 65%, or 75 – 85% when cultivated on bark plaques, but these values should be correlated with the type of substrate used and ambient temperature. It is worth mentioning that often, Phalaenopsis amboinensis has surprised growers with its adaptability, thriving in conditions very different from those in its natural environment.
The substrate used for cultivation will be represented by pine bark with a size of 12 – 16 mm, amended with components that help retain moisture, such as sphagnum moss, perlite, or charcoal, for better aeration of the substrate.
Irrigations will be abundant and frequent, taking into account the substrate used and the temperature, since Phalaenopsis amboinensis prefers high humidity throughout the year. It is recommended that the water used for watering be slightly warm or at room temperature. Before administering new irrigations, it is recommended to observe the roots and water only when they have a silvery color. Watering will be done in the morning to allow the roots to dry before evening, when the temperature is expected to drop slightly. Excess water will always be removed to prevent root rot.
Fertilizations will be carried out at concentrations of 25 – 50% of the dose recommended by the manufacturer, with their frequency being regular, either weekly or every two weeks. Fertilizations will be done after irrigation to avoid chemical burning of the roots.
During the winter period, the amount of water administered will be reduced, especially in cases where the temperature drops. Equally, during this period, fertilization is also recommended to be stopped. Repotting will be done when the development of new roots is noticed, with repotting frequency being about once every 2 – 3 years. If problems with the root system are noticed, immediate repotting is recommended.
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