Orchids in Bloom | Phalaenopsis pulcherrima

As this is my first Orchids in Bloom post, I'd like to give a little bit of insight into the intended purpose of this particular series of posts: So here it is...

We all love orchids, right? You wouldn't be here if you didn't. I'm also guessing you have at least one orchid at home, or maybe like me... 200+ orchids at home. The problem is, that we tend to buy orchids for their blooms & many (read: almost all) tend to be fairly dull when not in bloom, especially when you have multiple phalaenopsis complex hybrids, which are arguable the most common orchids found in New Zealand stores & nurseries & all look virtually identical without their showy flowers - I'll get to orchids with beautiful foliage in a future post. In short, these posts are there to give you some ideas of what species or hybrids to look into if, like me, you are interested in having blooms year-round.

Each post will contain images of a particular orchid that is in bloom at the time of the post, a bit of info on the particular species or hybrid. As well as a link to its specific care in cultivation.

Phalaenopsis Pulcherrima

Blooming season: Summer-Autumn
Fragrant: Unfortunately not
Temperature: Warm-hot

This week's Orchid in Bloom is the Phalaenopsis pulcherrima (syn. Doritis pulcherrima). Sometimes called The Beautiful Doritis, this orchid is widely spread throughout South East Asia. While this species is usually listed as a warm-hot growing species, it seems to be doing very well in my bedroom here in Auckland.

In the wild, they usually grow in the shade of shrubs and bushes in sandy, well-permeable soil containing a mixture of organic debris. Though have also been found growing in cracks & crevices of rocks, growing in full sun.

This was its first blooming, so was exceptionally exciting for me and while it did lose the first two buds, I wasn't all that concerned as orchid blooms tend to better with each new season. 

I'm not sure which variety I have managed to get my hands on, so any ideas as to which I have here would be more than welcome. Leave a comment down below!