The moth orchid was traditionally an expensive exotic that needed special care and growing at the nursery stage. However cultural break through in nursery practises, has halved the retail price. Phalaenopsis amabilis was very popular in Victorian times, with one specimen selling for 15 guineas in 1847, the equivalent of nearly £1000 at today’s prices! Phaleanopsis is pronounced phal-A-nop-sis, which means "resembling a moth" which is why it is known as the Moth orchid. The flower sprays have up to 15 large waxy flat oval-shaped flowers on long stems. Moth orchids originate in the tropical forests of Indonesia and Java which gives us a hint of its perfect conditions.
They need minimum night temperature of 16-19°C, and you can initiate flower spikes by reducing the temperature by 5°C for four weeks. After flowering, the spike should be cut down, if it is healthy, by two nodes (below the top two spent blooms). This will stimulate more flowers. Make the cut just above the third node down.
