Phalaenopsis pulcherrima

The Beautiful Doritis

Phalaenopsis pulcherrima does not reward pollinators by producing nectar, unlike most other flowering plants. Instead, it elects to save its energy and flower simultaneously with other local nectar-producing flowering species. Pulcherrima are also rare within the genus for being lithophytic or terrestrial rather than epiphytic. The flowers vary in colour, from white and yellow to pale pinks and purples. There is also a blue variety; Phalaenopsis pulcherrima var. coerulea.

Overview

Common Name: The Beautiful Doritis

Subgenus: Parishianae

Distribution: Widely spread throughout Asia
Light: Bright shade
Temperature: Warm to hot
Water: Abundant Summer-Autumn, sparingly from Winter to early Spring
Size: Small
Flowering Season: Summer-Autumn
Flower size: Highly variable, mostly between 1.5-3cm across
Scent: None

Varieties:

• Phal. pulcherrima var. alba
• Phal. pulcherrima var. apiculata
• Phal. pulcherrima var. coerulea
• Phal. pulcherrima var. marmorata
• Phal. pulcherrima var. pulcherrima
• Phal. pulcherrima var. regnieriana

CULTURE

This species can be found growing both terrestrially or as a lithophyte anchored to rocks and in crevices. It can be grown in a wide range of potting media, though all must be well-draining.

In its natural environment, Phalaenopsis pulcherrima receives plentiful rainwater from late Spring to late Autumn and distinctly dryer periods during cooler months. Watering in home conditions should mimic this to our best ability while also taking care not to let the plant sit in water or for the medium to become soggy as this is likely to lead to root rot.

Phal. pulcherrima requires bright, filtered light. In nature, they are often found growing in the shade of bushes and other plants. However, it has also been found to grow in direct sun.

When fertilising, I recommend the usual 'weakly, weekly' (1/4-1/2 strength) method during active growth and reducing or eliminating fertilisation in winter. As with all phals, when using commercial fertilisers, be sure to flush out any excess salt build-up by running water through the pot once a month or so as the excess salts can desiccate or burn the roots.

Propagation is particularly easy as Phal. pulcherrima is a prolific basal keiki producer. Basal keikis don't drain energy from the mother plant in the same way as keikis growing on flower spikes because their roots grow straight into the media rather than aerially. Thus, they can either be carefully separated from the mother plant once they have several well-developed roots of their own or left alone. If keikis are left, this species will eventually form large clumps of plants and produce a mass of blooms each year.

BACK TO SPECIES LIST